scholarly journals Performance and well-being of laying hens subjected to various beak trimming methods and rearing systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e570974509
Author(s):  
Rafael Alan Baggio ◽  
Samuel Jacinto Lunardi ◽  
Manuela Testa ◽  
Jhonatan Pazinatto Boito ◽  
Marcel Manente Boiago ◽  
...  

The aim to evaluate whether different beak trimming methods affected the performance and well-being of laying hens raised in cage and floor systems. During the starter phase, we used a completely randomized design, with three treatments (hot blade beak trimming, infrared beak trimming, and no beak trimming (control)), with four repetitions and in the grower and production phase, we used a factorial arrangement scheme involving two production systems (cage or floor) and three beak management methods (as above). We reared the birds in starter, grower and production phases over a course of 30 weeks. We evaluated productivity, egg quality, behavioral parameters and biochemical variables. In the starter phase, control birds showed higher blood glucose levels (p=0.043). In the grower phase, birds subjected to hot blade beak trimming and control birds showed lower feed intake and better feed conversion. Triglyceride levels were higher in the cage rearing system (p<0.05). In the production phase, the cage rearing system showed higher productivity (p<0.05), mean egg weight (p<0.01), cholesterol levels (p<0.05) and oxygen reactive species levels (p<0.05). In the production phase, the floor system gave rise to a higher frequency of comfort movement behaviors (p<0.01). Hens in cage had improved their performance and had greater egg production efficiency. The choice of the beak method depends on the breeding system.

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
André Ferreira Silva ◽  
Frank George Guimarães Cruz ◽  
João Paulo Ferreira Rufino ◽  
Waldo Mateus Plácido Miller ◽  
Nathália Siqueira Flor ◽  
...  

 This study aimed to evaluate the increasing levels (0, 1, 2, 3 e 4%) of fish by-product meal in diets for laying hens on performance, egg quality and economic analysis. A total of 160 Dekalb White hens with 52-wk old were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates of eight birds each. The experiment lasted 84 days divided into four periods of 21 days. Estimates of fish by-product meal levels were determined by polynomial regression. Differences (p < 0.05) were detected for all variables of performance, in egg weight, yolk and albumen percentage, yolk and albumen height, feed cost and production cost, in which the inclusion of fish by-product meal in the diets showed better results. It can be concluded that fish by-product meal can be used in diets for hens as alternative feed, with better results in egg production, feed conversion, egg weight, yolk-albumen ratio and a reduction in feed cost and production cost. 


1980 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35
Author(s):  
A.R. El Boushy ◽  
L.G.M. van Gils ◽  
M.C. Papadopoulos

Twenty groups of 36 laying hens in individual cages were fed on one of 5 diets in which the energy:protein ratio was constant. Diets 1 to 5 had crude protein 12.0, 12.9, 14.0, 15.0 and 16.0% and metabolizable energy 8.71, 9.57, 10.27, 11.10 and 11.70 MJ/kg. From 24 to 64 weeks old, egg production of hens given diets 1 to 5 was 71.46, 71.31, 72.51, 71.13 and 69.99%, respectively. Corresponding values of mean egg weight, weekly feed intake and efficiency of feed conversion were 60.51, 60.47, 61.11, 61.02, 61.07 g; 157.16, 147.56, 142.03, 130.37, 126.72 g; 3.674, 3.460, 3.262, 3.031, 3.014 kg feed/kg egg, respectively. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Endang Sukarini

The aim of this study was to test the use of carrot juice fermentation with probiotics in rations with different levels on the production performance and quality of egg-laying hens. The material used was Lohman Brown strain of laying hens, 27 weeks old with an average initial body weight of 1.69 kg, as many as 45 birds. The research was conducted with experimental methods and used a Complete Design Acal (CRD). The treatment tested was the use of Carrot Extract Fermentation (FLSW) with probiotic SOC in the feed consisting of T1 = 100% basal ration, T2 = basal ration (97.5%) + FLSW (2.5%): T3 = basal ration ( 95%) + FLSW (5%); T4 = basal ration (92.5%) + FLSW (7.5%); T5 = basal ration (90%) + FLSW (10%). The variables observed were production performance (consumption, egg production (HDA / Hen Day Average), egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion and income over feed cost) and egg quality variables (albumin index, yolk index, Haugh Unit (HU), yolk color, albumin pH, yolk pH). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the use of carrot extract fermentation (FLSW) with different levels had a significant effect on feed consumption (Sig.115) and HDA (Sig.063), yolk index value (Sig.087) and yolk color (Sig. 000). , and not significantly different on feed conversion (Sig. 403), albumin index value (Sig. 522), and Haugh Unit (Sig. 259). The conclusion of the research showed that the use of fermented carrot juice waste (FLSW) in the feed of laying hens had an effect on feed consumption, egg production (Hen Day Averag / HDA), yolk index and yolk brightness (yolk color), but had no effect on conversion. feed, Haugh unit and albumin index value. Key words : probiotics, fermentation, carrot juice waste, production performance, egg quality 


