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Use of dried carrot meal (DCM) in laying hen diet for egg yolk pigmentation |
A. C. Sikder, S. D. Chowdhury, M. H. Rashid, A. K. Sarker, S. C. Das |
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Abstract |
Dried carrot meal (DCM) prepared from fresh carrot was found to be a good source of xanthophyll (54 mg/kg) and moderate source of protein (188.3 g/kg) and energy (2,510 kcal/kg) with low level of fibre (80 g/kg). DM, EE and NFE content of DCM were 895, 35 and 661.7 g/kg respectively. The ingredient was used in laying hen diet to evaluate its pigmenting value for egg yolk. Thirty-two laying hens from Starcross strain were divided into four groups and fed four different diets: a control diet containing 62% ground wheat, a corn-based diet (50% ground yellw corn), control + 4% DCM and control +8% DCM. Use of DCM at 8% level in layer mash significantly improved yolk colour at 3rd, 6th and 9th week of supplementation in comparison with wheat-based control diet. This improvement was statistically similar to that obtained from yellow corn-based diet. DCM at 4% level also improved yolk colour score. Wheat-based diet significantly increased feed consumption compared to yellow corn and diet supplied with 8% DCM. Body weight gain, egg production, feed conversion were not significantly affected due to dietary addition of DCM and no mortality was observed during 63-day experimental period. Further works on DCM are suggested. |
Keywords:
DCM; Diet; Egg-Yolk; Pigmentation; Xanthophyll; Yolk Colour |
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