Effect of dietary calcium and manganese levels on egg production performance of frizzle x WL layers
An experiment was conducted to study the response of graded levels of dietary calcium (2.5 & 3.0%) and manganese (50, 80 and 110 mg/kg) on egg production performance of frizzle x WL layers during 31- 47 weeks of age (112 days) through a 2 x 3 factorial experiment. Six experimental diets of desired calcium and manganese levels were prepared by supplementing limestone and manganese sulphate in desired proportion. Each of such diets was offered to 15 laying hens reared in individual cages. Daily egg production and individual egg weight were recorded. Weekly feed intake was recorded and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in terms of (feed intake/egg mass) and net FCR (Feed intake/egg mass –loss in body weight) were calculated. Body weight change was recorded on every 36 days interval of the experiment. Results indicated that the various egg production performance parameters viz. hen day egg production, egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, net feed conversion ratio and body weight change did not differ significantly due to either main effect or interaction of calcium and manganese levels in the diet. Therefore, it is concluded that a dietary level of 2.5% calcium and 50mg/kg manganese was found optimum for egg production performance in frizzle x WL layers.