Effect of Phytase Enzyme Supplementation in Low Energy-Protein Layer Diet on Egg Quality Traits

Abstract

An experiment was carried out using 200 hundred Athulya birds divided into 10 treatments (T1-T10) to find out the effect of phytase enzyme on egg quality traits supplemented at 0, 500 and 1000 units/kg in low energy, low protein and low energy- protein layer chicken diets containing available phosphorus of 0.30 per cent from 21 to 40 weeks of age. A standard layer ration was offered to birds in T1. Experimental diets from T2 to T10 were formulated with two levels of crude protein (18 and 16 percent) and two levels of metabolisable energy (2600 and 2400 ME kcal/kg diet). During the laying period the data on egg quality traits viz. Shape index, shell thickness, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit score were measured at the end of every four week. The egg quality traits viz., Shell thickness, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit score showed significant (P<0.01) difference among treatments. However, shape index value did not reveal any difference.