Direct-fed microbial on the health status, productive performance and internal egg characteristics of layer chickens under hot humid environmental conditions

Abstract

Dietary direct-fed microbial (DFM) and antibiotics supplementation on health status, egg laying performance
and internal egg characteristics under hot humid environmental conditions were studied. Three hundred (300)
layer birds at point of lay (22 weeks old) were used for the study in a completely randomized design. There
were four dietary treatments which are; Basal diet (BD), BD + DFM at the rate of 1.5 ml/kg, BD + antibiotics at
the rate of 10 mg/kg feed and BD + DFM+ antibiotics at the same rate as above. Feed intake was significantly
(p<0.05) lower for birds fed the DFM diet as compared with the control. However, body weight gain of DFM fed
birds was not negatively affected and was relatively more efficient in converting feed into body weight and
eggs. Hen-day and hen-housed production and egg shell thickness were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced
by dietary treatments. Eggs laid by birds fed DFM diet were significantly (P<0.05) heavier and consistent
throughout the experimental period. Serum and egg cholesterol concentration were significantly reduced by
DFM supplemented diet (64 and 409 mg) as compared with the control (75 and 483 mg), antibiotics (74 and 481
mg) and DFM+ antibiotics combined diet (70 and 430 mg). Intensity of yolk colour was higher for eggs laid by
birds fed DFM supplemented diet. It was concluded that DFM could be a suitable alternative to antibiotics
supplementation for improved health status and productive performance of layer chickens under hot and
humid environmental conditions.