Laying performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed diets supplemented with prebiotics and organic acids

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of organic acids and the prebiotic fructans on egg production and eggshell quality when added to the layer diet with different levels of calcium and phosphorus. The experiment was carried out on 168 Bovans Brown hens, allocated to 14 groups of 12 replications. Each hen (replication) was kept in an individual cage 40 cm × 40 cm in size. A 2 × 7 factorial arrangement, with two dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus (normal – 3.70% Ca, 0.65% P, and reduced – 3.25% Ca, 0.60% P) and with diets supplemented by selected additives (none, 0.75% inulin, 0.75% oligofructose, 0.50% volatile fatty acids (VFA), 0.25% medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), 0.30% VFA + 0.20% MCFA, 0.75% inulin + 0.50% VFA) was used. The experiment was carried out over 34 weeks, from the age of 26 to 70 weeks. There were no statistically confirmed effects of the factors studied in this experiment on egg performance, i.e. laying rate, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion. Reducing the dietary levels of Ca and P significantly decreased eggshell percent, thickness, density and breaking strength. The additives used had a considerable effect on eggshell quality at 46, 58 and 70 weeks of age, and these positive effects were most pronounced in the case of inulin and MCFA. There was no significant interaction between Ca and P dietary levels and the additives used. It was thus concluded that selected feed additives which lower the pH of the diet and intestinal content can beneficially influence eggshell quality in older high-producing laying hens.  

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Effects of Dietary Organic and Inorganic Sulfur on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Ileal Morphology, and Antioxidant Capacity in Laying Hens

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12010087 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 87

Author(s):

Yoo-Bhin Kim ◽

Sang-Hyeok Lee ◽

Da-Hye Kim ◽

Hyun-Gwan Lee ◽

Yongjun Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Egg Production ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Inorganic Sulfur ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Laying Performance ◽

Cont Group

The present study was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of organic and inorganic forms of sulfur, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) and sodium sulfate (SS), on laying performance, egg quality, ileal morphology, ileal volatile fatty acids, and antioxidant and stress markers in various biological samples in aged laying hens. A total of 144, 73-week-old Lohman Brown-Lite laying hens were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets: basal diet (CONT), CONT + 0.2% MSM (MSM), and CONT + 0.3% SS (SS). The trial lasted for 12 weeks. MSM and SS diets contained 0.07% of sulfur, either organic or inorganic. Dietary MSM did not affect egg production or feed conversion ratio at 12 weeks compared with the CONT group. Dietary sulfur did not affect egg quality except for the Haugh unit at 4 weeks, which was lowered (p < 0.05) in the SS group. Compared with the CONT group, a higher (p < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio was observed in the SS group. Dietary sulfur did not affect the percentages of short-chain fatty acids in the ileum. Total antioxidant capacity of the liver increased (p < 0.05) in laying hens fed MSM- and SS-added diets compared with the CONT group. The MSM and SS groups were found to have lowered (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum samples compared with CONT. Finally, dietary MSM had the lowest (p < 0.05) MDA concentrations in yolk samples. Taken together, our study showed that dietary organic and inorganic sulfur have positive effects on ileal morphology and antioxidant capacity in laying hens. However, SS-mediated inhibition in laying performance needs to be clarified.

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Effects of Dietary Organic and Inorganic Sulfur on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Ileal Morphology, and Antioxidant Capacity in Laying Hens

10.20944/preprints202112.0166.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yoo Bhin Kim ◽

Sang Hyeok Lee ◽

Da-Hye Kim ◽

Hyun-Gwan Lee ◽

Yongjun Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Egg Production ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Inorganic Sulfur ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Laying Performance ◽

Cont Group

The present study was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of organic and inorganic forms of sulfur, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) and sodium sulfate (SS), on laying performance, egg quality, ileal morphology, ileal volatile fatty acids, and antioxidant and stress markers in various biological samples in aged laying hens. A total of 144, 73-week-old Lohman Brown-Lite laying hens were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets: basal diet (CONT), CONT + 0.2% MSM (MSM), and CONT + 0.3% SS (SS). The trial lasted for 12 weeks. MSM and SS groups contained 0.07% of sulfur, either organic or inorganic. Dietary MSM did not affect egg production and feed conversion ratio at 12 weeks compared with the CONT group. Dietary sulfur did not affect egg quality except for Haugh unit at 4 weeks which was lowered (P &lt; 0.05) in the SS group. Compared with the CONT group, higher (P &lt; 0.05) villus height and crypt depth ratio was observed in the SS group. None of dietary sulfur affected the percentages of short-chain fatty acids in the ileum. Total antioxidant capacity of liver increased (P &lt; 0.05) in laying hens fed MSM- and SS-added diets compared with the CONT group. The MSM and SS groups lowered (P &lt; 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum samples compared with the CONT. Finally, dietary MSM had the lowest (P &lt; 0.05) MDA concentrations in yolk samples. Taken together, our study showed that dietary organic and inorganic sulfur have positive effects on ileal morphology and antioxidant capacity in laying hens. However, SS-mediated inhibition in laying performance needs to be clarified.

