Effects of Graded Levels of Alphamune G on Preformance of Growing Pullets to Laying Hens

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Alphamune G fed to growing pullets on their performance during laying. A total of one hundred and forty four (144) commercial black Harco pullet chickens made up of seventy-two (72) each of age 19 weeks old (group A) as well as age 15 weeks old (group B) were fed four graded levels of Alphamune G (0.00, 0.04, 0.05 and 0.06 % inclusion level). A factorial arrangement of four levels of dietary Alphamune G and two age groups were the treatments in a Complete Randomized Design. The study was conducted for 17 weeks, when the birds of each of group A and B attained age 36 weeks and 32 weeks, respectively. Laying pullets fed the control diet 0.00% had the highest value of egg weight, shell thickness and feed intake. Highest values for feed to gain ratio, feed per dozen eggs and feed cost per dozen eggs were observed in laying pullets fed 0.04% inclusion level of Alphamune G. The haugh unit, yolk index and weight gain were observed to have the highest value in layers fed 0.05%. Highest values was observed for % hen day production for laying hens fed 0.06% inclusion level of Alphamune G. In conclusion, among laying hens fed dietary levels of Alphamune G, birds fed inclusion levels of 0.06% performed the best in terms of production characteristics, egg quality and economic value compared to 0.04% and 0.05%.

Keywords: Alphamune G, Growing pullets, Laying hen, Production characteristics, Egg quality, Economic value