Utilização da alga Lithothamnium calcareum para poedeiras de linhagens leves

Abstract

This study was performed with the objective of assessing the effects of direct inclusion of 0%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% of the alga Lithothamnium calcareum in the diet, the age hen and interaction between these variables on the production and egg shell quality of laying hens in the second cycle. A completely randomized design was used with subdivided portions (inclusion level: 0%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% x age: 112, 114, 116 and 118 weeks of age) with 6 replications, 10 hens per experimental unit. Each replications of the experiment involved use of 10 Dekalb White hens lines with an age of 110 weeks, four eggs being collected during each period. Percentage of eggs, percentage of broken eggs, percentage of cracked eggs, egg weight; yolk weight, white weight, eggshell weight, specific gravity, percentage eggshell, shell thickness ; number of shell pores; percentage of mineral matter eggshell, percentage of calcium and phosphorus in eggshell were measured and means were compared by Scott-Knott 5% test. The inclusion level of the alga increased the percentage of egg, shell thickness, percentage of mineral matter eggshell and calcium and decreased percentage of cracked eggs and number of pores in the shell. The increasing age of the laying hens decreased eggs shell quality. It was concluded that inclusion levels of Lithothamnium calcareum increased production and egg shell quality.