The birds were randomly assigned to caging units, 30 hens each, according to their egg
production which was similar among treatments. Each subcage unit (19 cm 19 cm 19
cm) contained two birds. Water and the diets were offered ad libitum throughout the
experiment. The bird house was lit for 17 h per day and its temperature was maintained
between 21–23°C. The experiment was run for 93 days.
2.3. Performance variables and egg quality
Body weights were recorded at the beginning and at the end of the study to determine
body weight changes. Feed consumption was measured weekly. The number of eggs and egg
weights were recorded daily. Egg quality measurements were conducted monthly using all
eggs of one day from all treatments. Egg quality was expressed in terms of shape index,
eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, albumen index, albumen weight, yolk index, yolk
weight, and specific gravity. Shape index was measured using a compass (MAUf, Poland).
Eggshell samples were taken from three locations (air cell, equator, and sharp end) using a
dial pipe gauge (Mitutoyo, Japan) to determine eggshell thickness. Specific gravity of eggs
was determined by using the saline flotation method described by Hempe et al. [15]. Salt
solutions were made in incremental concentrations of 0.005 in the range from 1.065 to 1.110.
The birds were randomly assigned to caging units, 30 hens each, according to their eggproduction which was similar among treatments. Each subcage unit (19 cm 19 cm 19cm) contained two birds. Water and the diets were offered ad libitum throughout theexperiment. The bird house was lit for 17 h per day and its temperature was maintainedbetween 21–23°C. The experiment was run for 93 days.2.3. Performance variables and egg qualityBody weights were recorded at the beginning and at the end of the study to determinebody weight changes. Feed consumption was measured weekly. The number of eggs and eggweights were recorded daily. Egg quality measurements were conducted monthly using alleggs of one day from all treatments. Egg quality was expressed in terms of shape index,eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, albumen index, albumen weight, yolk index, yolkweight, and specific gravity. Shape index was measured using a compass (MAUf, Poland).Eggshell samples were taken from three locations (air cell, equator, and sharp end) using adial pipe gauge (Mitutoyo, Japan) to determine eggshell thickness. Specific gravity of eggswas determined by using the saline flotation method described by Hempe et al. [15]. Saltsolutions were made in incremental concentrations of 0.005 in the range from 1.065 to 1.110.
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