Vol. 9, Issue 10, Part H (2025)

A study was conducted in 240 commercial layer chickens (BV-300) at 26 weeks age were randomly allotted to 10 treatments with 6 replicates and 4 layers in each replicate. The birds were raised in cage system under uniform management. A standard layer ration (CP 18%, ME 2600 kcal/kg diet) was offered to birds. The test compound, RDDGS was supplemented at different levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) with or without Cocktail enzyme supplementation @ 250 gm/ton of feed. Birds were aclamatised to respective treatment diets for a week (26^th week) before the commencement of the actual data collection. The feed and water should be provided adlib during the entire experimental period (4 periods of each 28 days from 27 to 42 weeks). Parameters such as egg quality parameters (Haugh unit, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, yolk colour, yolk index) were estimated at 4 weeks interval. The results revealed that the overall egg weight and egg mass was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 15% RDDGS with enzyme supplemented diets. There was no significant difference in Haugh unit and Albumen Index values in first (27-30 wks), second (31-34 wks), third (35-38 wks) and overall periods (27-42 wks). Whereas fourth (39-42 wks) period was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by Haugh unit and Albumen Index values. It was observed that in period-P3 (35-38 wks), period-P4 (39-42 wks) and over all period (27-42 wks) there was significant (p<0.05) difference in yolk index among different levels of treatment fed groups. Yolk colour was significantly higher (p<0.05) in RDDGS with enzyme (15, 10 and 5%) supplemented groups compared to other treatments throughout the period. The data on egg shell weight, shell thickness and shell percentage declared that there was statistically significant (p<0.05) difference was observed between control and various experimental groups. Between 27-42 weeks of age the mortality was within the limitation.