Effect of dietary supplementation of germinated maize on laying performance and egg parameters in Kadaknath layers

Abstract

Kadaknath is a renowned Indian poultry breed known for its superior meat quality. However, it has certain drawbacks, including low egg production, slow growth rate, smaller body size, and delayed sexual maturity. To enhance growth and improve meat and egg production, various feed additives such as antibiotics, probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, hormones, and medicinal plants have been used. One effective method to boost nutrition is grain germination. Currently, maize serves as the primary energy source in poultry diets. Germination enhances the nutritional value of grains by breaking down complex compounds into simpler, more digestible forms while reducing the impact of anti-nutritional factors. In an experiment, 128 day-old Kadaknath female chicks from the same hatch were selected. Upon arrival, they were weighed and randomly assigned to four treatment groups—T0, T1, T2, and T3. Each group was further divided into four replicates of eight chicks each. The T0 group served as the control, while T1, T2, and T3 were provided with germinated maize at 50%, 75%, and 100% of the total cereal component, respectively. The results showed that supplementing diets with 50% and 75% germinated maize significantly improved laying performance and increased egg production. All egg quality parameters showed notable enhancement, leading to better economic returns. This approach proved particularly beneficial for backyard farmers raising Kadaknath birds, offering a cost-effective and efficient feeding strategy.