Effect of borax decahydrate and phytase enzyme supplementation in layer hen diets on performance, bone strength and egg quality characteristics

The effects of dietary addition of borax decahydrate (BDH) and phytase enzyme to layer hen diets on performance, egg quality characteristics, and bone strength were investigated in this study. A total of 168 Atak-S laying hens at 25 weeks of age were randomly distributed into four treatment groups with seven replicates, each consisting of 6 birds. Throughout the 8-week trial, each group was fed their assigned experimental diets. The control group received only the basal diet, while the treatment groups' feeds were supplemented with 500 IU phytase per kg, 50 mg borax decahydrate per kg, and a combination of both additives, respectively. Within the scope of the research, daily feed intake, egg production rate, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio were recorded; weekly external and internal egg quality analyses were performed. Furthermore, breaking strength measurements and mineral content analyses were conducted on the femur and tibia bones. At the end of the study, the highest egg yield (88.9%) and daily egg mass (59.6 g/hen/day) were obtained in the BDH+phytase group (P<0.05). In the same group, the average egg weight also reached 61.4 g, showing improvement in both internal quality and shell properties. Additionally, this group had the lowest feed consumption (126.0 g/hen/day; P<0.05) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (2.24 g/g; P<0.01), thus demonstrating increased feed utilization efficiency. In the Phytase and Phytase+BDH groups, femur breaking strength increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.01). Femur diameter was found to be higher only in the BDH group and was statistically different from the other groups (P=0.002). However, no difference was observed between the groups in terms of femur weight and length (P>0.05). The highest Ca and P levels in the femur were determined in the phytase+BDH group. Furthermore, both phytase and BDH applications significantly increased these minerals compared to the control group (P<0.01). Boron accumulation was detected highest in the phytase and phytase+BDH groups (P<0.01). Overall, borax and phytase supplements supported bone mineralization in laying hens, improved external egg quality criteria, and emerged as a potential strategy that could contribute to sustainable animal production.