Effect of supplementation of antistress agents in the ration on egg quality of pullets during summer
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Keywords:
Antistress agents, Egg quality, PulletAbstract
Egg type pullets (144) were housed in cages at 16 weeks of age and were randomly distributed into 4 groups at 18 weeks of age. Three group were fed rations supplemented with one of the antistress agents, viz. ascorbic acid @ 0.8 g, sodium bicarbonate @ 15 g or diazepam @ 0.4 mg per kg of diet. The fourth group was given the control ration. The experiment was conducted up to 40 weeks of age of birds. The experimental period extended from May to November. The laying period was divided into early (24 to 34 weeks) and peak (34-40 weeks) laying periods. The average maximum ambient temperatures in the cage house during these periods were 35.5 and 32°C, respectively. The egg quality was measured in terms of shape index, yolk index, Haugh unit and shell thickness. The diazepam supplemented group had highest shape index and lowest yolk index during the peak laying period. Supplementation of antistress agents improved the Haugh unit during the early laying period. Ascorbic acid supplemented group had lower shell thickness as compared to other groups during the peak laying period.
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