Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Soybean Hull on Production Performance and Nutrient Digestibility During Peak Egg Production Period with Different Phases in Laying Hens

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of soybean hull in the diet of laying hens on the production performance and nutrient digestibility during peak egg production period with different phases (phase-1=week 29 to 32, phase-2=week 33 to 36, and phase-3=week 37 to 40). One hundred and sixty golden misri (Brown) laying hens of age 28 weeks were brought for the experimental purpose and reared up to 40 weeks of age. All birds were divided into 4 groups with 4 replicate per group containing 10 birds per replicate and offered the corn-soybean meal diet with soybean hull (3,%, 6 %, and 9 %) respectively. Results showed that during all phases, feed intake and weight gain were (P<0.05) higher in the control group, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) was non-significant among all groups. Water intake during phase-1 was (P<0.05) higher in group D as compared to other treated groups while nonsignificant during phase-2 and 3. The average daily eggs production on weekly basis during phase-1 was calculated as non-significant while during phase-2 and 3 higher for the control group than all other groups. Hen day egg production (HDEP), mortality, and ash digestibility were recorded as non-significant, while nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and fat were recorded higher in the control group during all the three phases. It is concluded that the different levels of soybean hull in the basal diet resulted in lower production performance and nutrient digestibility than the control group.