KAYA, Adem Atatürk Üniversitesi - Ziraat Fakültesi - Zootekni Bölümü, Turkey , KAYA, Hatice Atatürk Üniversitesi - Ziraat Fakültesi - Zootekni Bölümü, Turkey , GÜL, Mehmet Atatürk Üniversitesi - Veteriner Fakültesi - Hayvan Besleme ve Beslenme Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , ÇELEBİ, Şaban Atatürk Üniversitesi - Ziraat Fakültesi - Zootekni Bölümü, Turkey

Effect of Organic Acid Mixture Supplementation at Different Levels to Diet of Laying Hens in Late Production Stage on Performance, Egg Quality Features and Intestinal pH

28825

This study was conducted to determine the effects of organic acid mixture (OAM) (70% propionic acid, 5% citric acid, 25% soft acid) supplementation at various levels on performance, egg quality features and intestinal pH in late production stage of laying. Total 96 Lohman layers, 74 weeks old age, were divided into four groups. Each treatment group was replicated 6 cages and each containing 4 hens. The hens were fed either a control diet or supplemented with 1.5 (P1), 3 (P2) or 4.5 (P3) kg/ton OAM of feed for 13 weeks. Dietary OAM supplementation significantly decrased cracked egg yield and increased egg weight, but did not affect feed intake, egg production and feed conversion ratio. OAM supplementation significantly decreased the intestinal pH. Egg quality indices as shape index, shell thickness, shell weight, yolk color, albumen index and Haught unit were not affected statistically by dietary OAM. Supplemented 4.5 kg/ton OAM in layer diet increased yolk index and shell strenght and significantly decreased intestinal pH of treatment groups. Results obtained from present sutdy showed that supplementation of 4.5 kg/ton OAM to diets of late production stage laying hens can be beneficial to improve egg quality tarits especially such as shell strenght.

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Organic acid , Layer , Performance , Egg Quality , Intestinal pH

Journal Of Agricultural Faculty Of Atatürk University

41