The experiment was carried out to evaluate probiotic on laying hen performance and egg quality. The probiotic was fed from pullet phase and the effects were evaluate from 50 to 66 weeks. A completely randomized experimental design with four treatments (probiotic suplementation in pullet and laying phase, probiotic suplementation only in pullet phase, probiotic suplementation only in laying phase and no suplementation), and six replicates of eight birds each was used. The rations contained 15.50 and 17.00% crude protein and 2800 and 2750kcal metabolizable energy/kg respectively in pullet and laying phases. The results of feed intake (106.53, 110.81, 107.25, 109,72g), egg production (85.20, 83.66, 79.18, 81.94%), egg weight (59.84, 60.53, 61.11, 60.33g), alimentary conversion per dz (1.50, 1.59, 1.64, 1.61), and per kg (2.09, 2.19, 2.24, 2.22), shell thickness (0.387, 0.384, 0.386, 0.381mm), shell percent (9.44, 9.43, 9.37, 9.31%), Haugh unit (92.50, 93.14, 91.34, 91.57) and specific gravity (1.0856, 1.0851, 1.0850, 1.0839) did not indicate any treatment effect (P>0.05). The utilization of Bacillus subtilis as probiotic during pullet phase, laying phase or pullet and laying phases did not improve the performance and egg quality of laying hens from 50 to 66 weeks of age.
Bacillus subtilis; performance; probiótico; laying hen; egg quality
