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Effect of level and size of stone grit on the performance and egg quality parameters of Shika brown layers reared under the deep litter system
Abstract
A total of 306 point of lay ShikaBrown layers were used to investigate the effect of level and size of granite stone grit on the performance and egg quality parameters of the birds. Three levels of stone grit (0, 5 and 10
grammes per bird per month) and two sizes (2mm and 5mm) were investigated in a 3 x 2 factorial design experiment making a total of 6 treatments. Each of the treatment was replicated three times with 17 birds
per replicate. Feed and water were given ad libitum throughout the experimental period which lasted for four months. The stone grits were added to the feed in the feeders at the beginning of every month. The
feed was a normal layer diet of 17% crude protein and 2600 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Results obtained showed that both levels and size of stone grit had significant influence on productive performance and egg
quality parameters of the birds. Birds fed diets containing 5g with 5mm sized stone grit performed better than those fed diets with other levels and sizes of stone grit in most of the important parameters such as percent henday, hen housed and feed conversion efficiency as well as economic parameters such as feed cost per 10 eggs, per dozen eggs, per kg eggs, per crate of eggs and income above feed expenses (IAFE). Egg quality parameters were not significantly (P<0.05) different between birds fed 10g and 5g stone grit but these were significantly (P<0.05) better than birds fed diets with 2g grit. The result showed that for optimum performance and egg quality parameters of ShikaBrown layers 5g of 5mm sized stone grit should be fed extraneously in the diets of the birds every month.
grammes per bird per month) and two sizes (2mm and 5mm) were investigated in a 3 x 2 factorial design experiment making a total of 6 treatments. Each of the treatment was replicated three times with 17 birds
per replicate. Feed and water were given ad libitum throughout the experimental period which lasted for four months. The stone grits were added to the feed in the feeders at the beginning of every month. The
feed was a normal layer diet of 17% crude protein and 2600 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Results obtained showed that both levels and size of stone grit had significant influence on productive performance and egg
quality parameters of the birds. Birds fed diets containing 5g with 5mm sized stone grit performed better than those fed diets with other levels and sizes of stone grit in most of the important parameters such as percent henday, hen housed and feed conversion efficiency as well as economic parameters such as feed cost per 10 eggs, per dozen eggs, per kg eggs, per crate of eggs and income above feed expenses (IAFE). Egg quality parameters were not significantly (P<0.05) different between birds fed 10g and 5g stone grit but these were significantly (P<0.05) better than birds fed diets with 2g grit. The result showed that for optimum performance and egg quality parameters of ShikaBrown layers 5g of 5mm sized stone grit should be fed extraneously in the diets of the birds every month.
