Abstract :
A 10-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the performance, egg qualities, and hematology of layers fed diets containing sun-dried sweet orange peel meal (SOPM). A total of 140 Isa brown point of lay birds, aged 20 weeks were used for the experiment. SOPM was incorporated to replace 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% maize. The birds were randomly assigned to the diets in a Completely Randomized Design; each diet group had 28 birds and 4 replicates with each replicate having 7 birds. Observed results showed that SOPM did not significantly (NS) (p>0.05) affect final weight and egg number. However, weight change, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality, cost of 1 kg feed, and cost of feed consumed were significantly different (P < 0.05) among treatments. Egg weight and egg length were significantly (P < 0.05) different, which ranged from 56.18 to 58.73 g and 3.74–4.17 cm, respectively. Shell thickness and egg width were NS (P > 0.05) influenced, and ranged from 0.80 to 0.84 and 2.63–2.71 cm, respectively. Internal egg parameters, i.e., yolk width, yolk height, albumin weight, albumin length, and yolk index were significantly (P < 0.05) affected. Hematological profile (packed cell volume, hemoglobin, white blood cell, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, lymphocyte, and neutrophil) of birds showed significant differences (P < 0.05). The study revealed that SOPM did not have an adverse effect on the performance of layers even at 40% replacement of maize while in lay. Its inclusion decreased the cost of feed linearly, did not compromise external and internal qualities of eggs or the health of the birds.
Keyword :
Key words: Hematology, performance, point of lay, serum