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Diarra ◽  
I. Wamekeni ◽  
A. Vunagilee ◽  
H. Lavaka ◽  
T. Finau

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (13) ◽  
pp. 1620
Author(s):  
H. Reshadi ◽  
M. Torki ◽  
H. Mohammadi

Context Organic and herbal additives in feed may lead to more healthy animal products. For this study, we hypothesised that an organic form of selenium and/or a herbal additive (oregano, Origanum vulgare L.) may improve performance of laying hens. Aims The study was designed to determine the effects of selenium source (SS, sodium selenite; or selenium yeast, SY), oregano essential oil (OEO) and a combination of Se and OEO on performance, egg quality and blood parameters of laying hens. Methods In total, 216 Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens, 66 weeks of age, were assigned to feed on one of six diets: control group, receiving basal diet (BD); BD + 0.3 mg SS/kg; BD + 0.3 mg SY/kg; BD + 250 mg OEO/kg; BD + 250 mg OEO + 0.3 mg SS/kg; BD + 250 mg OEO + 0.3 mg SY/kg. For each treatment, there were six replicates of six hens each for 12 weeks. Key results Feed conversion ratio was higher (P &lt; 0.05) with the OEO diet than in the control. The SY diet decreased egg production and the OEO diet decreased egg mass (P &lt; 0.05), although this effect was reversed with the SY + OEO diet. This would illustrate a synergistic effect of OEO with SY. Highest and lowest yolk colour values were found with the SY and SS diets, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). Serum uric acid was lower with diets containing Se than the control diet (P &lt; 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity was highest with SY and SY + OEO diets and lowest with the OEO diet (P &lt; 0.05). Birds fed the SS + OEO diet showed the highest total antioxidant capacity and those fed SY showed the lowest total antioxidant capacity (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions Based on the results of the current study, it can be concluded that SY diet have increasing effect on egg weight in laying hens. In addition, novel synergistic effects between OEO and SY diets on improving egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio have been found. In terms of oxidative status, the detected synergistic effects between OEO and SS diets on total antioxidant capacity and between OEO and SY diets on glutathione peroxidase (GPx) have not been reported before, that appreciate more clarifying investigations in future. Although, dietary supplemental SY individually and also with OEO increased GPx, adding SS to diet together with OEO showed more improving effect on GPx compared to the separate usage. Implications Dietary supplemental SY can improve egg weight in laying hens. In addition, adding SY to diet of laying hens individually and with OEO have beneficial effects on oxidative status of bird in terms of GPs activity, which in turn can ameliorate the unfavourable impressions of probable environmentally oxidative stress on productive performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 37677
Author(s):  
Daniel Araujo Netto ◽  
Héder José D'Ávila Lima ◽  
Julia Rodrigues Alves ◽  
Bianca Corrêa de Morais ◽  
Mauricio Silva Rosa ◽  
...  

 The environment is very important for the performance of laying hens; thus, techniques are required to improve production systems, providing better welfare for poultry and consequent increase in the quality of the final product, the egg. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rearing system, on the floor and in cage, on the performance and egg internal and external quality of laying hens. A total of 320 Hysex Brown laying hens, with 34-43 weeks days of age, was distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments, floor and cage, with 10 replicates each. The parameters evaluated were: individual feed intake, egg production per replicate, feed conversion per dozen eggs, egg weight; weight and percentage participation of shell, albumen and yolk, specific gravity, body weight variation and viability of birds. The results show that the birds raised on the floor showed best results as to egg production, besides the best internal and external quality, with greater weight of egg, yolk, albumen, shell and with lower losses of eggs. Because of the negative effects of the cage system, in general, hens presented lower results when compared to results of those raised on the floor. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
A. C. Esiegwu ◽  
O. O. Emenalom ◽  
G. E. Enyenihi ◽  
I. C. Okoli ◽  
A. B. I. Udedibie

Effects of dietary Garcinia kola meal (bitter kola) on the performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens were investigated. Four layers diets were made such that diet T0 (control) contained no Garcinia kola meal while diets T2.5, T5.0 and T7.5 contained 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% Garcinia kola meal, respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 30 laying hens at 30 weeks of laying life for 84 days, using completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was further sub-divided into three replicates of 10 hens each. The layers on T2.5 and T5.0 diets added significantly (P < 0.05) less body weight than those on T0 and T7.5 diets. There were no significant differences in their feed intake (P > 0.05). T2.5 significantly (P < 0.05) depressed hen-day egg production but enhanced egg weight. Feed conversion ratio (g feed/ g egg) was not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Egg quality indices (egg shape index, egg specific gravity, Haugh unit, egg shell thickness, albumen index and yolk index) were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Egg shell index was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by Garcinia kola meal. At 2.5% level, it significantly enhanced percent albumin and reduced percent yolk (P<0.05). Cost of egg production (N/kg eggs) was adversely increased as the level of Garcinia kola meal increased.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
H Khatun ◽  
MN Islam ◽  
MA Rashid ◽  
MY Ali ◽  
MSK Sarker

