<b>Annato seed byproduct used as a source of pigment in laying hen diets</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v29i2.207

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion of annatto (Bixa orellana L.) seed byproduct (ASB) in diets with sorghum on laying hens performance and eggs characteristics. A hundred and forty-four laying hens were randomly allotted to six treatments and six replications with four birds each. Treatments consisted of one diet based on corn and the five others based on sorghum with the inclusion of 0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2.0% of ASB. Feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion, yolk, albumen and shell percentages and Haugh units were not affected by the inclusion levels of ASB. However, yolk colour increased linearly as ASB increased in diet. The inclusion of 2% of annatto seed byproduct on laying hens diets based on sorghum improves egg yolk colour nearly 61.4% of that obtained with birds fed diet based on yellow corn.