@article{article_1849385, title={Effects of Peat and Feather-Based Feed Additives on Digestive and Reproductive Organ Development in Adler Silver Laying Hens}, journal={Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi}, year={2026}, DOI={10.54975/isubuzfd.1849385}, url={https://izlik.org/JA75DP94NK}, author={Cara, Alla}, keywords={Sindirim organları, Ovidukt, Yumurtacı tavuklar}, abstract={The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of non-traditional organic feed additives derived from peat and feathers on the development of digestive and reproductive organs in Adler Silver laying hens. A total of 180 one-day-old hens were randomly allocated into three groups: a control group fed a basal compound feed, and two treatment groups receiving the basal diet supplemented with either a peat-based additive (1 kg/ton) or a feather-based additive (2 kg/ton). At 180 days of age, morphometric measurements of the digestive tract and reproductive organs were performed. Hens receiving both feed additives exhibited enhanced development of the digestive system, including increased length of the small intestine and duodenum compared with the control group. Furthermore, supplementation resulted in a significant increase in ovary mass and oviduct length, indicating improved reproductive system development and physiological readiness for egg production. No pathological alterations were observed in the examined organs, suggesting that the additives did not adversely affect the hens’ health status. The findings demonstrated that peat and feather-based organic feed additives can positively influence digestive and reproductive organs development in laying hens, highlighting their potential as alternative components in poultry nutrition strategies.}, number={1}