The Effect of “Free Choice” Grain Feeding on Egg Production, Feed Consumption, Body Weight and Egg Quality

Two experiments with nine strains of Single Comb White Leghorn hens were conducted to compare laying house performance of hens given a diet of uniform protein content or a phase-feeding diet in which protein content was reduced from 156 to 148 and then to 140 g/kg at 273 and 414, or 273 and 384 days of age. Performance criteria were egg production, feed and protein intake, egg, quality, egg weight, mortality and body weight. Phase-feeding allowed reductions of 4.2 and 4.3% in protein consumption without reducing egg production, mortality or, except in one strain, body weight. There was an increase of 0.5% in feed consumption, but feed cost was reduced by 1.3%. Phase-feeding increased Haugh units by 0.3% and decreased specific gravity of eggs in one experiment, decreased percent visibly-cracked eggs in the other experiment and had no effect on percent blood spots. Depending on strain, phase-feeding had a variable effect on egg weight in exp. 1 but had no effect in the second experiment. Key words: Phase-feeding, protein utilization, egg production, hen

Download Full-text

Effects of differences in the initial body weight of groups on laying performance and egg quality parameters of Lohmann laying hens

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/341-cjas ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 53 (No. 11) ◽

pp. 466-471 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

E. Lacin ◽

A. Yildiz ◽

N. Esenbuga ◽

M. Macit

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Live Weight ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Weight Groups

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different body weight groups (light (L) = 1 400–1 500; medium (M) = 1 500–1 600 and heavy (H) = 1 600 < g) on performance and egg quality traits of Lohmann hens, 24 weeks of age, in different laying periods. A total of 288 Lohmann White layers were allocated randomly to three groups with respect to live weight, each consisting of 24 replicated cages as subgroups, comprising four hens. The study period lasting for 60 weeks was investigated as four different age periods (first period = 24–40 weeks; second period = 40–54 weeks; third period = 54–68 weeks; fourth period = 68–84 weeks). Differences in the initial live weight at the beginning of experiment among the groups continued to the end of experimental period. Considering the egg production, differences among the groups were not significant (<I>P</I> > 0.05) during the experimental period. Egg weight was determined to be lower in the group with low body weight (64.58 g) than in medium (64.97 g) and heavy hen groups (66.30 g). Differences in feed intake and feed conversion ratio among the groups were found significant, and the mean values were 123.93, 127.48 and 130.67 for feed consumption (g/day); 2.23, 2.28 and 2.27 for feed conversion ratio. Except for the feed conversion ratio, the effect of weight groups by age period interaction on performance parameters was significant (<I>P</I> < 0.01). The effects of body weight on shell strength, shell thickness and yolk index were not significant during the experimental period. However, different body weight groups significantly affected shape index, yolk colour, albumen index and Haugh unit parameters. Shell strength, yolk colour and yolk index values were affected by weight groups by age period interaction. In conclusion, Lohmann White hens in the light group in a uniform flock had higher egg production and lower feed conversion ratio values than those of other weight groups.

Download Full-text

Variation and Association of Hen Performance and Egg Quality Traits in Individual Early-Laying ISA Brown Hens

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10091601 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1601

Author(s):

Doreen O. Anene ◽

Yeasmin Akter ◽

Peter C. Thomson ◽

Peter Groves ◽

Cormac J. O’Shea

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Quality Characteristics ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Initial Body Weight ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Quality Measurements

Uniformity in hen and egg traits is an important consideration in commercial layer flocks. There is little information on how individual hen feed consumption and body weight affect egg quality measurements. This study investigated the variation in performance traits of individual hens and associations with egg quality characteristics. Four hundred and fifty-five ISA Brown caged hens in early lay were monitored for 42 days (25 to 30 weeks of age) to collect hen feed consumption and egg production measurements. Forty-four hens from the flock were randomly selected and eggs were collected from the same hen once weekly for albumen, yolk, and shell assessment. The means ± standard deviation of average daily feed intake (ADFI), albumen height, initial body weight (IBW), and final body weight (FBW) were 124 g ± 15, 10.3 mm ± 1.5, 1802 g ± 129, and 2000 g ± 175, respectively. Albumen height was not associated with ADFI (r = 0.18, p = 0.21), IBW (r = −0.04, p = 0.79), or FBW (r = −0.06, p = 0.69). This study showed variation in feed intake, body weight, and albumen quality of individual early-lay hens. Feed intake and body weight did not influence albumen quality.

