Poultry Studies 2009, Vol 8, Num, 1     (Pages: 010-014)

Effects of Prebiotic (Mannan Oligosaccharide) Supplementation into Laying Hen Diets on the Hen Performance, Egg Ouality, Organ Weights, Jejunum pH and Hatching Results

Züleyha KAHRAMAN 1 ,Cengizhan MIZRAK 1 ,Engin YENİCE 1 ,Zafer ATİK 1 ,Muhammet TUNCA 1

1 Tavukçuluk Araştırma Enstitüsü Müdürlüğü – Ankara - Effects of different levels of dietary mannan oligosaccharide (MOS)(0,0.5 and 1.0 kg prebiotics/tondiet)in laying hen diets on the performance, egg quality, some organ weights, jejunum pH and hatchabilily results were investigated. 55-weeks old Barred Rock I brown egg layer breeders were used' in the trial. The experimental period lasted 12 weeks. The diets used in the experiment were isonitrojenicand isocaloric containing 16% crude protein and 2700 kcal ME/kg. There were no significant differences among treatments in performance criteria (P>0.05). Shell breaking strength increased significantly in prebiotic supplemented groups compared to control diet (P<0.05). Shell thickness also increased significantly by prebiotic supplementation at 0.5 kg level (P<0.05). Albumen hight'and Haugh unite increased significantly with 1.0 kg prebiotic supplementation (P<0.01). Similiarly, prebiotic supplementation at 0.5 kg increased egg yolk coloration (P<0.05). Most organ weights were not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). However, heart weight was found higher at the 1.0 kg group than other groups. Relative heart weights were significantly higher in 0.5 and 1.0 kg prebiotic supplemented groups. Jejunum pH was not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). There were no significant differences between treatments for hatchability results (P>0.05). Depending on data obtained it can be concluded, that prebiotic supplementation at level 1.0 kg, increased the egg quality significantly. Keywords : Laying hens, performance, egg quality, hatchability, prebiotic