A total number of 60 Hy-line W36 hens at 18 weeks of age were used in an experiment lasted 33 weeks were randomly assigned to each of three feeding treatments (20 / treatment). The experiment aimed to study the effect of feeding diets polluted with aluminum on laying hens. The first treatment was fed the basal diet as a control, while the other two treatments were fed basal diet supplemented with 500 or 1000 ppm aluminum (Al) as aluminum chloride (Al.Cl3.6H2O).
Results obtained could be summarized as follows:
Aluminum (Al) at 500 or 1000 ppm levels recorded decreased in body weight and body weight change at the end of the experimental period.
Egg production, egg number and egg mass for hens treated with supplementation of Al recorded decreased during the experimental period.
Feed intake differ statistically (P<0.05) among the different feeding groups. Feed conversion ratio recorded a non significant difference between groups.
Egg quality expressed as egg yolk percentage were increased (P<0.05), while egg shell, yolk index and Haugh units recorded a non significant difference between groups.
Aluminum concentration in egg yolk, albumen and eggshell over those of the control group, while Al concentration lower than that of eggshell.
The negative effect of various Al supplement a non significant increase in percentage of liver, spleen and abdominal fats, while gizzard and heart percentage recorded a significant differences (P<0.05) compared to the control group.
Aluminum causes significantly (P<0.01) increased Al in muscleand bone, while liver, heart and gizzard were not significant recorded increased as compared to the control group.
Digestibility of OM, CP, CF and EE were significantly varied (P<0.05) among the experimental groups.
The results of this study indicate that when layer hens diet is polluted with aluminum, it is toxic and causes a heavy losses in egg industry and causes negative effects on productive performance, utilization of nutrients, body weight gain, egg production, egg quality. There is a possibility of hazardous effects on human health and animal health from feeding polluted diets, eggs and meat or generally, from environmental pollution.