Effect of perches and solid sides on production, plumage and foot condition of laying hens housed in conventional cages in a naturally ventilated shed

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
PC Glatz ◽  
JL Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Hot Weather

The effect of modified cages on production, shell quality, feather cover and foot condition was measured in 2 Australian commercial laying strains housed in a naturally ventilated laying shed from 18 to82 weeks of age. Two cage modifications were investigated. Firstly , the inclusion of a perch within the cage, and secondly, the installation of solid sides. Compared with normal cages, installation of a perch in a cage reduced food intake (5.3%) and liveweight (4.5% at 82 weeks) and improved feather cover around the vent (feather score of 2.15 to 2.66). This was offset by a decrease in egg production (2.4%), shell weight (1.5%) and thickness (11%), an increase in cracked (53.8%) and dirty eggs (28.9%), and an increase in claw length (9.2%). Relative to control cages, the provision of solid sides in cages improved overall feather cover of hens (feather score of 2.46 to 2.67), but there was a 54.5% increase in hen mortality during a period of hot weather. Additional modifications to the cage are required to optimise the benefit of perches. Similarly, improvement in ventilation and cooling in naturally ventilated sheds are required to maximise the benefits of solid-sided cages for hens and avoid heat stress.

scholarly journals The Response of Layer Hen Productivity and Egg Quality to an Additional Limestone Source when Offered Diets Differing in Calcium Concentrations and the Inclusion of Phytase

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2991
Author(s):  
Isabelle Ruhnke ◽  
Yeasmin Akter ◽  
Terence Zimazile Sibanda ◽  
Aaron J. Cowieson ◽  
Stuart Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
The Impact

Laying hens require substantial quantities of calcium (Ca) to maintain egg production. However, maintaining recommended dietary Ca through inclusion of limestone may impede nutrient digestibility, including that of other minerals. It was hypothesized that providing a separate source of dietary Ca in the form of limestone grit would preserve Ca intake of hens offered diets containing suboptimal Ca concentrations. Furthermore, the impact of dietary phytase at a “superdosing” inclusion rate on the voluntary consumption of limestone grit was evaluated. One hundred and forty-four laying hens (19 weeks of age) were assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement comprising three dietary Ca concentrations (40, 30, and 20 g/kg) and ±dietary phytase (3500 FYT/kg diet) on an ad libitum basis for six weeks. Limestone grit (3.4 ± 1.0 mm) was provided to all hens ad libitum. Hens offered diets containing phytase consumed significantly less limestone grit p = 0.024). Egg weight, rate of lay, and egg mass were unaffected by dietary treatment (p > 0.05). Egg shell weight % (p < 0.001), shell thickness (p < 0.001), and shell breaking strength (p < 0.01) decreased in line with dietary Ca levels. In summary, dietary superdosing with phytase reduced the consumption of a separate limestone source in individually housed, early lay ISA Brown hens. Egg shell quality variables but not egg production worsened in line with lower dietary Ca levels.

scholarly journals Dietary Germinated Paddy Rice and Stocking Density Affect Egg Performance, Serum Biochemical Properties, and Proteomic and Transcriptomic Response of Laying Hens Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

Proteomes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Tossaporn Incharoen ◽  
Sittiruk Roytrakul ◽  
Wirot Likittrakulwong
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Protein Profile ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Paddy Rice ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Transcriptomic Response

