COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF OYSTER MUSHROOM (PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS) EXTRACT ON GROWTH AND EGG PRODUCTION OF BIRDS IN TWO HOUSING SYSTEMS

This study evaluated the effects of oyster mushroom extract on the growth and egg production performance of egg-type chickens reared under two housing systems. A total of 192 thirteen-week-old pullets were randomly allotted to two housing systems (battery cage and deep litter) and four inclusion levels (0, 10, 20, and 30 ml/litre of water) of oyster mushroom extract derived from Pleurotus ostreatus. The experiment followed a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design, with three replicates of eight birds per treatment. Data on growth and layingperformance were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance. Results showed that pullets reared on deep litter had significantly higher (p < 0.05) feed intake (826.70 g/bird), weight gain (484.20 g/bird), and final body weight (1620.80 g/bird) compared with those housed in battery cages during the growing phase. However, the inclusion levels of oyster mushroom extract did not significantly (p > 0.05) influence growth performance indices. During the laying phase, birds housed on deep litter recorded a significantly higher (p < 0.05) age at first lay (145 days) and average feed intake (117.20 g/bird/day) than those in battery cages. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in average egg weight at point of lay, average body weight at culling, weight gain, and feed conversion expressed as kilogram feed per dozen eggs at the 10 mL/L inclusion level in the battery cage system. Overall, housing system influenced growth performance, with birds on deep litter showing better growth indices and feed efficiency per dozen eggs. However, housing system and inclusion levels of oyster mushroom extract did not significantly affect hen-day production or the total number of eggs produced during the experimental period.