The diet used in this study was calculated
to have sufficient nutrient components to meet the
recommended standard for laying hens (National
Research Council, 1994). The animals were
individually kept in cages, where water was
provided ad libitum. Twice-a-day feeding was
provided and fresh P. amaryllifolius Roxb. was
added to the diet and fed to the animals only in the
morning. The daily egg production, as well as the
feed intake, was recorded over four periods with
28 d in each period. Additionally, the eggs from
the last 3 d in each period were collected to study
the egg quality in terms of egg weight, specific
gravity, shell thickness, yolk color and Haugh unit
(Roush, 1981).