Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
A Kirubakarn, T Sathya Bama and V Thavasiappan

Abstract:
A total of 144 single comb 'Forsgate' strain White Leghorn (SCWL) pullets of 27 weeks of age, belonging to the same hatch, and of uniform body size were randomized into 24 groups of 6 hens each. This experiment is a 2 X 3 factorial design consisting of two types of layer feeds namely, standard layer mash (control) and special designer egg layer mash (DELM); each with three levels of Basil (Ocimum sanctum) leaf meal (BLM) i.e. 0, 1 and 2 g/kg levels, viz., T₁ to T₆. Four replicates were randomly assigned to each of the six dietary treatments. The egg weight was significantly higher in birds fed DELM compared to the control. The BLM level had no effect on egg size.