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Prolonged Dark Time Within A 24-h Light Regime Improves Eggshell Quality by Enhancing Calcium Deposition in Laying Hens

10.21203/rs.3.rs-69315/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Qian Xin ◽

Jingpeng Zhao ◽

Hongchao Jiao ◽

Haifang Li ◽

Xiaojuan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Efficiency ◽

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Light Regime ◽

Calcium Deposition ◽

Eggshell Quality ◽

Dark Time ◽

Calbindin D28k ◽

Calcium And Phosphorus ◽

Calcium Transporter

Abstract Background: The absorption and transportation of calcium and phosphorus is mainly relied on their corresponding transporters. Eggshell is mainly formed during dark time in one egg cycle. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different light regime on eggshell quality and the expression of the relevant calcium and phosphorus transporters in laying hens. Seventy two 56-week-old laying hens were randomly divided into two groups and subjected to the following treatments: 16 h light: 8 h dark (control) and 9 h light: 15 h dark (LDP). The expression of phosphorus transporters type IIb Na/Pi co-transporter NaPi-IIa (NPt2a) and NaPi-IIb (NPt2b), calcium transporter calbindin-D28k (CaBP-D28k), and plasma membrane Ca ATPase 1b (PMCA1b) were measured in small intestine, kidney, and eggshell gland. Results: The results showed that the feed intake (P < 0.001) and egg weight (P = 0.05) was decreased by LDP treatment, while laying rate, egg production, and feed efficiency were not significantly influenced (P > 0.05). Compared to control, eggshell hardness was increased (P < 0.05) by LDP treatment whereas eggshell thickness and eggshell percentage were not significant changed. Eggshell calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were elevated in LDP-hens, compared to control birds. Compared to control birds, serum Ca (P < 0.01) and P levels (P = 0.079) at dark time were increased in LDP-hens while and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was lowered (P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of CaBP-D28k and PMCA1b were not influenced in duodenum but were decreased at light time in jejunum of LDP hens. In kidney, the expression of CaBP-D28k, PMCA1b and NPt2a were not changed by LDP treatment. In eggshell gland, however, the expression of CaBP-D28k and osteopontin (OPN) were relative higher in LDP hens compared to control birds, whereas the PMCA1b expression was not altered. Conclusions: The result indicates that the increased circulating Ca and P concentrations in dark time are favorable for the deposition of calcium and phosphorus in eggshell. The result offers an alternative strategy for the laying hen with a worse eggshell problem.

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

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an18625 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (8) ◽

pp. 1553 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

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 > 0.05). Feeding whole ACM with 40 g limestone/kg diet reduced hen-day production and shell thickness (P < 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.

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Effects of phytase B on laying performance, eggshell quality and on phosphorus and calcium balance in laying hens fed phosphorus-deficient maize-soybean meal diets

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/1290-cjas ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 56 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 406-413 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

K. Żyła ◽

M. Mika ◽

S. Świątkiewicz ◽

J. Koreleski ◽

J. Piironen

Keyword(s):

Soybean Meal ◽

Calcium Level ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Breaking Strength ◽

Control Diet ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Calcium Balance ◽

Egg Weight ◽

Eggshell Quality ◽

Laying Performance

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of phytase B (product of the Aspergillus niger phyB gene expressed in Trichoderma reesei) on feed intake, laying performance, eggshell quality, and on phosphorus and calcium balance in laying hens. Seventy-two, 40 weeks old Hy Line Brown hens were fed for 14 weeks the following four phosphorus-deficient (0.12% nonphytate phosphorus, NPP), maize-soybean meal-based diets: (1) calcium-deficient (2.8% Ca) control diet; (2) diet 1 + phytase B at the activity of 2.5 acid phosphatase units (AcPU/kg); (3) control diet (3.8% Ca); (4) diet 3 + phytase B at the activity of 2.5 AcPU/ kg. Each dietary treatment was fed to 18 cages of hens, 1 hen/cage kept in individual cages. Hens fed the NPP- and Ca-deficient diets consumed more feed (P < 0.01) and excreted less calcium (P < 0.01) than those receiving P-deficient diets with the standard calcium level. There were no effects of calcium level on feed utilization, egg mass, egg weight, and eggshell breaking strength. Egg production, although numerically higher in hens fed low Ca diets with no enzyme added, failed to be significantly different due to the low number of hens investigated and therefore the measurement should be considered as preliminary and supplementary. Phytase B increased mean egg weight by about 7% in layers fed the NPP- and Ca-deficient diet (Ca × phytase B interaction, P < 0.05), increased shell breaking strength, particularly at the standard calcium level, significantly enhanced amounts of calcium retained by layers and amounts of  phosphorus retained by hens fed the Ca-deficient diets. Additionally, phytase B improved Ca retention at both dietary Ca levels and phosphorus retention in hens fed the Ca-deficient diets. Results of the study indicate that the efficacy of phytase B in NPP-deficient diets is strongly influenced by the dietary calcium level and the enzyme may modulate egg weight, eggshell quality, phosphorus and calcium retention in laying hens fed low-NPP, maize-soybean meal-based diets.