Germinated paddy rice (GPR) could be a good alternative feed source for poultry with stocking density and heat stress problems. A total of 72 Hy-line Brown laying hens raised under low (LSD, 0.12 m2/bird) and high stocking densities (HSD, 0.06 m2/bird) were investigated. Three dietary GPR levels (0, 74 and 148 g/kg) were used. It was found that average daily feed intake, hen-day egg production, and egg mass significantly decreased in the HSD group. The levels of serum glucose (GLU), phosphorous (P), corticosterone (CORT), total Ig, lysozyme (LZY), and superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) in the HSD group were higher than those in the LSD group. Dietary GPR significantly affected GLU, P, alternative complement haemolytic 50 (ACH50), total Ig, and LZY. Moreover, CORT level significantly decreased in 74 and 148 g/kg dietary GPR groups, whereas SOD significantly increased only in the 148 g/kg dietary GPR group. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and 8607 proteins were identified. Proteome analysis revealed 19 proteins which were enriched in different stocking densities and dietary GPR levels. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR technique was successfully used to verify the differentiated abundant protein profile changes. The proteins identified in this study could serve as appropriate biomarkers.

Assessing the response of hen weight, body composition, feather score, egg quality, and level of excreta nitrogen content to digestible balanced protein intake of laying hens

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kumar ◽  
C. Raginski ◽  
K. Schwean-Lardner ◽  
H.L. Classen
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
N Content ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Level Of Significance

Ideally balanced dietary protein is critical for laying hen egg production and feed efficiency, but also affects other important characteristics. This research was designed to study the nonegg production and feed intake response of Lohmann-LSL Lite hens to 550, 625, 700, 775, and 850 mg d−1 of amino acid balanced digestible lysine (Dlys) from 27 to 66 wk of age. Data collection included hen weight (HW), feather scoring, tissue weights, egg specific gravity, egg component weights, and excreta nitrogen (N) content. The experiment was a completely randomized design and level of significance was fixed at P ≤ 0.05. Hen weight (quadratic, Q), pectoralis muscle (absolute, % – Q), and abdominal fat (absolute – linear, L; % – Q) increased with increasing Dlys intake. Although gastrointestinal segment weights and lengths were affected by Dlys intake, interpretation of results was confounded by other aspects of diet composition. Hen feather score (L) and excreta N content (Q) increased, and egg shell quality (L) decreased with increasing Dlys intake. Absolute egg component weights increased with Dlys intake, but effects on proportional weights were Q and relatively minor. In conclusion, balanced Dlys intake affected a variety of practical nonproduction characteristics in laying hens.

ON THE PHOSPHORUS REQUIREMENTS OF CHICKENS FOR EGG PRODUCTION AND HATCHABILITY

1959 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. F. Pepper ◽  
S. J. Slinger ◽  
J. D. Summers ◽  
G. C. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Weight Maintenance ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Dicalcium Phosphate ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Clear Cut

An experiment was made in an attempt to determine the availability of the phosphorus in soft phosphate as compared with that in dicalcium phosphate for laying hens fed a diet of natural ingredients. A high efficiency "all-vegetable" diet containing 0.38 per cent total phosphorus and an estimated 0.11 per cent nonphytin phosphorus was fed without added phosphorus and with sufficient dicalcium phosphate or soft phosphate to supply 0.05 and 0.1 per cent phosphorus. The calcium content of all diets was kept constant at 2.4 per cent.The results indicated that the inclusion of supplementary phosphorus did not improve egg production or feed required per dozen eggs. Differences were not demonstrated in body weight maintenance, egg weight, specific gravity of the eggs, hatchability, or bone ash at the end of a 44-week period of production.The results suggest the possibility that egg weight loss after 14 days’ incubation may have been influenced by supplementary phosphorus. Evidence for this effect was not clear-cut and more work appears desirable in this connection.It is concluded that it is not possible to assay feed phosphates for laying hens with diets of natural ingredients. It would also appear that a level of 0.38 per cent total phosphorus and 0.11 per cent nonphytin phosphorus is adequate for laying hens.Supplementation of an "all-vegetable" laying diet with Vigofac did not improve egg production, feed efficiency, egg weight, egg-shell quality or hatchability.

scholarly journals A simple way to reduce heat stress in laying hens as judged by egg laying, body weight gain and biochemical parameters

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Şahin ◽  
O. Küçük
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase ◽  
Feed Withdrawal

