Characterisation of the Mycobiota on the Shell Surface of Table Eggs Acquired from Different Egg-Laying Hen Breeding Systems

Microbial safety is an important factor contributing to the egg quality. During egg acquisition, there is significant risk of contamination of the eggshell surface with microscopic fungi. Mycelial hyphae may grow on the eggshell surface and penetrate into the egg content. However, there is no information on the populations of microscopic fungi on the eggshell surface and, consequently, on possible production of mycotoxins. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify the species of microscopic fungi present on the eggshell surface acquired from different breeding systems and to measure the number of selected mycotoxins. The qualitative analysis resulted in the identification of 41 isolates on the surface of eggs. There were 7 isolates from the organic production system, 11 from the free-range production system, 14 from the deep litter indoor housing system and 9 from the cage farming production system. The research proved that the diversification in the population of mycobiota on the eggshells depended on the egg-laying hen breeding system. The microscopic fungi isolated from the eggshells included toxigenic and pathogenic species such as Fusarium culmorum and F. equiseti. As the egg storage time increased, fungi, including the pathogenic species, penetrated through the eggshells. In consequence, mycotoxins were identified in the egg whites. Type-A and type-B trichothecenes were found in the eggshell samples containing F. culmorum.

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Mitigation Effects of Bentonite and Yeast Cell Wall Binders on AFB1, DON, and OTA Induced Changes in Laying Hen Performance, Egg Quality, and Health

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins13020156 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 156

Author(s):

Ling Zhao ◽

Yue Feng ◽

Jing-Tao Wei ◽

Meng-Xiang Zhu ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Liver Weight ◽

Laying Hen ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Villus Height ◽

Crypt Depth ◽

Induced Changes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mycotoxin binders in reducing the adverse effects of co-occurring dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA) on laying hens. Three hundred and sixty 26-week-old Roman laying hens were randomly allocated into four experimental groups with 10 replicates of nine birds each. The four groups received either a basal diet (BD; Control), a BD supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg AFB1 + 1.5 mg/kg DON + 0.12 mg/kg OTA (Toxins), a BD + Toxins with Toxo-HP binder (Toxins + HP), or a BD + Toxins with TOXO XL binder (Toxins + XL) for 12 weeks. Compared to the control, dietary supplementation of mycotoxins decreased (P < 0.10) total feed intake, total egg weight, and egg-laying rate, but increased feed/egg ratio by 2.5–6.1% and mortality during various experimental periods. These alterations induced by mycotoxins were alleviated by supplementation with both TOXO HP and XL binders (P < 0.10). Furthermore, dietary mycotoxins reduced (P < 0.05) eggshell strength by 12.3% and caused an accumulation of 249 μg/kg of DON in eggs at week 12, while dietary supplementation with TOXO HP or XL mitigated DON-induced changes on eggshell strength and prevented accumulation of DON in eggs (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary mycotoxins increased relative liver weight, but decreased spleen and proventriculus relative weights by 11.6–22.4% (P < 0.05). Mycotoxin exposure also increased alanine aminotransferase activity and reduced immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, and IgG concentrations in serum by 9.2–26.1% (P < 0.05). Additionally, mycotoxin exposure induced histopathological damage and reduced villus height, villus height/crypt depth, and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum and (or) ileum (P < 0.05). Notably, most of these histological changes were mitigated by supplementation with both TOXO HP and XL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the mycotoxin binders TOXO HP and XL can help to mitigate the combined effects of AFB1, DON, and OTA on laying hen performance, egg quality, and health.

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Edible Environmental Enrichments in Littered Housing Systems: Do Their Effects on Integument Condition Differ Between Commercial Laying Hen Strains?

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10122434 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2434

Author(s):

Ruben Schreiter ◽

Klaus Damme ◽

Markus Freick

Keyword(s):

Study Design ◽

Study Groups ◽

Laying Hen ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Housing System ◽

Control Groups ◽

Skin Injuries ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Reduced Body ◽

Practical Recommendations

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of additional enrichment materials (EMs; pecking stones and alfalfa bales) on the occurrence of plumage damage, skin injuries, and toe injuries, with an emphasis on the possible differences between commercial hybrid strains of laying hens. During rearing (weeks 1–18, 16 compartments, 4000 pullets) and laying periods (weeks 21–72, 24 compartments, 2808 hens) in a littered housing system, EMs were permanently provided to the study groups (EXP), while control groups (CON) did not receive additional EM. In a two-factorial study design (two groups with four strains) with 351 hens per variant, the brown egg-laying Lohmann Brown classic (LB) and Bovans Brown (BB) strains as well as the white egg-laying Lohmann Selected Leghorn classic (LSL) and Dekalb White (DW) strains were investigated. Compared to the CON, the EXP showed reduced body mass during rearing (p < 0.001) and reduced albumen consistency in the laying period (p < 0.001). Regarding integument condition, the LSL in the EXP showed more toe injuries than in the CON (p = 0.018). Remarkably, genotype-environment interactions between strains and groups were evident (p < 0.001). In groups with an EM supply, plumage damage decreased in LB (p ≤ 0.033) and LSL (p ≤ 0.005) but increased in BB (p ≤ 0.003). Moreover, there were fewer skin injuries in LSL (p = 0.001) but more in BB (p = 0.001) in groups with access to EM. In view of the diverging effects between strains, future practical recommendations for laying hen husbandry should be strain-specific.

