EFFECTS OF USING DRIED EGYPTIAN CLOVER AND ORANGE PEELS AS NATURAL FEED ADDITIVES ON EGG PRODUCTION EGG QUALITY AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF LAYING HENS

Abstract

The experimental work of the present study was carried out atthe Poultry Research Station, Poultry Department, Faculty ofAgriculture, Fayoum University. This experiment was conducted for11 weeks to study the effect of Egyptian clover dry leaves and orangepeels as natural feed additives (NFA) on laying hens. A total numberof 108 Hy- Line W- 36 laying hens 49 weeks old were used. Thehens were randomly distributed into 9 groups of 12 birds each. Eachgroup was subdivided into 12 replicates (one hen / replicate) andassigned randomly for one of the experimental diets.The experimental treatments were as follows:-1. Hens were fed the basal or control diet (D1).2. Hens were fed D1+ 0.2% Egyptian clover dry leaves (ECL).3. Hens were fed D1+ 0.4% ECL.4. Hens were fed D1+ 0.2% dry orange peel (OP).5. Hens were fed D1+ 0.4 % OP.6. Hens were fed D1+ 0.2% ECL+ 0.2% OP.7. Hens were fed D1+ 0.2% ECL+ 0.4 % OP.8. Hens were fed D1+ 0.4% ECL + 0.2% OP.9. Hens were fed D1+ 0.4% ECL+ 0.4 % OP.Results obtained could be summarized in the following:1- There were insignificant differences among treatments inproductive performance except, egg weight (EW). It is clear thatlaying hens fed diet 8 (containing 0.4 ECL+0.2 OP) had higherEW, whereas, those fed control diet had lower EW during theexperimental period (49 to 60 weeks of age).2- No significant differences in egg quality among all dietarytreatments except, yolk color, shape index% and Haugh unit. It isclear that laying hens fed diet 9 (containing 0.4 ECL +0.4 OP)had higher yolk color, hens fed diet 7 (0.2 ECL+0.4 OP) hadhigher shape index%, hens fed control diet had higher Haugh unit3- The results of serum constituents indicated that NFAsupplementation significantly affected triglycerides, AST andALT values.4- There is insignificant effects on immune response as a result toNFA supplementation was found in laying hen diets throughoutthe whole experimental period.5- Hens fed diet 2 (containing 0.20 ECL) gave the best economicaland relative efficiency values being 1.429 and 110.6 %,respectively followed by hens fed diet 7 (0.2 ECL+ 0.4 OP)(1.345 and 104.1%, respectively), diet 6 (0.2 ECL+ 0.2 OP) andthan by diet 5 (0.4 OP), all of which are superior compared tothe control diet. In conclusion, the best performance was seen when 0.20 ECLor 0.2 ECL+ 0.4 OP or 0.2 ECL+ 0.2 OP were incorporated as feedadditives in laying diets as it gave the best economical and relativeefficiency values.