Abstract
This study?s aim was to investigate the effects of age, light source type (light-emitting diode (LED), and compact fluorescent (FLO)), and cage tier on production performance and egg quality traits of layers reared in the enriched cage system. A total of 800 Nick Chick White layers were used in the study. A total of 800 eggs were used for egg quality traits at 25 and 45 weeks of age. The enriched cage tiers were coded as I, II, III, and IV from bottom to top. Layer age significantly affected egg mass, hen-day egg production rate, hen-house egg production rate, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, damaged egg ratio (P < 0.05), egg weight, shape index, shell thickness, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, yolk color index, albumen ratio, yolk ratio, and shell ratio (P < 0.001). The higher egg mass, egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell thickness (P < 0.001), dirty egg ratio (P < 0.01), and lower FCR, yolk color index (P < 0.01), shell ratio (P < 0.01) were found in the FLO group when compared to the LED group (P < 0.05). Highest body weight was found in cage tier I at 45 weeks of age (P < 0.001). Level of cage tier significantly affected 50% egg production age, egg mass, hen-day egg production rate, hen-house egg production rate, and dirty egg ratio (P < 0.01). Level of cage tier significantly affected 5% egg production age, FCR, and shape index (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the hens in the FLO group were better than the LED group in terms of some production and egg quality traits.
Highlights
Poultry farming has grown tremendously in terms of egg yield and quality in recent years, it still contains many administrative factors that need to be investigated for optimum performance
In this study, the aim was to evaluate the effects of age, LED and FLO light source type, and cage tier on production and egg quality traits of layers reared in the enriched cage system
There was a linear increase in the light intensity of cage tiers I to III, while there was a slight decrease in the IV cage tier
Summary
Poultry farming has grown tremendously in terms of egg yield and quality in recent years, it still contains many administrative factors that need to be investigated for optimum performance. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the effects of age, LED and FLO light source type, and cage tier on production and egg quality traits of layers reared in the enriched cage system.
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