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Environmental Enrichments in Laying Hen Production Systems with Emphasis on Welfare and Egg Quality

Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology ◽

10.24925/turjaf.v9i8.1398-1406.4240 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1398-1406

Author(s):

Brian Tainika ◽

Ahmet Şekeroğlu

Keyword(s):

Production System ◽

Environmental Enrichment ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Production Systems ◽

Laying Hen ◽

Quality Traits ◽

Free Range ◽

Behavioral Expression ◽

Outdoor Area ◽

Novel Objects

This paper reviews the effects of environmental enrichments in different laying hen production systems on hen welfare and egg quality. To improve hen welfare, several studies have investigated various environmental enrichments that suit different laying hen production systems. The positive results of these studies can enable such environmental enrichments to be utilized in commercial laying hen production. In this review, the most studied environmental enrichments in the free-range production system include forage, shelterbelt, and artificial shade in the outdoor area and novel objects and H-shaped perching structures in the indoor. These are associated with increased range use that positively affects hen welfare. In the aviary system, perches, and litter materials (e.g., straw, sand) as environmental enrichments are linked to improved behavioral expression, reduced stress, and enhanced immune system. Under the litter system, environmental enrichment with substrates (e.g., pecking stones, alfalfa blocks, silage, straw, barley) has been found to increase the foraging behavior of laying hens. This reduces severe feather pecking thus improving the plumage condition of hens. Although the effects of environmental enrichments on hen welfare have been assessed and scientifically proven in the reviewed studies, enough progress of their impact on egg quality traits has not been reported. The studies have shown that environmental enrichments have no significant effect on egg quality traits. On the other hand, appropriate pasture plants as environmental enrichments in the free-range production system in relation to hen welfare and egg quality have not been identified. Therefore, it is important to continue studies on environmental enrichments while emphasizing their influence on egg quality since it is a major performance trait in the egg industry. In addition, there is a need for studies to determine the ideal pasture species in the free-range production system that positively affects hen welfare and egg quality.

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Effect of Production Systems on Quality and Chemical Composition of Table Eggs

Contemporary Agriculture ◽

10.1515/contagri-2016-0014 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 65 (3-4) ◽

pp. 27-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lidija Perić ◽

Mirjana Đukić Stojčić ◽

Siniša Bjedov

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Production System ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Production Systems ◽

Breaking Strength ◽

Fat Content ◽

Housing System ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Free Range

SummaryProduction system is one of the most important factors which have an effect on egg quality. In recent years consumers have paid more attention to the housing system in which eggs are produced with a significant increase of their interest in organic and functional food. Some consumers perceive omega-3 enriched eggs and free range eggs as beneficial for their health. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition and the internal and external quality of eggs produced in conventional cages, free range systems and of omega-3 enriched eggs. Samples of 30 eggs from three different production systems were taken from the market. For eggs from each system the internal and external egg quality traits were examined as well as the protein and fat content. The results showed lower fat content in eggs from cages (P<0.05). Free range and omega-3 eggs had higher content of protein in egg white compared to the conventional ones (P<0.05). Production system significantly influenced the shell breaking strength, Haugh units and yolk color. The shell breaking force was significantly higher in free range eggs (P<0.05). The highest value of Haugh units was found in free range eggs and the lowest in omega-3 enriched eggs. The results of this work confirmed that there are differences in quality and the chemical composition of eggs from different production systems.

