THE EFFECTS OF VARYING LEVELS OF DIETARY SALT ON PERFORMANCE AND FAECAL PARAMETERS OF LATE PRODUCTION LAYERS

Abstract

This experiment was performed to investigate the performance and faecal parameters of laying birds fed different levels of dietary salt. Four experimental diets designated as: T1 (control diet with 0.25% Salt). T2 (0.50% Salt), T3 (0.75% Salt), T4 (1.00% Salt) were fed to late production layers. Data from the birds on weight gain, feed intake, mortality, egg production, egg weight and feed conversion ratio were collected while faecal parameters like faecal dry matter, faecal volume, faecal density, faecal consistency and percentage moisture content were also taken as response criteria. The results showed that the total egg .laid, average egg weight, feed conversion ratio and mortality of the experimental birds were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the dietary treatments. The hen-day production, hen-housed production, and total feed intake were influenced significantly (P < 0.05) by the treatment diets. The faccal volume, faecal weight and the faecal density of the experimental birds were not significantly different (P > 0.05) but faecal output, faecal dry matter, faecal consistency, faecal moisture and percentage faecal moisture varied significantly (P<0.05). It was observed that egg production was better conferred on the bird at 0.75% (T3) of dietary salt. Conclusively, this experiment showed that increase in the levels of dietary salt up to 0.75% could improve total egg production, livability and feed efficiency of late production layers. Increased faecal moisture, decreased faecal consistency and a predisposition to wet litter could result at levels above 0.75%.