Effect of Saline Drinking Water on Egg Shell Quality of Leghorn and Native Hens

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of sodium chloride from drinking water and feed intake on the quality of egs from laying hens. Four hundred and twenty native and white leghorn laying hens ranging from 36 to 43 weeks of age were used. Seven experimental treatments containing different levels of salt supplied by feed and/or drinking water were compared. Increasing salt intake by the addition of NaCI to drinking water or feed intake reduced shell thickness, shell ash and increased, the number of damaged eggs. Shell calcium was not affected hy added salt, however, the addition of salt to the food reduced shell-breaking strength. Breed differences influenced the traits studied, except for shell percentage and shell calcium. Sodium chloride intake from drinking water was more effective in reducing shell quality than salt from food