scholarly journals Dual-Purpose Poultry in Organic Egg Production and Effects on Egg Quality Parameters

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
Marianne Hammershøj ◽  
Gitte Hald Kristiansen ◽  
Sanna Steenfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Genotype A

Egg laying genotypes have been selected for generations due to their high yield and egg quality, resulting in efficient feed utilization and low body weight; hence, they are not suitable for meat production. This imposes an issue for the male layer chicks, which are killed at one day old. Because of ethical and food waste concerns, the search for suitable dual-purpose genotypes in order to avoid euthanasia of male day-old chicks has intensified. The aim of the present study is to evaluate potential dual-purpose genotypes for their egg quality compared to a representative egg laying genotype. Three dual-purpose genotypes with divergent characteristics were evaluated: genotype A represented an experimental crossbreed based on a broiler type male and an egg layer female, genotype B was a pure breed, and genotype C was a crossbreed of a layer type. These were compared to a control genotype D, which was an egg layer. Eggs were collected six times during the period of 21–54 weeks of hen age, i.e., a total of 1080 shell eggs were analyzed. Examined parameters were weights of egg, shell, yolk, and albumen, by calculating their relative proportions. Shell quality was assessed by shell strength, shell stiffness, and shell thickness. Yolk quality was determined as yolk color and inclusions of blood and meat spots, and albumen quality was evaluated in terms of pH and dry matter (DM) content. The egg layer genotype produced the smallest eggs with least blood and meat spot inclusions compared to that produced by the three dual-purpose genotypes. Shell quality was superior for the layer genotype. However, the experimental genotype A laid eggs of comparable shell quality, albumen DM, and yolk weight, but also with the darkest and most red-yellow colored yolk. The two other dual-purpose genotypes produced eggs of low-medium quality. In conclusion, the genotype A could serve as dual-purpose genotype from an egg quality perspective.

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.

scholarly journals The effect of dietary phytase and various available phosphorus levels on performance and egg quality in Japanese quail

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaella Rossetto ◽  
Maurício Barreta ◽  
Marcos José Migliorini ◽  
Fabíula Pecher ◽  
Lenílson Fonseca Roza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Randomized Experimental Design ◽  
Phytic Phosphorus ◽  
Phosphorus Levels

SUMMARY Birds show poor utilization of phytic phosphorus in their diets because of the lack of endogenous enzymes to digest phosphorus and make it bioavailable. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate phytase supplementation in the diets of laying quails. Eighty quails were used in a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and four replicates of four birds each. The treatments were as follows: 0.35% Pd; 0.20% Pd; 0.20% Pd + 500FTUs of phytase; 0.09% Pd; 0.09% Pd + 500 FTUs of phytase. The birds were housed in metallic batteries during a trial period of 21 days, for evaluation of egg production, egg weight, feed intake and feed conversion. After being collected, the eggs were sent to the nutrition laboratory of the department of zootechnics of the CEO/Udesc, where analyses of albumin, yolk and shell quality were performed. The results were subjected to analysis of variance, and the differences between the averages were compared using the Tukey test at 5% of significance. No differences (P> 0.05) were observed in terms of performance and egg quality parameters. We conclude that the inclusion of phytase in the diet of laying quails can be accomplished without compromising the performance and quality of the eggs. Additionally, 0.09% of 22 disponible phosphorus can be used to grant adequate performance for 21 days.

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.

THE PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS OF LAYING HENS IN FLOOR PENS AND INDIVIDUAL CAGES

1959 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. MacIntyre ◽  
J. R. Aitken
Keyword(s):  
Protein Level ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Protein Requirements ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Protein Diets

Diets varying in protein content from 10.9 to 16.7 per cent were fed over a 336-day laying period to hens in both floor pens and individual laying cages. All rations were approximately iso-caloric, the mean productive energy value being 825 Calories per pound. Each ration was fed to 200–240 hens in four floor pens and to 90–96 hens in individual cages.A crude protein level of 13 per cent of the diet proved adequate for egg production, but egg weights and body weights were improved when the dietary protein was increased. Egg shell quality was highest on low protein diets. Interior egg quality was not affected by the protein level in the diet.On comparable diets, birds in individual laying cages laid fewer eggs and consumed less feed than birds in floor pens. Caged birds were heavier in body weight and laid heavier eggs with thicker shells than their counterparts in floor pens. The criteria employed in the measurement of interior egg quality showed no differences between the cage and pen environments, nor did there appear to be any differences in protein requirements between the two environments.

