The influence of effective microorganisms (EM) on the growth, production and egg quality of the commercial laying hen

Abstract

In the first part of the study an experimental design was followed whereby 600 DeKalb Amber-link® commercial laying pullets were subjected to three levels of EM bokashi (0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%) and a standard level of a coccidiostat in the starter (17% CP, 0.9% Ca and 0.4% available phosphate) and grower (15% CP, 0.8% Ca and 0.35% available phosphate) diets from day-old to 16 weeks of age. EM treatments did not significantly affect the average weekly body mass, average daily gain, average weekly feed intake, cumulative weekly feed intake, cumulative feed conversion ratio and the average bi-weekly shank length over the control. The coccidiostat treatment maintained significant lower body weights, average daily gains and worse feed conversion ratios than all the EM treatments and the control throughout the trial period of 16 weeks. Although not significant the EM 1.5% level had the best feed conversion ratio, the highest body mass and the longest shank length at the end of the trial period at week 16. Mortalities were not treatment linked.