PERFORMANCE AND EGG QUALITY OF LAYING HENS FED VARYING DIETARY  LEVELS OF CALCIUM SOURCE

N. W.  ANIZOBA; N. E.  IKEH; I. E.  UZOCHUKWU; B. C.  AMAEFULE; S. O. C.  UGWU; N. S.  MACHEBE

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.4569

Authors

N. W. ANIZOBA University of Nigeria Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria
N. E. IKEH University of Nigeria Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria
I. E. UZOCHUKWU University of Nigeria Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria
B. C. AMAEFULE University of Nigeria Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria
S. O. C. UGWU University of Nigeria Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria
N. S. MACHEBE University of Nigeria Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4569

Keywords:

Periwinkle shell, Limestone, Egg quality, Performance, Laying hens

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the performance and egg quality of hens fed varying levels of calcium source. A total of seventy- two (72), sixteen (16) weeks old laying hens (weighing 1.2 +_ 2.00kg) were randomly assorted into six (6) treatments groups: T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 with twelve (12) birds per
treatment in a completely randomized experimental design with a 2x3 factorial arrangement .Two calcium sources (limestone, L and periwinkle shell, PS) were supplemented in the diets at different levels. The birds in T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 were fed basal diets of varying calcium (Ca) levels namely: 3.0% L,
3.75% L, 4.5% L, 3.0% PS, 3.75% PS and 4.5% PS for a period of twelve weeks. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, hen day egg production, haugh unit, albumen height, egg shell weight, egg shell thickness, shape index, shell percentage, egg shell weight per surface area, specific gravity and albumen
index were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T4, T5 and T6 compared to T1, T2 and T3 . Based on the results obtained from the present study, it was possible to conclude that 3.75 calcium levels was appropriate for laying hens and the inclusion of periwinkle shell in layers ration as calcium source is more beneficial than limestone.