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Egg quality and production performance of laying hens injected with growth hormone and testosterone in the late phase of production

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an14111 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 147

Author(s):

H. Mohammadi ◽

Z. Ansari-Pirsaraei ◽

S. N. Mousavi ◽

M. Bouyeh ◽

A. Gholibeikifard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Hormone ◽

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Production Performance ◽

Fixed Dose ◽

Control Group ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Positive Effects

In this study, 160 73-week-old laying hens (HyLine W-36) were used to investigate the changes in production performance and egg quality parameters of aged laying hens after injection of different doses of growth hormone (GH) and a fixed dose of testosterone (Ts). The hens were weighed individually, placed in laying cages and then randomly assigned to four treatments with four replicates of 10 birds each, in a completely randomised design. The experiment was started at the 75th week and lasted until the 82nd week of age. The treatments were: 1: injection of 100 µL distilled water (control group), 2: injection of 500 µg Ts/kg liveweight + 50 µg GH/kg liveweight, 3: injection of 500 µg Ts/kg liveweight + 100 µg GH/kg liveweight and 4: injection of 500 µg Ts/kg liveweight + 150 µg GH/kg liveweight. In this study, ovulation rate (egg production percent), egg mass and feed intake were significantly higher in Treatment 3 than the control group (P < 0.05), and in Treatment 4, feed conversion ratio was significantly higher than for the other experimental groups (P < 0.05). In addition, the birds in Treatment 3 showed greater egg weight, albumen height, eggshell weight, eggshell density and eggshell weight per surface area than the control group (P < 0.05). In Treatment 3, egg length significantly increased compared with Treatments 1 and 4 (P < 0.05), and in Treatments 2 and 4, shell breaking strength was significantly lower than for the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed positive effects of GH and Ts administration on egg quality parameters and production performance in aged laying hens. Taken together, in the present study Treatment 3 was found more effective in improving egg quality and production performance of the old laying hens.

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High Temperature With Low Humidity or Vice Versa Does Not Affect Performance and Physiology of Laying Hens

10.20944/preprints202011.0251.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Da-Hye Kim ◽

Yoo-Kyung Lee ◽

Sang-Ho Kim ◽

Kyung-Woo Lee

Keyword(s):

Biochemical Parameters ◽

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Thermal Treatments ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Laying Performance

The present study investigated the effect of different ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) but equal temperature-humidity index (THI) on laying performance, egg quality, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), corticosterone (CORT) concentration in blood, yolk and albumen, and plasma biochemical parameters in laying hens. One hundred and twenty commercial hens (Hy-Line Brown) aged 60 weeks were allocated into 2 environmental chambers. Laying hens were subjected to either one of two thermal treatments, i.e., 26ºC and 70% RH (LH75) and 30ºC and 30% RH (HL75) for 28 days. Both thermal treatments had equal THI being 75. Neither LH75 nor HL75 affected (P > 0.05) laying performance including egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Plasma biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus was not altered (P > 0.05) by thermal treatments. As to the stress indicators, both environment regimes failed (P > 0.05) to affect blood H/L ratio and CORT levels in plasma, yolk and albumen although albumen CORT levels were elevated (P < 0.05) in LH75 vs. HL75 at days 3, 7, and 28. In conclusion, our study suggests that laying hens performed and responded equally when they were exposed to equal THI environment conditioned from either 26ºC and 70% RH or 30ºC and 30% RH. The results of this study will be served as a scientific basis for management decisions and handling under thermally challenging conditions.

