Effects of choise feeding using a separate protein-mineral concentrate and wheat with or without enzyme on performance and egg quality in layer hens

This study was carried out to examine the effects of protein-mineral concentrate, wheat and enzyme usage on egg yield and quality parameters in choise-feeding laying hens. In the experiment, 90 Atak-S layer hybrids at the age of 23 weeks, developed by Ankara Poultry Institute, were used. Treatment groups consisted of a standard layer feed control, a high protein low-energy concentrate, and the KB group where coarsely ground wheat will be given choise in separate feeders, and it was formed from 3 treatment groups with 2 replications, consisting of KBE groups added with an enzyme containing 3.000 FTU/kg phytase, 1.720.000 VU/kg 1-3 β-glucanase and 2.500.000 VU/kg 1-4 β xylanase to wheat, which is optionally offered . As a result of the experiment, egg production was affected by using wheat in choise-feeding and egg weight was affected by choise-feeding (P<0,01). The amount of feed consumed per chicken was also affected by the use of wheat in choice-feeding (P<0,05). While the use of wheat in choice-feeding caused a decrease in these factors, the use of enzymes led to better results compared to the KB group. Feed conversion rates were not statistically affected in all groups (P>0,05). Albumin weight, eggshell weight and eggshell thickness were affected by the use of wheat in choice-feeding, and the use of enzymes had a curative effect on these criteria (P<0,05). The difference in egg yolk color between all groups was statistically significant (P<0,01). There was no statistical difference between all groups in quality parameters such as albumin percentage, albumin index, haugh unit, eggshell percentage, breakage strength, yolk percentage, yolk weight, yolk-white ratio, yolk index and shape index (P>0,05). Finally, while the production cost and net profit of an egg were similar values in the control and KB group, the profit increased in the enzyme group as the cost decreased considerably.