Formic acid in drinking water of layers

What is it about?

The laying hens that consumed drinking water with formic acid had greater egg production, egg weight and egg mass than the control. Similarly, feed conversion improved with the administration of formic acid in water. Haugh units, egg shell thickness and egg grading from hens consuming acidified water containing 1.0 or 1.5 mL L-1 were significantly greater than those from the control group. Formic acid had no effect on yolk colour. In addition, the geometric means HI titres against Newcastle disease of birds consuming water containing formic acid were higher on all sampling days than those consuming water without acid.

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Why is it important?

Previously, a few studies reported that organic acids such as fumaric, propionic and butyric acids and their salts have shown variable effects on egg production and egg quality . This inconsistency is related to the source, the amount of organic acids used, location, environmental condition and the composition of the diets. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding formic acid to the drinking water on egg production performance, egg quality parameters and immunity in older laying hens reared during the hot season.

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