Sexual Maturity and Performance of Pullets Fed Different Preparations and Concentrations of Brown Marine Algae (Sargassum Dentifebium) in Pre-Laying and Early Laying Periods

Abstract

The effect of brown marine algae (BMA; Sargassum dentifebium) as alternative feed source for pullets was studied in three processed and at three concentrations in the pullets from 14-42 weeks. The processing forms were sundried brown marine algae (SBMA), sundried and boiled brown marine algae (BBMA) and sundried and autoclaved brown marine algae (ABMA). The concentrations of BMA were 2%, 4% and 6% that composed 10 treatments along with control. Each treatment was replicated 6 times using 30 pullets per treatment. Different criteria on pullets and eggs, including feed intake, body weight, feed conversion efficiency, laying rate and egg mass and quality were studied. Results indicated that BMA could be used up to 6% in the pullets diets from 14 to 42 weeks without adverse effects (P≥0.05) on sexual maturity (139-142 days), laying rate (80.7-87.9%), egg mass (44.99-51.86 g/hen/day), feed conversion ratio (2.468-2.868 kg feed/kg egg) and Haugh unit (82.9-90.6) and shell percentage (8.61-9.87%). Furthermore, egg yolk color and calcium content in eggshell were improved (P≤0.05) by 12.31% and 9.1%, respectively.

Key Words:

• Pullets
• Brown marine algae
• Preparing ways
• Egg production and quality

Acknowledgments

The author would like to express his appreciation for the financial support (Research Project N. AR-27-69) provided by King AbdulAziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia.