Vol. 9, Issue 11, Part C (2025)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of Bacteriophage on the production performance of Rhode Island Red Laying Hens. A total of 120 Rhode Island Red laying hens were randomly divided into 5 treatment groups of 24 each, with three replicates in a completely randomised design. The included treatments were (i) T₁ (Control) without antibiotics and bacteriophages, (ii) T₂ was supplemented with antibiotic (Oxytetracycline@50g/q of feed) and T₃, T₄ and T₅, bacteriophage was supplemented at @0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 and ml/litre of drinking water, of drinking water, respectively. Dietary supplementation of antibiotics (oxytetracycline @ 25mg/kg diet) significantly (P<0.05) increased the HHEP (P<0.05) compared to the control group. Similarly, supplementation of bacteriophage (BAFACOL) @0.2 ml/L of drinking water to the laying hens significantly (P<0.05) increased egg production (P<0.05). Dietary supplementation of bacteriophage at all the levels of supplementation (0.2, 0.25 and 0.3ml/L) significantly (P<0.05) improved the FCR (g feed/g egg) compared to the control group. The findings of the present study suggested that supplementation of bacteriophage in the drinking water of laying hens can serve as a potent alternative to antibiotics.