The Effects of Oyster Shell Supplementation to diet on Egg Shell Quality and Serum Calcium Level in White and Brown Layer Hybrids
2 Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Biyoistatistik Anabilim Dalı- ANKARA - This study was carried out to investigate the effects of extra-dietary supplement oyster shell on the external egg quality and serum Ca level in laying hens hybrids. A total of 480 Hy-line W36 and 480 Isa Brown hybrids which were 22 weeks old were used. Each of hybrids was divided into two groups, one of them was experimental group and the other one was control group.
According to feeding manuel of hybrids, Hy-line W36 hybrids were fed with 4% Ca diet and Isa Brown Hybrids were fed with 3.6% Ca diet. Experimental groups from each hybrid received oyster shell with ad libitum, while the control groups were given no oyster shell in their food. Egg weight, egg shape index, breakage strength, shell weight, shell thickness were measured during experimental period which were lasted six weeks. The data were collected one week interval. Serum Ca levels of hens from all groups were also determined.
Statistical analyses showed that there were significant differences between experimental and control groups of Hyline W36 hybrids in terms of egg weight (P<0.01) and breakage strength (P<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the other parameters investigated in hybrids (P>0.05).
As a conclusion, the diet supplemented oyster shell ad libitum had positive effects on eggshell quality and egg weight of Hy-line W36 hens.
Keywords : Laying hybrid, Oyster shell, External egg quality, Serum Ca level