Abstract
ABSTRACT The possibility of using mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) stem waste (FVW) in layer diets was explored in this study. A total of 180, 40-week-old ISA Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to 5 groups, with 6 replications of 6 birds for each group. Layers were fed a standard basal diet as control; antibiotic (0.05% flavomycin); 2% FVW; 4%FVW; and 6% FVW. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed on hen daily egg production, egg weight, egg mass, unmarketable eggs, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and live weight among experimental groups. Haugh unit was found higher (p 0.05) by feeding FVW in this study. Yolk color was found higher (p<0.05) in FVW fed groups than in control and antibiotic groups. The shell color was higher (p<0.05) both in 4% FVW and 6% FVW fed groups than in control and antibiotic groups. Calcium retention and calcium in egg shell deposition were higher (p<0.05) both in 4% FVW and 6% FVW fed groups than in control and antibiotic groups respectively. Apparent nutrient retention for dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, and organic matter were higher (p<0.05) in FVW fed groups than in control and antibiotic groups. FVW at 6% level in layer ration can be used for organic eggs production which would be safe and sound for human consumption.
Highlights
Commercial poultry production is ranked among the highest source of animal protein in the world
There were no significant (p>0.05) differences on hen day egg production, egg weight, egg mass, unmarketable eggs, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency (FCR), and live weight among experimental groups during the entire 8 weeks study period (Table 2), which ensured the fact that feeding mushroom stem waste (FVW) in layer had no adverse effects on optimum laying performance
Similar findings were reported by Na et al (2005) who observed that inclusion of F. velutipes media at 5 to 10% in layer diets had no significant effects on egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio (FCR)
Summary
Commercial poultry production is ranked among the highest source of animal protein in the world. Antibiotic feed additives have long been used as growth promoters in poultry nutrition (Mahanta et al, 2017). The extensive use of antibiotics in poultry industry with the purpose of increasing production performance has led to human health hazards. Poultry feeds containing natural herbs increase being considered as feed supplement in poultry diets as well as strong substitutes to antibiotics (Park et al, 2014; Mahanta et al, 2017). Since the last few years animal researchers are searching for herbal feed resources which have no health hazard on improving poultry production (Dhama et al, 2015; Laudadio et al, 2015).
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