Indian Journal of Poultry Science

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of chitin and L. acidophilus in the diet on performance of layers. One hundred and forty-four commercial layers were weighed, wing banded and randomly allotted to nine treatment groups with two replicates having eight layers for each replicate. These experiments were carried out on 3 x 3 factorial arrangements with three levels of chitin (0, 2.5 and 5 g per Kg feed) and three levels of Lactobacillus acidophilus (0, 1 and 2 g per kg feed) incorporated in basal diet of layers from 25 to 40 weeks of age (data shown from 37–40 weeks of age). The supplementation of chitin did not influence the body weight gain, feed consumption and egg qualities (shape index, albumen index, yolk index and yolk colour) whereas L.acidophilus significantly (P < 0.01) increased the body weight gain but not the feed consumption and egg qualities (shape index, albumen index, yolk index and yolk colour). The supplementation of chitin, L.acidophilus and their combinations resulted in a significant improvement in feed efficiency. Chitin significantly decreased hen day egg production, egg weight and shell thickness and L.acidophilus supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased hen day egg production, egg weight and shell thickness.