USING THREONINE, CANTHAXANTHINAND SODIUM SULPHATE AS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION FOR IMPROVING EGG PRODUCTION IN LAYING HENS IN POST PEAK PERIOD

This study examines the hypothesis that threonine(THR),canthaxanthin (CAN)and sodium sulphate (SS)supplementation can improve the performance of commercial Lohmann Brown (LB) laying hens in late egg production period (44 – 56 wks).A total number of 120hens at 44 weeks old were separated into eight groups, each with five replicates (3 hens) and kept in wire cages. The experimental hens were fed a control diet without or with 2 g THR /kg, 3 ppm CAN, 2 g THR/ kg + 3ppm CAN, 5 g SS/kg, 2 g THR/ kg +5 g SS/kg, 3 ppm CAN+5 g SS/kg and 2 g THR/ kg+ 3ppm CAN+5 g SS/kg from 44 to 56 weeks of age. All feed additives used in this study numerically increased egg number (egg/hen/day) compared to hen fed the control diet. The addition of THR+CAN+SS significantly increased egg mass /day by 8.10% compared to the control diet. All feed additives used in this study increased egg shell thickness, serum total protein and antioxidants capacity compared to the control diet. The mixture of the three feed additives increased shell thickness by 15.15% compared to the control diet. The mixture of THR+CAN+SS was the most successful additive in this study.