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

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.

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The effects of space allowance on egg yield, egg quality and plumage condition of laying hens in battery cages

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/349-cjas ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 53 (No. 8) ◽

pp. 345-353 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

M. Sarica ◽

S. Boga ◽

U.S. Yamak

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Quality Traits ◽

Body Parts ◽

Battery Cages ◽

And Performance

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cage stocking density on egg yield, some egg quality traits and plumage condition in laying hens. Eighteen weeks-old 264 ISA-Brown pullets were divided into four cage density groups. The densities were 2 000, 1 000, 667 and 500 cm2 per hen (by allocating 1, 2, 3 and 4 hens per cage; floor area 40 × 50 cm) with 48, 30, 24 and 21 replicate cages, totally 123 three-tier battery cages. During the experimental period from 18 to 53 weeks of age, all birds were provided illumination for 16 hours a day. The hens were fed a diet containing 11.7 MJ ME/kg and 180 g CP during the period of 18 to 40 weeks of age and 11.3 MJ ME/kg and 170 g CP during the period of 41 to 54 weeks of age. Feed and water were available for ad libitum. Egg yield, mortality, live weights at 50% egg production age and at the end of experiment, pecking related mortalities, some egg quality traits and plumage condition were recorded weekly. Hen-housed egg production, egg mass, viability, and live weights were significantly decreased by higher densities. Most of the egg quality traits were not affected by cage densities. Pecking related mortalities increased in cage densities of 667 cm2 and 500 cm2 per hen compared to the other densities (P < 0.05) while plumage scores were higher in all body parts of hens kept in cages of 2 000 cm2 and 1 000 cm2 densities compared to the higher densities. The results showed that brown laying hens should be kept in cages having 1 000–2 000 cm2 densities in order to improve their welfare and performance.

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The Effects of Different Levels Chlorell Microalgae on Performance and Immune Response of Laying Hens Under Heat Stress Condition

International Journal of Life Sciences ◽

10.3126/ijls.v9i2.12058 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 71-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nasroallah Moradi Kor ◽

Neda Mohamadi

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Egg Production ◽

Stress Condition ◽

Linear Models ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Heat Stress Condition ◽

Different Levels

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different levels microalgae Chlorell sp. on performance of laying hens under heat stress condition. A completely randomized design experiment, with 7 replicates and 6 treatments (9 birds per replicate) was carried out by allotting 378 white Lohman strain laying hens at 65 weeks of age. Six experimental treatments were continual addition of 0, 100, 200, 300,400 ppm microalgae Chlorell and 400 ppm toein to drinking warer were fed to laying hens for 9 weeks. Egg production, egg weight, egg mass output and feed intake were determined. Antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) also was measured. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using General Linear Models procedure of SAS software and comparison of means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test. The results of this experiment showed that microalgae Chlorell had no effect on productive performance. Adding microalgae Chlorell to the drinking water improved immune response of laying hens and a more positive effect was observed when 400 ppm added to the water. It is concluded that the addition of microalgae Chlorell to the water drinking of laying hens improved immune response of laying hens.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v9i2.12058 International Journal of Life Sciences 9 (2) : 2015; 71-74

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Metabolizable energy levels for semi-heavy laying hens at the second production cycle

Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/s1516-35982009000500011 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 857-862

Author(s):

Fernando Guilherme Perazzo Costa ◽

Janaine Sena da Costa ◽

Cláudia de Castro Goulart ◽

Denise Fontana Figueiredo-Lima ◽

Raul da Cunha Lima Neto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Level ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Energy Levels ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Production Cycle ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Feed Conversion

This study was carried out to evaluate the energy levels in the diet to obtain better performance rates and quality of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle. One hundred and eighty Bovans Goldline laying hens with 62 weeks of age were used during four 28-day periods. A completely randomized experimental design was used with four metabolizable energy levels (2,650, 2,725, 2,800, 2,875 and 2,950 kcal/kg), each with six replicates of six birds. The energy level of diet did not affect the weight of the egg, yolk, albumen and eggshell, the percentages of yolk, albumen and eggshell, yolk color and egg specific gravity. Feed intake, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs increased significantly with increasing levels of metabolizable energy. Feed intake decreased linearly as the energy level in the diet increased. The metabolizable energy levels showed a quadratic effect on egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs. The metabolizable energy level of 2,830 kcal/kg was the most appropriate to promote better performance and quality of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle.

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

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/004.49.2001.4.6 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 421-430 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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.

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

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9960269 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 269 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

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.

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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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Changes in performance, egg quality and blood parameters of laying hens fed selenium and oregano oil

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an19319 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (13) ◽

pp. 1620

Author(s):

H. Reshadi ◽

M. Torki ◽

H. Mohammadi

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Total Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Egg Production ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Total Antioxidant

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 < 0.05) with the OEO diet than in the control. The SY diet decreased egg production and the OEO diet decreased egg mass (P < 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 < 0.05). Serum uric acid was lower with diets containing Se than the control diet (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity was highest with SY and SY + OEO diets and lowest with the OEO diet (P < 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 < 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.

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

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/207/2009-cjas ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 55 (No. 7) ◽

pp. 294-306 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

S. Świątkiewicz ◽

J. Koreleski ◽

A. Arczewska

Keyword(s):

Organic Acids ◽

Egg Production ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Eggshell Quality ◽

Laying Performance ◽

Calcium And Phosphorus

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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Extraction of Uronic Acid From Sargassum crassifolium and Its Feeding Effects On The Eggs Production and Quality of Lohmann Chicken Eggs

Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Peternakan Tropis ◽

10.33772/jitro.v7i3.12580 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 264

Author(s):

Veybe Gresje Kereh ◽

Ivonne Maria Untu ◽

Marie Najoan ◽

T. Lumi

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Uronic Acid ◽

Egg Production ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Brown Seaweed ◽

Egg Yolk ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Chicken Eggs

ABSTRACTThe use of antibiotics in chicken feed is currently banned because it can cause resistance to pathogenic bacteria and cause residues in products. This study aimed to see the effect of drinking water containing uronic acid extracted from Sargassum crassifolium (S. crassifolium) on the physical and chemical quality of Lohmann chicken eggs. One hundred and twenty laying hens were divided into 2 groups: (1) chickens given commercial feed containing antibiotics and (2) feed without additional antibiotics. The chickens were randomly assigned to one of the 5 brown seaweed supplementation treatments in drinking water A1=0.0% S.crassifolium (control); A2=2.5% S.crassifolium; A3=5.0% S.crassifolium; A4=7.5% S.crassifolium; A5=10.0% S.crassifolium. The study used a completely randomized factorial design of 5 treatments, 2 factors, and 3 replications. Each replication consisted of 6 heads of laying hens. There were no differences between treatments on the performance of laying hens (egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion); physical quality (eggshell, egg yolk, egg white, shell thickness, egg yolk, Haugh unit, egg index) and chemistry (superoxide dismutase production, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and Lohmann chicken egg cholesterol) but there was a difference in feed intake. The uronic acid extracted from S. crassifolium has not been able to increase the production and quality of Lohmann chicken eggs.Keywords: lohmann chicken, quality of eggs, Sargassum crassifolium, uronic acid

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

10.21203/rs.3.rs-833956/v1 ◽

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.

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