Effect of Dietary Supplementation with L-Arginine and Vitamin C on Reproduction Performance and Economical Efficiency for Matrouh Strain Hens under Egyptian Summer Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Author

animal production department, faculty of agriculture, benha university

Abstract

     The present work was aimed to study the effect of dietary L-arginine level, vitamin C, and their interaction between them on some reproductive performance and economical efficiency of Matrouh laying hens during the summer season. A 4X3 factorial treatment arrangement was carried out including four levels of dietary L-Arg (0.0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 g/kg diet) and three VC concentrations (0, 150, and 300 mg/kg diet). A total number of 108 Matrouh hens and 36 cocks (Egyptian local strain) aged 64 weeks were randomly distributed into twelve treatment groups (three replicate each). The results obtained showed non-significant (p < 0.05) effect in fertility percentages due to dietary L-Arg or VC supplementation through all the experimental periods. The interaction effects between dietary L-Arg and VC levels had a major influence (p < 0.05) on fertility percentage. Dietary L-Arg levels had significant (P<0.05) effects on the hatchability percentages of total eggs set and fertile egg during all periods of estimation. The VC supplementation didn't have any significant effects on fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs percentage. The interaction effects between dietary L-Arg and VC levels had a major influence (p < 0.05) on the hatchability percentages of total eggs set during all the interval periods.  In conclusion, it could be concluded that Matrouh laying hens supplemented diet with L-Arg at a level of 0.4 g and VC at a level of 150 mg/kg diet, seemed to be adequate to achieve the favorite results and is recommended.

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