Estimation of dietary selenium requirement for Chinese egg-laying ducks

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Chen ◽  
H. X. Zhang ◽  
S. Wang ◽  
D. Ruan ◽  
X. Z. Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Selenite ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Optimal Function ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Gpx Activity

The purpose of this study was to estimate the selenium (Se) requirement of egg-laying ducks based on daily egg production and the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase (Gpx). Five-hundred and forty laying ducks were divided into six treatments, each containing six replicates of 15 ducks. The birds were caged individually and received a Se-deficient basal diet (0.04 mg/kg) or diets supplemented with 0.08, 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, 0.40 mg/kg Se (as sodium selenite) for 6 months. The experiment consisted of two periods: an early-laying period of 2 months and the peak-laying period of 4 months. Egg production and feed intake were recorded daily. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were drawn for determination of Gpx activity in plasma (Gpx3) and in erythrocytes (Gpx1). Hepatic Gpx1 activity and relative expression of Gpx1 mRNA were also determined. Eggs (n = 6) were sampled for quality determination and Se content at the end of the experiment. The activities of plasma Gpx3, erythrocyte Gpx1 and liver Gpx1 increased in a quadratic manner (P < 0.001) with increasing supplemental Se. The mRNA abundance of hepatic Gpx1 increased linearly (P < 0.001) with dietary Se supplementation. Egg shell thickness was significantly reduced in the ducks fed 0.44 mg Se/kg (P < 0.05), indicating that higher dietary Se tends to compromise egg shell quality. Yolk and albumen contents of Se increased linearly (P < 0.0001) with dietary Se supplementation. Using quadratic broken line models, the Se requirement for daily egg production was 0.18 mg/kg for early-laying ducks and 0.24 mg/kg for peak-laying ducks; for optimal function of Gpx (peak-laying ducks), it was 0.37 mg Se/kg.

Effects of different levels of canola meal on egg quality

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 210-210
Author(s):  
R Gaykani ◽  
M Zaghari ◽  
M Shivazad
Keyword(s):  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Canola Meal ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
High Quality Protein ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Different Levels

In recent years there has been increasing interest in cultivating canola in tropical areas. This product is used to supply edible oil for humans, and also as a high quality protein source for poultry (Baker and Chang 1992), soybean meal has been replaced by canola meal and there were some negative and positive effects on egg production, egg quality, egg shell quality (Roth-maier1999) In the present study, investigating the effect of canola meal on egg quality, different levels of soybean meal were replaced by canola meal in laying hen diets.

scholarly journals Hens That Exhibit Poorer Feed Efficiency Produce Eggs with Lower Albumen Quality and Are Prone to Being Overweight

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2986
Author(s):  
Doreen Onyinye Anene ◽  
Yeasmin Akter ◽  
Peter Campbell Thomson ◽  
Peter Groves ◽  
Sonia Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Egg Albumen ◽  
Amino Acid Concentrations ◽  
Stable Variable ◽  
Haugh Unit

Feed efficiency (FE) is an important measure of productivity in the layer industry; however, little is known about how FE differs between individual hens during the egg-laying cycle and the implications for egg quality parameters. Individual 25-week-old ISA Brown hens were observed for 42 days, ranked into three FE groups (n = 48 per High (HFE), Medium (MFE) and Low (LFE) FE groups and then monitored later in the laying cycle from 35–40 weeks. The groups exhibited different feed to egg conversion ratios (p < 0.001) from 35–40 weeks. Average daily feed intake and body weight were highest (p < 0.001) in the LFE group compared to the MFE and HFE groups, while albumen height, Haugh unit and amino acid concentrations of the albumen were significantly higher in the HFE groups compared to the LFE cohort (p < 0.001). This study concludes that FE status established in early lay is a stable variable until at least 40 weeks of age, and overweight, mid-laying hens that had poor FE produced inferior egg albumen quality measurements and composition. The distinct traits of the highly efficient hens and the poor feed efficient hens may provide important information to improving productivity in egg production.

