Dietary Inclusion of Kulitis (Amaranthus viridis) to Enhance Laying Hens’ Egg Quality

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Kian Matthew S. Del Mundo, Lagro High SchoolFollow
Mike Luigi G. Mario, Lagro High SchoolFollow
Kirsten Khyla C. Zarate, Lagro High SchoolFollow

Document Types

Paper Presentation

School Code

N/A

School Name

Lagro High School

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Tamayo, Ma. Kristine E.

Abstract/Executive Summary

Philippine poultry manufacturers choose selectively bred hens over native hens in commercial egg-laying operations due to the native hens’ lower egg production and lower egg weights. As such, it was decided to ascertain whether including 15% Kulitis (Amaranthus viridis) leaves in the hen diet can enhance egg quality, specifically overall egg weight, yolk color, and eggshell thickness. Two 26-week-old Darag hens weighing 1 kg were selected and fed standard feed (untreated hen) and Kulitis-infused feed pellets (treated hen) for 21 days. Water was given ad libitum. The first five eggs laid by each hen were collected and evaluated for overall egg weight and eggshell thickness, and the colors of the yolks were labeled utilizing the DSM Yolk Color Fan’s hex color codes and their corresponding DSM values (1-16). Independent Samples T-test showed that the Kulitis-infused feed pellets increased egg weight and darkened the yolk color significantly (P<0.05), while eggshell thickness was not significantly affected (P>0.05). Overall, Kulitis-infused feed pellets enhanced overall egg weight and yolk color without affecting eggshell thickness.

Keywords

Kulitis leaf; feed additive; overall egg weight; eggshell thickness; yolk color

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Food, Nutrition, and Health (FNH)

Initial Consent for Publication

yes