Download Full-text

Effect of selection for body weight in Japanese quails(Coturnix coturnix Japonica) on some production traits

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.11466 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Atilla Taskin ◽

Ufuk Karadavut ◽

Rahsan Ivgin Tunca ◽

Serdar Genc ◽

Huseyin Cayan

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Production Traits ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Body Weights ◽

Two Generations ◽

And Control

The aim of the study was to identify quails which have different body weight for some production traits such as egg production, egg characteristics, daily feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The selection was based on body weight in Japanese quail over two generations using 150 quails (120 female and 30 male). These groups consisted of Low Body Weight (LBW), High Body Weight (HBW) and control. Average body weights for females at the end of five weeks were 182.3±0.5, 159.5±0.34, and 141.7±0.55 for LBW, HBW and control groups respectively. There were significant differences between females and males in body weight across the generations. Significant differences were observed for total egg production and egg width for Group X Generation’s interactions. Also, statistically significant differences were found for egg quality parameters such as yolk index, yolk height, yolk diameter, albumin length, and albumin width among generations. As a result, body weight is a very important factor in selection studies and it also increases the efficiency of the selection program with other selection features.

Download Full-text

Effect of Supplementation of Multi Enzymes on Production Performance and Egg Quality Traits in White Leghorn Layers

THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ◽

10.21887/ijvsbt.v12i2.3730 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

Author(s):

C. Pandian ◽

A. Sundaresan ◽

A. V. Omprakash

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Live Weight ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Production Performance ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Quality Traits ◽

White Leghorn ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Enzyme Supplementation

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of Multi-enzymes with lysophospholipids on production performance of pure line White Leghorn layers. Body weights before and after the experiment did not differ significantly across the experimental diets. Irrespective of the dietary treatments, the birds gained 3.83 per cent of live weight relative to its initial body weight. Mean per cent Hen housed egg production was significantly (Pis less than 0.05) higher in diet supplemented with 0.10 MEC-L than other groups. Mean egg weight and average daily feed consumption during 25 to 35 weeks of age indicated no significant effect of enzyme supplementation. Average daily feed consumption per bird in control, 0.05 % and 0.1% multi-enzyme supplemented groups was 108.13, 105.66 and 107.67 g respectively and birds offered control diet recorded numerically more feed intake than enzyme supplemented groups. Comparatively low feed per egg was observed in 0.10 per cent group followed by 0.05 per cent group which offers economic benefits than control diets. However, the egg quality traits between different dietary enzyme supplementation groups showed no significant difference.

Download Full-text

SAPU-SAPU FISH (Hyposarcus pardalis) AS A SINGLE PROTEIN SOURCE FOR LAYING MOJOSARI DUCKS

Journal of the Indonesian Tropical Animal Agriculture ◽

10.14710/jitaa.41.3.117-124 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 117-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. Indarsih ◽

