PRODUCTIVE, EGG QUALITY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF GIMMIZAH CHICKEN AS AFFECTED BY MAGNETIZED WATER OF DIFFERENT STRENGTHS

A total number of 120 28 week-old laying hens of Gimmizah strain were distributed among four treatment groups in a completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment and ten hens per replicate. The first group kept as a control group received non-magnetized tap water and the other groups received tap water exposed to different intensity of magnetic strengths 2000, 3000 and 4000 gauss respectively. Laying hens were housed in 12 floor pens (2 m × 1.2 m × 2 m) furnished with wheat straw. Laying hens on - 3000 and 4000 gauss magnetized water consumed significantly more feeds and all groups on the magnetized water had significantly better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control group. Egg weight and egg mass were significantly increased in groups supplemented with different strengths of magnetized water compared with the control group and albumen (%) and albumen dry matter (%) were significantly higher of groups offered 2000 and 3000 gauss tap water. Yolk (%) was significantly higher of group on 3000 gauss tap water compared to the control group. Shell thickness was significantly increased in group received 4000 gauss tap water compared with control group. Blood serum glucose and globulin were significantly increased in groups supplemented with 2000 and 3000 gauss water compared with the control group and group supplemented with 4000 gauss water. However, all groups supplemented with different strength of magnetic water had significantly decreased albumin/ globulin ratio. Serum phosphorus level, and blood pH increased. Triiodothyronine increased significantly in groups received magnetized water compared to control and the 2000 gauss group showed the highest response. Red blood cell count (RBCs) and haemoglobin (Hgb) were significantly increased in groups supplemented with 2000 and 3000 gauss water compared with control group.It could be concluded that productive performance, physiological response and egg shell qualityof Gimmizah chicken were improved due to offering magnetized water with 2000 gauss was adequate to provide the beneficial effects.