JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Effect of feeding diet types containing Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) on gut and reproductive traits of pullets
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2025.655 | Article Number: F769E95C9 | Vol.11 (3) - June 2026
Received Date: 07 April 2026 | Accepted Date: 21 April 2026 | Published Date: 30 June 2026
Authors: Alausa, O. J.* , Alabi, S. J. , Ojo, R. O. , Akinlade, O. O. , Sangosina, M. I. and Ayandokun, J. O.
Keywords: poultry, layers, Feed type, follicle, pellets
In response to the growing concerns of the health of people worldwide, there has been increased pressure to find safe, natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production. The current experiment compared the impacts of the dietary inclusion and feed form of oyster mushrooms on the gut and development of the reproductive organs of the pullets. 320 fourteen-week-old pullets were randomly divided into four dietary treatments (8 replicates) in a 2 × 2 factorial layout that included 2 feed forms (mash and pellet) and 2 inclusion levels of oyster mushroom (0 and 1 g/kg). Each treatment had ten replicates of eight birds each. Reproductive organ parameters were assessed at weeks 16, 20, and 24 by slaughtering two birds per replicate. Data collected included oviduct length, follicle number, follicle weight, ovary number, and ovary weight. Results showed no observable reproductive organ development at week 16. At week 20, oyster mushroom inclusion of 1 g/kg (1.00 g) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced follicle weight compared to control (1.75g), while other parameters were not significantly affected. At week 24, feed form significantly (p < 0.05) influenced ovary number and ovary weight, with pellet-fed birds showing higher values (7.50) and (37.50g) compared to mash-fed birds. However, oyster mushroom inclusion had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on most reproductive parameters. It was concluded that pelletized feed enhances reproductive organ development in pullets, while dietary inclusion of Pleurotus ostreatus at 1 g/kg has a limited influence.
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