This study was designed to test the effects of feed withdrawal and darkening on the performance, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and some blood serum metabolite and mineral concentrations of laying hens reared at high ambient temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 °C. Ninety, 16-week-old hens (Ross Brown) were divided into 3 groups, 30 hens each. The first group was used as control. Hens in the second group (feed withdrawal) were subjected to feed removal from 14:00 to 18:00, and hens in the third group (darkening) were subjected to light restriction from 14:00 to 18:00 using black curtains. Liveweight, feed intake, and egg production were higher (P < 0.01) in the feed withdrawal and darkening groups, particularly in the darkening group, than in the control. Water intake was higher in the control group compared with the feed withdrawal and darkening groups (P < 0.01). T3, T4, and TSH concentrations in the serum were higher (P < 0.01), whereas ACTH serum concentration was lower (P < 0.01) in the feed withdrawal and darkening groups compared with the control. The haematocrit was higher in the feed withdrawal and darkening groups compared with the control (P < 0.01). Darkening and feed withdrawal treatments increased serum glucose, urea-N, uric acid, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, Ca, P, Na, and K concentrations, also the activities of amylase and alkaline phosphatase, but did not influence the activities of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). The present study found that feed withdrawal and darkening, particularly darkening, at high temperatures during the summer months offer a good management practice to reduce heat stress related depression in feed intake and egg production in laying hens.

Influence of peeling and inorganic calcium concentration on the utilisation of giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) corm meal by laying hens

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Diarra ◽  
I. Wamekeni ◽  
A. Vunagilee ◽  
H. Lavaka ◽  
T. Finau
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Shape Index ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Calcium Source ◽  
Main Effects

The effects of peeling and limestone flour level on the utilisation of Alocasia macrorrhiza corm meal (ACM) by laying hens were investigated. Maize-based diets with two concentrations of limestone flour (40 and 60 g/kg) and diets containing 200 g peeled and unpeeled ACM meal/kg with the same levels of limestone flour were fed to five replicate pens containing 10 20-week-old Shaver brown pullets (1635 ± 148 g), each for 105 days. Results showed no interaction or main effects of ACM or limestone concentration on feed intake, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion efficiency, egg shape index, surface area and Haugh unit (P &gt; 0.05). Feeding whole ACM with 40 g limestone/kg diet reduced hen-day production and shell thickness (P &lt; 0.05) but this was overcome by increasing limestone concentration to 60 g/kg diet. Peeled ACM with both concentrations of limestone flour maintained laying performance and egg quality. We concluded that feeding 200 g whole ACM depresses egg production and shell quality in laying hens, but increasing dietary limestone concentration overcomes this adverse effect. The concentration of limestone flour in the diet has no effect on laying performance. Higher inclusion levels of ACM, calcium source and level that will maintain laying performance and reduce feed cost need to be investigated.

scholarly journals Optimal dietary concentrations of vitamin C and chromium picolinate for alleviating the effect of low ambient temperature (6.2 degrees C) on egg production, some egg characteristics, and nutrient digestibility in laying hens

2001 ◽  
Vol 46 (No. 9–10) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sahin ◽  
K. Sahin
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Chromium Picolinate ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Haugh Unit ◽  
Low Ambient Temperature

