S. H. Khan and R. Sardar

Poultry Research Institute, Punjab, Murree Road, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi,46300, Pakistan

Abstract

    Sixty layers (50 weeks of age) each of native Desi, Fayoumi and commercial White Leghorn (Nick Chick) were kept in wire cages following completely randomized design for 8 weeks during summer season (June and July). The birds of each type were divided into two groups i.e. with and without supplementation of vitamin C with three replicates assigned to each layer group (10 birds in each replicate). The vitamin C (C-vit fort) was added at the rate of 5 ml/5 liter in drinking water throughout the experimental period in respective layer group. The results indicated that the mean egg production, egg weight and egg shell thickness improved (P<0.05) with supplementation of vitamin C in all layers. The average feed consumption of three types of layers was also improved (P<0.05) with supplementation of vitamin C. The blood picture showed that the concentration of ascorbic acid was higher (P<0.05) in groups supplemented with vitamin C. However, the concentrations of blood enzymes (ALP, SGPT and SGOT) were lowered (P<0.01) with vitamin C supplementation in all types of layers. Based on the findings of the present study, it was concluded that vitamin C supplementation was effective in improving performance of layers under heat stress conditions. 

Key words: Desi, Fayoumi, commercial White Leghorn, vitamin C, egg production, enzymes.