GROWTHf LAYING PERFORMANCE AND EGG QUALITY TRAITS OF "NAPRI COMMERCIAL LAYERSff ON DEEP LITTER AND IN CAGES

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the growth, laying perfromance and egg quality traits of a commercial layer strain developed by the Nationah Animal Production Research Instutite (N.A.P.R.I.), ahmadu Belico University, Zaria. The birds were reared on deep litter to point of lay after which some were transfemed to cages while allowing the rest to continue on deep lifter for the laying phase. The birds were fed a commercial layers mash ad libitum. The results showed a high prelaying growth rate and body weight (1382 g) at
sexual maturity, early sexual maturity (132 d) and relatively lower rearing mortality (1.35 %), The feed intake of the birds and feed conversion (feed:gain) were low-when compared with what obtained in other commercial layers, Comparison of results of egg production rate, weightd feed efficiency (feed/dozen eggs) and laying house mortality of "NAPBI Commercial layers on deep litter and in cages showed the superiority of cage over deep Bitter .housing systems, There was no significant difference in teams of egg quality traits (shell thickness, yolk index and Haugh unit) bemeen the two housing systems. "MAPRI Commercial Lagers" compared favourably well with other commercial layers in all the parameters mentioned