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) on egg production, some egg characteristics, and digestibility of nutrients in laying hens (Hy-Line) reared under a low ambient temperature (6.2&deg;C). Two hundred and ten laying hens (32 week-old) were divided into seven groups, 30&nbsp;hens per group. The treatment groups were designed in a 2 &times; 3 factorial arrangement using two levels of vitamin C (125 and 250 mg/kg of diet) and three levels of chromium picolinate (200, 400, or 800 &micro;g/kg of diet), and control group was fed basal diet. The highest values of performance were obtained if 250 mg/kg vitamin C was supplemented with either 400 or 800 &micro;g Cr per kg of diet. An interaction between vitamin C and chromium for egg production (P&nbsp;= 0.05) and feed efficiency (P&nbsp;= 0.02) was detected. Similarly, egg weight, specific gravity, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and Haugh unit improved with diet containing 250 mg vitamin C and either 400 or 800 &micro;g Cr per kg of diet (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05). Digestibility of dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE) were higher with higher dietary vitamin C (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05) and also with higher Cr (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05). There were no interactions between vitamin C and chromium detected for any parameters measured for egg quality in terms of egg weight, specific gravidity, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and Haugh unit and digestibility of nutrients (P&nbsp;&sup3; 0.28). Data obtained in the present study shows that a combination of 250 mg vitamin C and 400 &micro;g chromium per kg of diet gave the best results in laying hens reared under a low ambient temperature and a conclusion is suggested that such a diet can be considered as a protective management practice in poultry to alleviate, at least in part, the depressive effect of cold stress on poultry performance.

scholarly journals Hen-Day Egg Production and Qualitative Egg Indices in Laying Hens Administered with Lycopene and Vitamin E During the Hot-Dry Season

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ayodele Obidi ◽  
Joseph Olusegun Ayo ◽  
Peter Ibrahim Rekwot ◽  
Barth Izuchukwu Onyeanusi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Heat Index ◽  
Eggshell Thickness ◽  
Standard Procedures ◽  
Hot Dry Season

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of lycopene and vitamin E, administered individually and in combination, on laying hens during the hot-dry season. The dry-and wet-bulb temperature were recorded daily from 06:00–18:00 h during the 5-week experimental period. Daily and weekly hen-day egg productions, egg weight, eggshell thickness and eggshell weight were determined using standard procedures. The dry-bulb temperature (23.0°C – 39.0°C) and temperature - heat index (24.4°C − 35.0°C) recorded show that the hens were subjected to heat stress during the season. Egg production in the laying hens in lycopene (62.4 ± 1.1 %), vitamin E (62.1 ± 1.2%) and lycopene + vitamin E (62.7 ± 1.0 %) groups were higher (P < 0.05) than in controls (56.0 ± 0.8%). Eggshell was thickest in lycopene + vitamin E group (0.28 ± 0.02 mm), compared to lycopene (0.23 ± 0.02 mm) and vitamin E group (0.22 ± 0.02 mm). The thickness was lowest (P < 0.05) in control hens (0.18 ± 0.02 mm), compared to any other group. Similarly, control laying hens recorded the least (P < 0.05) in eggshell weight (6.7 ± 0.02 g), compared to the weights recorded in lycopene + vitamin E, lycopene and vitamin E groups (7.3 ± 0.24 g, 7.3 ± 0.3 g and 7.2 ± 0.3 g, respectively). In conclusion, lycopene and vitamin E ameliorated the risk of adverse effects of heat stress by increasing hen-day production, eggshell weight and eggshell thickness during the hot-dry season.

Effects of high levels of vitamin e supplementation in heat stressed laying hens

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
Sandy Bollengier ◽  
G. Uzu ◽  
P.E.V. Williams ◽  
C.C. Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Short Exposure ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Supplemental Vitamin ◽  
High Level

It was investigated in a small-scale study using a climate-controlled room at IAPGR, Roslin, that the effects of feeding a high level of supplemental vitamin E (500 mg/kg) on egg production and plasma concentrations of egg-associated metabolites in laying hens subjected to a short exposure (7 days) to a moderate heat stress (temperature of 32°C). The study showed, on small group sizes (12 birds / group), that in control birds (fed 30 mg supplemental vitamin E/kg), this degree of heat stress depressed egg production by about 30%. In the birds receiving the high level of vitamin E, egg production was maintained at levels very close to those prior to the heat stress. The objective of this experiment was to confirm in a larger scale the effects of high levels of dietary vitamin E on egg production of hens exposed to a chronic heat stress and during a period of recovery at thermoneutral temperatures.

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