This study was conducted to know the production performance of laying hen by using different graded level of linseed. At 56 weeks of age, a total of 160 laying hens were raised up to 63 weeks of age. All hens were fed a basal corn soyabean meal diet. The experiment was allowed 4 dietary treatments (T0, no addition of whole linseed in the basal diet; T1,  addition of 5% whole linseed; T2, addition of 10% whole linseed and T3, addition of 15% whole linseed) with 5 replications and per replication contains eight hens. Egg production, feed intake, egg weight of each treatment was recorded. Egg samples were collected and analyzed for egg quality. The results showed that egg production and egg mass (kg) exhibited for all dietary treatment groups were unaffected (P>0.05) by feeding linseed to the laying hens. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was found significant difference within the four dietary group (P<0.05). Egg quality aspects such as yolk weight, egg weight, HU and yolk index were not differed significantly (P>0.05) among treatments.  A trend for lower yolk weight was observed in birds fed 10% linseed, where as the highest yolk weight percentage was recorded in control diet. There was no statistical difference among the different diets for yolk index. The results of the present trial suggested that feeding linseed to the laying hens has no detrimental effects on egg production and egg quality. Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 20(1-2): 48-53, Jan-Dec 2013


Author(s):  
Melek Şehitoğlu ◽  
Hatice Kaya

In this study, it was investigated the effect of clove oil supplementation at increasing levels into laying hens’ diets on performance, egg quality traits, some blood parameters and yolk TBARS (Thiobarbituric Acid Reagent) values. For this purpose 96 Lohman white laying hens, 28 weeks of age, were divided into four treatment groups. Control group was fed with basal diet (C) and treatment groups were fed with diets formed by addition of clove oil at 50 ppm (CO1), 100 ppm (CO2) and 150 ppm (CO3), respectively. During the trial, feed and water were given as ad-libitum, and poultry house was illuminated for 17 hours. Experiment lasted for 13 weeks. Addition clove oil at increasing rates into diet did not affect the live weight. The data analysed as polynomial showed that supplementation of clove oil into layer diet linearly improved feed conversion ratio and increased the egg production. But, daily feed consumption, egg weight, damaged egg ratio and egg quality parameters were not affected by treatments. Serum parameters such as triglyceride, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and calcium were not affected by the clove oil supplementation. TBARS values in C, CO1, and CO2 were found higher than the CO3 group fed with diet including 150 ppm clove oil. In conclusion, clove oil at 150 ppm level in diets of laying hens could be used due to extend the egg shelf life and to decline serum cholesterol content.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 345-345
Author(s):  
Alfredo Herrera ◽  
Mario Ortiz ◽  
Hector Torrealba ◽  
Christian H Ponce

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn protein concentrate (CPC) levels in the diets on laying performance, and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 180 64-wk-old laying hens (2.05 kg ± 0.19 kg of live weight) were randomly assigned to 36 cages (5 birds/cage) with separate feeders, including 6 dietary treatments. Birds were fed 1 of 6 experimental diets containing CPC at different levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5%) for 10 weeks. Diets were isocaloric (2850 Mcal/kg) and isonitrogenous (CP, 15.0%), having similar digestible amino acid profile. Hens were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment to determine BW change. Egg production, feed consumption and egg weight were recorded daily, while egg quality variables were evaluated every 14 days. Data were analyzed using the general linear model procedure of SAS in a complete randomized design. The cage was considered the experimental unit. Linear and quadratic effects of treatment were used for mean separation and significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. Hens fed CPC maintained BW and gain at an increased rate (Quadraic: P &lt; 0.01). Feed intake increased as CPC increased in the diet (Lineal and quadratic: P &lt; 0.01). Egg production, mass and weight were increased as CPC increased in the diet (Quadraic: P &lt; 0.01). Feed conversion rate was improved as CPC increased in the diet (Lineal and Quadraic: P &lt; 0.02). Shell thickness and breaking strength tended to linearly increased as CPC increased in the diet (P &lt; 0.06). Albumen height and Haugh unit were not altered by dietary treatment (P &gt; 0.25). Yolk color was increased as CPC increased in the diet (P &lt; 0.01). Results from this experiment suggest addition of up to 2.5% CPC in the diet enhances egg production and some parameters of egg quality.


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