Annatto seed by-product in diets containing sorghum for commercial laying hens

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of including annatto seed by-product (ASB) in diets containing sorghum on nutrient utilization, performance and characteristics of the eggs of laying hens. A total of 288 Lohman Brown laying hens, 34 weeks of age, were distributed in completely randomized design with six treatments and six replications of the eight birds each other. The treatments consisted of a diet with corn as an energy source and other with sorghum and inclusion of 0, 25, 45, 65 and 85 g/kg of ASB. Comparing the results, increasing levels of RSU did not affect the metabolizability of nutrients, and utilization the energy of the feed. It was also observed there was no effect on the performance and parameters egg quality, except for yolk color. There was a significant linear increase in yolk colour with inclusion of ASB. We concluded that the annatto seed by-product can be used at levels up to 85 g/kg in laying hen diets containing sorghum as the main source of energy, with the possibility of reducing yolk pigmentation problems, caused by the total substitution of corn by sorghum, with the inclusion of ASB from 25 g/kg.

Coloração da gema e análise sensorial de ovos de codornas europeias (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) alimentadas com ração à base de sorgo com adição de farelo de urucum (Bixa orellana L.)

“…Studies seek to determine optimal levels of inclusion of annatto seed meal in the diets of laying hens (MELO et al 2021) and broiler chickens (PARENTE et al 2018, LUIGGI et al 2020) in order to improve the quality characteristics of the generated products. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are few studies with the inclusion of annatto seed meal in the diets of quails (PIMENTEL-MANI et al 2020), especially in relation to yolk color and sensory analysis of common quail eggs.…”