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Effect of Organic Acids and Prebiotics on Bone Quality in Laying Hens Fed Diets with Two Levels of Calcium and Phosphorus

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb201079020185 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 79 (2) ◽

pp. 185-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Sylwester Świątkiewicz ◽

Jerzy Koreleski ◽

Anna Arczewska

Keyword(s):

Organic Acids ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Breaking Strength ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Intestinal Content ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Section Area ◽

Calcium And Phosphorus

In an experiment conducted on caged Bovans Brown hens, the effect of diet supplementation using organic acids and prebiotic fructans on the biomechanical and geometrical indicators of the tibia and femur bones was evaluated. At 25 weeks of age, layers were randomly assigned to 14 experimental groups, each comprising 6 hens kept in individual cages. A 2 x 7 factorial arrangement, with two dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus (normal - 37.0 g Ca/kg, 6.5 g P/kg, and reduced - 32.5 g Ca/kg, 6.0 g P/kg), and with diets supplemented by selected additives (none; inulin, 7.5 g/kg; oligofructose, 7.5 g/kg; short chain fatty acids (SCFA), 5.0 g/kg; medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), 2.5 g/kg; SCFA, 3.0 g/kg + MCFA, 2.0 g/kg; inulin, 3.0 g/kg + SCFA, 5.0 g/kg) was used. The experiment was conducted for 45 weeks and concluded when the hens were 70 weeks old. At 70 weeks of age, reducing the dietary levels of Ca and P had decreased the bone breaking strength by 8.9% (P &#x2AAC 0.001) and the yielding load by 5.6% (P &#x2AAC 0.05). A similar tendency for bone breaking strength (P &#x2AAC 0.05) and stiffness (P &#x2AAC 0.05) was found in the femur bones. The diet with a lower level of Ca and P negatively affected the geometrical indicators of the bones such as cortex thickness (P &#x2AAC 0.05) and cross section area (P &#x2AAC 0.05), but had no effect on bone weight and length. Hens fed diets supplemented with oligofructose, MCFA, SCFA + MCFA or inulin + SCFA displayed a significantly higher bone breaking strength and yield load in the tibia bone than that of the control group. In the case of femurs, a positive influence of MCFA or simultaneous addition of inulin + SCFA on bone breaking strength was found. The additives had no significant effects on the geometrical indicators of either bone. It was concluded that selected feed additives which lower the pH of the diet and intestinal content can beneficially affect the biomechanical indicators of the bones of high-productive laying hens.

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The Impact of Temperature and Humidity on the Performance and Physiology of Laying Hens

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 56

Author(s):

Da-Hye Kim ◽

Yoo-Kyung Lee ◽

Sang-Ho Kim ◽

Kyung-Woo Lee

Keyword(s):

Biochemical Parameters ◽

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Laying Performance ◽

The Impact

We investigated the effect of different ambient temperatures and relative humidity (RH) with the same temperature-humidity indices (THI) on laying performance, egg quality, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), corticosterone (CORT) concentration in blood, yolk, and albumen, and plasma biochemical parameters of laying hens. Commercial hens (Hy-Line Brown; n = 120), aged 60 weeks, were allocated to two environmental chambers. Laying hens were subjected to either one of two thermal treatments—26 °C and 70% RH (TLHH75) or 30 °C and 30% RH (THHL75) for 28 days—with the same THI of 75. Neither TLHH75 nor THHL75 affected laying performance, including egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (p > 0.05). Plasma biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were not altered by the environmental treatments (p > 0.05). As for stress indicators, both environmental regimes failed to affect blood H/L ratio and CORT levels in plasma, yolk, and albumen (p > 0.05), although albumen CORT levels were elevated (p < 0.05) in TLHH75 group at day 7. Hence, our study suggests that laying hens performed and responded similarly when exposed to either TLHH75 or THHL75 characterized by the same THI. These results can serve as a scientific basis for management decisions and handling laying hens under thermally challenging conditions.

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Effect of Calcium Sources and Particle Size on Performance and Eggshell Quality in Laying Hens

Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology ◽

10.24925/turjaf.v3i4.205-209.262 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 205 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Arzu Erol Tunç ◽

Yusuf CUFADAR

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Oyster Shell ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Mineral Contents ◽

Egg Weight ◽

Eggshell Quality ◽

Calcium Sources ◽

Egg Shell

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different combination calcium sources and particle size on performance and egg shell quality in layer hens. In the experiment, 198 brown laying hens at 44 week of age were randomly assigned into 11 treatments groups. The experimental diets consisted of different calcium sources (Fine limestone, large limestone, large oyster shell and large egg shell) and their different combination. The experimental unit consisted of a groups of three hens, thus each treatment was replicated six times. Different calcium sources and particle size addition to the laying hens diet had no significantly effect on body weight gain, egg production, egg mass, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg specific gravity, egg shell weight, egg shell thickness and egg shell breaking strength but egg weight had significantly affected by the treatments. The significantly highest egg weight was found in laying hens fed with 50 % fine limestone and 50 % large limestone. Dietary different Ca sources had a significant effect on Ca, P and Mg as mineral contents of eggshell and tibia. In the present study, when dietary large calcium sources (limestone, oyster shell and egg shell) had no effect on performance and eggshell quality parameters in laying hens. However, dietary containing at least 50 % large calcium sources had positive effect on mineral contents of tibia.

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