Cará flour (“Dioscorea trifida” L.) on performance, egg quality and serum biochemistry of commercial laying hens

SUMMARY This study was developed with the objective of to evaluate the performance, egg quality and biochemical parameters of increasing levels (0; 5; 10; 15; 20 e 25%) of cará flour in diets for laying hens. 144 birds Hissex White with 39 weeks of age were used. The experiment had duration of 84 days divided into four periods of 21 days. The experimental method was complete randomized with six treatments and four replications of six birds each. The estimates of cará flour levels were determined by polynomial regression. The results of feed intake, egg production, feed conversion (per dozen eggs and per egg mass), and egg mass showed significant differences (P<0.05) observed quadratic effect. The egg quality variables weren’t influenced significantly (P>0.05) by the treatments. Significant differences were observed (P<0.05) in blood triglyceride and pH concentrations showed quadratic effect. From the results, concludes that the cará flour can be used as an alternative food in diets for laying hens, with the inclusion level of 5% showed great results of performance and serum biochemistry. At 25% of inclusion, there wasn’t change in egg quality.