A. Asnawi ◽

D. K. Purnamasari

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Production Performance ◽

Protein Source ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Egg Number ◽

Single Protein

The present study was conducted to evaluate the optimum level of dietary inclusion and the form of feeding sapu-sapu fish (SSF) as a single protein source for feed components of small holder Mojosari duck farming. A total of 180 twenty four wk-old laying ducks were fed with two forms (sun-dried and ground-fresh) and three levels of SSF (10, 20 and 30%) from 24 to 32 wk of age. Experimental diets were formulated containing 105.1; 141.5 and 177.9 g/kg crude protein and 3078; 3065 and 3052 kcal metabolizable energy (ME) /kg diet. Production performance and egg quality were measured. The form of SSF had a significant effect (P<0.0001) on feed intake, egg production, feed conversion, egg mass and egg number except final body weight. No significant effects (P>0.05) were found on all of the performance parameters measured due to feeding levels of SSF except feed intake and final body weight. The interaction of form and feeding level was significant (P<0.05) on egg and body weights. Low performance and egg quality were observed in the birds fed a diet containing the dried SSF. It can be suggested that local ducks required 20% SSF as a single protein source for maximum egg production (41.2%) and total egg number per wk (3.1 eggs/bird/wk) during 8 wk of rearing period. Egg quality can be improved by feeding the fresh SSF. However, due to be sufficiently better processing technique, the dried SSF would be potential to replace the common fish for laying ducks.

Download Full-text

Fermentation of Carrot Juice Waste (Daucus carota L) with Probiotics and Utilization in Races of Chicken Layers on Egg Production and Quality

Bantara Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.32585/bjas.v2i2.937 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Nur Endang Sukarini

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Production Performance ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Carrot Juice ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Index Value ◽

Basal Ration ◽

Haugh Unit

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

Download Full-text

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Moringa oleifera Leaves and/or Seeds Powder on Production, Egg Characteristics, Hatchability and Blood Chemistry of Laying Japanese Quails

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12062463 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 2463 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Elwy A. Ashour ◽

Mohamed S. El-Kholy ◽

Mahmoud Alagawany ◽

Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack ◽

Laila A. Mohamed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Japanese Quail ◽

Egg Production ◽

Moringa Oleifera ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Control Group ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Japanese Quails ◽

G Ratio

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaves and/or seed powder on laying Japanese quail performance in terms of egg production, egg quality, blood serum characteristics, and reproduction. In total, 168 Japanese quails (120 hens and 48 males) at eight weeks of age in laying period were randomly distributed to four treatment groups, with six replicates per group and seven birds (five hens and two males) per replicate. The first group (G1) served as a control group, while G2, G3 and G4 groups were supplemented with M. oleifera leaves (ML) and M. oleifera seeds (MS) and their combination ((1 g/kg ML; 1 g/kg MS; and 1 ML g/kg + 1 MS g/kg (MSL), respectively). From the results, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, fertility and hatchability from fertile eggs, egg and yolk index, and Haugh unit were not affected by dietary treatments. However, egg production, egg mass, eggshell thickness, and hatchability were significantly increased and blood aspartate transaminase (AST) and urea decreased in the MS treatment. Both triglycerides and total cholesterol were reduced (p < 0.05) in all treatments with ML, MS, and MSL, with no significant differences in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total protein, globulin, and A/G ratio among dietary treatment. Our results clearly indicated that the inclusion of M. oleifera seeds in Japanese quail diet significantly increased egg production and improved hatchability, along with some egg quality parameters, and also lowered some blood biochemical components.

Download Full-text

High Levels of Free Gossypol in Hen Diets: Effects on Body Weight, Feed Consumption, and Egg Production

Poultry Science ◽

10.3382/ps.0361351 ◽

1957 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 1351-1354 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ram Narain ◽

Carl M. Lyman ◽

J.R. Couch

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Free Gossypol ◽

Egg Production ◽

Feed Consumption

Download Full-text

FEEDING VALUE OF RAPESEED FOR LAYING HENS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas72-067 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 563-566 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

A. J. LESLIE ◽

J. D. SUMMERS

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Feeding Value ◽

And Performance ◽

Feeding Diets ◽

Haugh Unit

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding diets containing 0, 5, 10, and 15% ground raw rapeseed to three replicates of 14 laying hens each. Isocaloric isonitrogenous diets were fed for a 28-day experimental period and performance and egg quality parameters were measured. Egg production was depressed at the two higher levels of rapeseed inclusion but was not affected at the 5% level of inclusion. Haugh unit, albumen height, and shell deformation were not affected significantly (P > 0.05) but egg weight decreased progressively as rapeseed inclusion increased. Feed consumption was significantly depressed (P < 0.05) at the 15% level of rapeseed and slightly reduced at the other levels.

Download Full-text