ERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS FED DIETS CONTAINING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF BIOTRONIC ® TOP FORTE (39-74 WEEK)

Abstract

Study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of combined organic acids and their salts with a phytochemical (Biotronic® Top Forte) as an alternative to the conventional antibiotics used in poultry production on the performance of laying hens. Five hundred and sixty seven (567) layers were used and were intensively managed. The layer hens were randomly assigned into seven treatment groups in a complete randomized design, with Biotronic® Top Forte included at 0, 100, 200, 300,400,500g and oxytetracycline at 0.8g/100kg in the diets representing T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7, Performance parameters were studied. Results from the study showed a significant (p<0.05) influence of Biotronic® Top Forte on FCR, total egg number, total egg
weight, %HHEP, %HDEP, feed cost/crate of eggs, feed cost/dozen eggs and egg quality characteristics. Birds on 500g Biotronic® Top Forte inclusion had better FCR (1.35), total egg number (251.79), total egg weight (17264.4g), %HHEP (99.91), %HDEP (99.91), feed cost/crate of eggs ( 282.98), feed cost/dozen eggs ( 113.19), egg weight (67.83g), yolk weight (16.81g), yolk height (18.63mm), yolk diameter (75.66mm) and haugh unit (78.50) when compared with birds on 0 inclusion, oxytetracycline and birds on lower levels of Biotronic® Top Forte.. Birds on diets containing 500g of Biotronic® top Forte inclusion reduced cost of egg production by 9.11% and had higher egg production (13.02%) when compared with birds on 0 inclusion diets, birds on diets containing oxytetracycline and birds on lower levels of Biotronic® Top Forte. It was concluded that 500g/100kg inclusion of Biotronic® top Forte could be used to replace antibiotics in diets of laying birds, to achieve better bird performance, reduced production cost and produce healthier poultry products for human safe consumption.