INTERACTIONS OF PLUMAGE CHROMATISM WITH DIETS CONTAINING PROBIOTICS AND ENZYMES ON ECONOMIC TRAITS IN DWARF LAYING HENS

Mating black and bar plumage hens with bar males seggregated into whit e, black, brown, dark bar and light bar chromatic plumage in the ratio of 1:2:2:3:1. Black pullets were 45 to 64 g lighter than other plumag e groups, but laid equal number of heavier eggs. White-feathered hens produced significantly (P<0.05) more eggs than plumage chromatic group s, but within coloured groups light bar hens were superior in egg prod uction. Plumage chromatism suppressed egg production as compared with white, bur improved weight of the eggs. Combination of probiotics and enzymes feeding (T5 treatment) supported heavier body weights in both black and bar groups. Black dwarfs were lower in body weight than bar, but responded more favourably to T5 dietary treatment for egg product ion. Dietary treatments and their interactions with plumage chromatism were significant for egg weight. Black hens laid eggs of similar size as that of the heavy bar contemporary under treatment T5. Feed consum ption to produce an egg was significantly influenced by dietary treatm ents and the interaction effects but by feed consumption per day. Blac k hens were more efficient in feed utilization than the barred dwarfs.