EFFECT OF FEEDING A LATHYRUS TOXIN ON EGG WEIGHT, EGG PRODUCTION AND EGG MALFORMITY IN LAYING CHICKEN

Beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN)-a Lathyrus toxin was fed to laying chicken to investigate effects on egg weight, production and malformity. Two feeding trials were conducted where the levels of BAPN varied from 0.1 to 0.6 g per kg diet. The responses with regard to egg weight, egg production and the incidence of malformed eggs due to varying concentrations of the toxin were recorded and the results on weekly changes in these important variables were evaluated by plotting graphs. The results showed that there were increasing trends in egg weight and egg shell abnormalities and a decreasing trend in egg production as the dietary level of BAPN was increased indicating that the responses of layers were dose dependent. The effects on egg weight, egg production and egg malformity disappeared following withdrawal of the toxin from the diets.