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Effects of supplementing laying hen diets with different proprietary vitamin-mineral premixes and housing systems on egg properties and shelf-life stability

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v45i1.371 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 279-295

Author(s):

O. A. Ogunwole,

Keyword(s):

Shelf Life ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Thiobarbituric Acid ◽

Egg White ◽

Laying Hen ◽

Housing System ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Shelf Life Stability

Egg quality and durability have been directly linked to the nutrition of laying hen thus, the effects of five different supplemental vitamin-mineral premixes (VmP) in the diets of laying hens housed in battery cage (BC) and deep litter (DL) on the egg properties and shelf life stability in 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of egg storage (DOS) were investigated in this study. In a 4-week feeding trial, Bovans Nera Black laying hens (n=480) aged 71-week were allocated to five treatments in each housing system (HS) (BC and DL). Each treatment was replicated six times and a replicate comprised eight hens. The basal isocaloric and isonitrogenous diet was appropriately supplemented with 0.25% of any of the five proprietary VmP and the diets were offered with water ad libitum to respective experimental hens in both HS. The experiment was a 2x5x5 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (2 HS X 5VmP X 5DOS). Foaming capacity, foaming stability, viscosity, emulsion stability, least gelation concentration and shelf life stability of egg white and whole egg from both HS decreased significantly (P<0.05)in DOS while the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS mg/MA/100g) increased in DOS. The TBARS of respective whole and egg white from hens fed VmP1 (0.048 and 0.051), 2 (0.049 and 0.054), 3(0.056 and 0.155), 4(0.156 and 0.156) and 5 (0.153 and 0.151) differed significantly (P<0.05). Interactions of HS X VmP, HS X DOS on all attributes of both whole and egg white, except specific gravity and emulsion capacity, were significantly different (P<0.05). Eggs deteriorated in DOS irrespective of dietary VmP or HS but much more for eggs from DL compared with BC.

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Effect of Poliroli microelements on the efficiency of egg laying, egg quality and prevention of diseases of the reproductive organs of laying hens

Veterinary Medicine Journal ◽

10.30896/0042-4846.2020.23.8.41-44 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (08) ◽

pp. 41-44

Author(s):

S.V. Fedotov ◽

◽

S.V. Redkin ◽

N.S. Belozertseva ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Egg Laying

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Litter Use in an Aviary Laying Hen Housing System

10.31274/ans_air-180814-1365 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica D. Jenkins ◽

Rebecca L. Parsons ◽

Morgan Hayes ◽

Hongwei Xin ◽

Suzanne T. Millman

Keyword(s):

Laying Hen ◽

Housing System

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Influence of the energy and digestible lysine contents of the diet on performance and egg quality traits of brown-egg laying hens from 19 to 59 weeks of age

Poultry Science ◽

10.1016/j.psj.2021.101211 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101211

Author(s):

R. Scappaticcio ◽

J. Garcia ◽

G. Fondevila ◽

A.F. de Juan ◽

L. Cámara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Quality Traits

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Effect of the Pellet and Mash Feed Forms on the Productive Performance, Egg Quality, Nutrient Metabolism, and Intestinal Morphology of Two Laying Hen Breeds

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030701 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 701

Author(s):

Yi Wan ◽

Ruiyu Ma ◽

Anam Khalid ◽

Lilong Chai ◽

Renrong Qi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Laying Hen ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Production Performance ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Villus Height ◽

Nutrient Metabolism ◽

Feed Form

One of the most important factors that determine feed utilization by chickens is the feed form. Although it is generally believed that pellet diets have a positive effect on chicken growth, there are some studies that have indicated no difference between pellet and mash on chickens performance. This study was conducted to assess the effects of feed form on production performance, egg quality, nutrient metabolism and intestinal morphology in two breed laying hens. Two hundred and sixteen 25-week-old Hy-Line brown (n = 108) and Hy-Line grey (n = 108) hens were selected. Each breed was randomly allocated into two treatments with 6 replications (9 birds in each replication), which were fed mash and pellet diets, respectively. Production performances were recorded daily and egg quality traits were measured every two weeks. At 42 weeks of age, one bird per replication from each experimental group was selected for metabolism determination and intestine morphology observation. Compared with mash diets, pellet diets improved laying rate (p < 0.05), ADFI (average daily feed intake, p < 0.05), egg weight, shell strength, yolk proportion and Haugh unit (p < 0.05) in both breeds and reduced the FCR (feed conversion ratio, p < 0.05) in Hy-Line grey. The apparent digestibility of DM% (dry matter) and CP% (crude protein) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in both breed laying hens fed pellet than those fed mash. The apparent digestibility of P% (phosphorus) and Ca% (calcium) was higher in Hy-Line grey fed pellet and was higher in Hy-Line brown fed mash. Compared to mash diets, pellet diets increased the VH (villus height), CD (crypt depth) and VCR (ratio of villus height to crypt depth) of the small intestine of Hy-Line grey, and increased the VH and CD of duodenum and ileum of Hy-Line brown. Overall, pellet diets improved production performance and nutrition metabolism through positive changes in the laying rate, feed intake, egg albumen quality and apparent digestibility of laying hens. The current findings provided support for the advantages of feeding pellets during the peak egg laying period for the two popular laying hen strains, Hy-Line brown and Hy-Line grey.

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