Mohammad Reza Jamali; Mohammad Reza Ghorbami; Ahmad Tatar; Somayyeh Salari; Morteza Chaji
Volume 18, Issue 1 , April 2016, , Pages 107-118
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of Purslane powder and its effects on performance, egg quality and reproductive system parameters of laying hens. One hundred and twenty laying hens (Leghorn, Hy-Line W-36) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments ...
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Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of Purslane powder and its effects on performance, egg quality and reproductive system parameters of laying hens. One hundred and twenty laying hens (Leghorn, Hy-Line W-36) were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates. Hens received diet supplemented with different levels of Purslane powder (0, 1, 2 and 3 percent) for 8 weeks. The results of these expriments showed that gross energy, crude protein, ether extract and crude fiber contents of Purslane samples were 2921.67 (Kcal/Kg DM), 22.28 (percent), 3.99 (percent) and 9.47 (percent) of DM, respectively. The AME and TME values of Purslane powder were 1864.70 and 1956.08 Kcal/Kg DM, respectively. Performance parameters of the laying hens were not affected by inclusion different levels of dietary Purslane powder in the diet. Shell strength, shell thickness, egg yolk color, ovary and oviduct weights, the number of large yellow follicles and the weight of largest follicle showed significant increase (P< 0.05) in treatments containing Purslane as compared to control group. According results of this experiment, use of Purslane powder in laying hens diet can improve quantitative traits of eggs and reproductive parameters. Therefore, Purslane powder can be used in the diets of laying hens at three percent.