Biological evaluation of developed supplement feed (DSF) for egg quality parameters in LIT (Himsamridhi) birds

The present study was conducted to analyse the effect of feeding diets containing different levels of Developed Supplement Feed (DSF) on egg quality and egg production traits in Low Input Technology (LIT) bird viz. Him-Samridhi (HS) under Confined Scavenging (CS) system of rearing. A total of 72 HS birds (23 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 3 dietary treatments with 3 replicates having 8-layer birds in each replicate. All the dietary groups were offered 20 gm corn per bird along with confined scavenging. Dietary treatments were T0 (control) group allowed confined scavenging while the treatment groups T1 & T2 were supplemented 10g and 20g/bird DSF respectively along with confined scavenging, for a period of 42 weeks. External egg quality parameters, internal egg quality parameters, egg yolk and albumin mineral profile and egg production traits were recorded using standard methods. Results showed that external egg quality traits as well as internal egg quality traits did not differ significantly by DSF supplementation except shape index. Albumen content was found numerically higher (5.1%) in DSF supplemented groups. Egg production trait like hen-day egg production (HDEP) was significantly (P<0.05) high in DSF supplemented treatment groups at all age groups examined (23, 40, 52 and 64 weeks of age). The mineral profile of egg was markedly influenced by DSF supplementation at 10 and 20 gm/ bird/ day. It was concluded that DSF supplement has the potential to improve egg quality traits, egg production and egg mineral profile and seems to be a potential feed supplement in LIT bird HS for producing eggs with high Se, Ca, Fe, Mn, K, Cu and Mg content in confined scavenging system of rearing.