Effects of dietary fiber on performance and egg quality of laying hens at pre-laying and laying peak

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary fiber on the performance and egg quality of laying hens at pre-laying and laying peak periods. The experimental period was divided into three periods: pre-laying (16 to 19 weeks of age), the start of laying (20 to 22 weeks of age) and laying peak (23 to 28 weeks of age). The experimental design was completely randomized with treatments constituted by five levels of fiber (2.00, 2.50, 3.00, 3.50, and 4.00%) in the diets, with five replicates (pens) of six birds each, totalling 180 hens. Performance and egg quality results were evaluated by polynomial regression at 5%. Fiber levels were not influenced (p >0.05) the first laying of the hens. However, levels above 2.50% of fiber provided worst (p