scholarly journals The Impact of Effective Microorganisms (EM) on Egg Quality and Laying Performance of Chickens

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Alem Tadesse Atsbeha ◽  
Teweldemedhn Gebretinsae Hailu
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Effective Microorganisms ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Layer Chickens ◽  
The Impact

Chickens kept under modern production system are very small and contribute less than 2% of eggs and meat production in Ethiopia. In some parts of the country, effective microorganism (EM) has been used as a means of improving egg and meat production. However, there is information gap on the use and effect of EM on egg quality and laying performance of chickens in the local context. This study was conducted in Aksum University’s poultry farm located at the main campus in Axum, to evaluate egg laying performance and quality of eggs in layer chickens treated with effective microorganisms in feed and water. In this experiment, 180 pullets of ISA Brown chickens with uniform age and weight were used and managed in a cage system. Chickens were subjected to 4 treatments with 3 replications, and each replication consisted of 15 chickens. Data collection was started at the first egg lay. Data including feed intake, conversion ratio, and age at first laying, laying percentage, and egg quality parameters were collected. Statistical analysis was carried out using JMP. Chickens fed with EM in feed and drinking water had higher egg production percentage. There was a significant difference in egg laying percentage between the treated and control groups ( P < 0.001 ). Eggs from chickens given EM in feed and water were 6% heavier in weight than those from control birds. Lower feed daily intake (115.5 gram) and feed conversion rate (2.05) were achieved in chickens treated with EM in feed and water. Significant improvement on egg quality was revealed in chickens that received EM in feed and water. From this experiment, it can be concluded that the use of EM in feed and water improves egg production in layer chickens and therefore recommended for medium-scale poultry farms in Northern Ethiopia.

EFFECT OF DIETARY ENERGY AND CALCIUM LEVEL ON EGG PRODUCTION AND EGG QUALITY

1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. MacIntyre ◽  
H. W. R. Chancey ◽  
E. E. Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Calcium Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Single Comb

Two experiments were conducted with Single-Comb White Leghorn laying hens to measure some of the effects of energy and calcium levels on egg production and quality. In Experiment 1, rations containing 3.95 per cent calcium gave significantly higher egg production than rations containing 3.00 or 2.25 per cent, but in Experiment 2 there was no difference in egg production between rations containing 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 per cent calcium. Rations containing 1.0 per cent calcium gave significantly lower egg production than rations containing 2.0 per cent or more. Levels of calcium up to 6.0 per cent had no adverse effect on egg production.Egg-shell quality as measured by specific gravity improved with increasing levels of calcium. A calcium intake of at least 4 grams per bird per day was necessary for best egg-shell quality.

scholarly journals The influence of strain and age on some egg quality parameters of commercial laying hens

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1649-1658 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kocevski ◽  
N. Nikolova ◽  
A. Kuzelov
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Older Age ◽  
White Line ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Statistical Significant Difference ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Breeding Technology ◽  
Egg Shell

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of strain and age on some egg quality parameters (egg weight and egg shell strength) of commercial laying hens. Layers of lines ISA Brown and DeKalb White were examined in period of nine months. Both lines were at same age (28 weeks) and were confined in common facility in battery cages. Laying hens were reared and fed according to standard breeding technology. Once a month 25 eggs of each line were taken to be examined for eggshell strength and egg weight, or in other words, total 450 table eggs were tested. Analises were done in Laboratory for testing egg quality by gaudges Egg Multi Tester EMT 5200 and Egg shell Gauge (Robotmation Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) which have computerised equipment to examine quality and physical characteristics of eggs. Statistic analyses on results were done by computer sub-programme ANOVA and Fisher's LSD test to determine the level of statistical significant difference between examined factors. Egg weight was under significant impact of age (P ? 0,05), but not under the influence of strain, although eggs of ISA Brown line were insignificantly heavier than eggs of DeKalb White line. Eggs were heaviest at layers with older age, while they were lightest at younger birds. The results have shown significant differences (P ? 0,05) in eggshell strength compared to line influence (genotype) and months of age. Eggs from ISA Brown laying hens had much better and eggshell strength than those eggs from DeKalb White. Correlations between eggshell strength and egg weight were with significant (R < 0,05) negative value, which indicating that with increasing egg weight decreases of eggshell strength.

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