Abstract
This experiment aimed at evaluating the effect of the dietary inclusion of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on the performance and internal and external egg quality of commercial layers. One hundred and twenty 25-week-old Hy-line Brown layers, with 1575 ± 91 average body weight, were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design with three treatments (control, 1.2% caffeinated coffee, or 1.2% decaffeinated coffee) of five replicates of eight birds each. The inclusion of 1.2% caffeinated coffee was calculated to supply 6mg caffeine per kg body weight, which is considered a moderate dose. The applied treatments did not influence (p>0.05) feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, Haugh units, yolk color or albumen and yolk percentages. The eggs of hens fed 1.2% caffeinated coffee presented lower (p<0.05) eggshell thickness and egg specific density. The eggs of layers fed 1.2% caffeinated coffee tended (p=0.0637) to present lower eggshell percentage. It was concluded that feeding caffeinated coffee to commercial layers does not affect their performance or internal egg quality; however, eggshell quality is impaired.
Highlights
Coffee is drunk all over the world and it is known for its stimulating effect
This study aimed at evaluating the possible stimulating effect of the dietary inclusion of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee on the performance and internal and external egg quality of commercial layers
A coffee dose of 6mg/kg body weight, considered moderate for humans, 7.59mg/g average caffeine content in Brazilian coffee brands (Camargo & Toledo, 1998), 100g/hen/day average feed intake (Guia de Manejo Hy-Line Brown, 2009-2011), and 1.5kg average body weight were the factors used to calculate the amount of caffeinated coffee to be included in the diet
Summary
Coffee is drunk all over the world and it is known for its stimulating effect. The consumption of low doses of caffeine (2mg/kg body weight) increases wakefulness, reduces drowsiness and fatigue, increases respiration and heart rates, and stimulated metabolism and diuresis (Braga & Alves, 2000). Due to the diuretic effect of caffeine (Rang et al, 2001), higher water consumption, which is directly associated with feed intake (Skinner-Noble & Teeter, 2004), would be expected. When associated with heat stress, layer feed intake may reach such low levels that their performance is impaired (Leeson et al, 2000), and the dietary inclusion of coffee could be beneficial. This study aimed at evaluating the possible stimulating effect of the dietary inclusion of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee on the performance and internal and external egg quality of commercial layers
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