Effects of various feed forms on some gut bacteria and subsequent effects on productivity, egg quality, and intestinal morphology in indigenous laying hens

Abstract

Background: Local hen layers play a crucial role in egg production and the poultry industry. Optimizing their performance, egg quality, and overall health is of paramount importance. Aim: This research aims to examine the effects of different feed forms on gut bacteria and subsequent effects on productivity, egg quality, and intestinal morphology in indigenous laying hens. Methods: Forty-five hens aged 73 weeks were randomly distributed into three treatment groups, each with three replicates of 5 chickens in ground cages. The dietary treatments included 100% mash diet (T1), 50% mash + 50% pellet diet (T2), and 100% pellet diet (T3). Results: Compared to the mash-fed group (T1), birds in the pellet and mixed-diet groups (T2 and T3) exhibited significant improvements (P ≤ 0.05) in productive performance and egg quality. Furthermore, there were significant reductions (p [Open Vet J 2024; 14(11.000): 3080-3088]

Keywords

• local laying hen
• feed form
• productive performance
• intestinal morphology
• microbial content