Effects of basil (Ocimum gratissimum) leaf supplement on initiation of egg laying and egg quality parameters of growing pullets

The effect of dietary inclusion level of basil leaf supplement (BLS) on initiation of egg laying and egg quality parameters of growing pullets was investigated. Eighty four thirteen weeks old Nera Black growing pullets (GP) were acclimatized for two weeks, weighed and randomly allotted into four dietary treatments which contained 0, 5, 10 and 15 g BLS/bird in three days interval. Each treatment was replicated thrice with seven birds per replicate and the experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The birds were fed the same growers mash. Feed and water were served ad-libitum. Necessary drug and vaccination were administered. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparison was made using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The results of the experiment revealed that feed conversion ratio, albumen weight, hen-day production, shell calcium, yolk protein, initial time of egg laying and number of eggs laid were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by BLS, unlike shell weight, yolk weight, egg weight, egg shell thickness, haugh unit, yolk cholesterol and yolk index, which were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced. Results revealed that GP placed on 5, 10 and 15 g BLS, respectively, came into lay 13, 13 and 16 days earlier than those in control. The GP fed the BLS had the highest number of eggs laid which was averagely 29.24% higher than the control. The GP served 15 g BLS had 22.85% reduction in shell calcium compared the control. For initiation of egg laying in GP, it is advised to fed the birds 5-15 g BLS in 3 day interval. The BLS should be reduced to 5 g/bird in 3 days interval after one month into lay to minimize the reduction of shell calcium and loss of weight.