Efficiency of food egg production used for keeping layers of monochrome light with different wavelengths

Artificial light, as an environmental factor, is crucial for the release of hormones that play a key role in a bird's life, growth, immunity and reproduction. For laying hens, light plays an important role in the development and functioning of the reproductive system, significantly affecting the age of laying the first egg, egg-laying and productivity in general. The source of artificial light of the latest generation in poultry farming is LED lamps. Compared to incandescent and fluorescent lamps, LEDs have a longer service life, specific spectrum, lower heat output, higher energy efficiency and reliability, as well as lower maintenance costs, so they are increasingly used by manufacturers. LEDs are a special type of semiconductor diode that can give monochrome light. However, information on the effect of monochrome light with different wavelengths of light on the physiological state of the hens’ body is quite contradictory. Therefore, the aim of the work was to study the efficiency of egg production using monochrome light with different wavelengths. For this purpose, in the conditions of a modern complex for production of food eggs in a poultry house with an area of 2915 m2, 4 groups of hens of the industrial herd "Hy-Line W-36" were formed, each of which was kept in a separate poultry house similar in area and cage equipment. Each poultry house was equipped with cage batteries "Big Dutchman" (Germany), consisting of 1176 cages with an area of 40544 cm2 (362 × 112 cm). The differences between the poultry houses applied only to LED lamps. Thus, hens of the 1st group were kept using LED lamps with a peak light wavelength of 458 nm (blue color of the spectrum), the 2nd group – 603 nm (yellow color of the spectrum), the 3rd group – 632 nm (orange color of the spectrum) and the 4th group – 653 nm (red color of the spectrum). Every day, for 44 weeks of the productive period, the number of eggs laid by the laying hens of each group and the intensity of their laying were determined. The number of hatched hens (due to death and culling) was also counted daily and the number of livestock was determined. Once a week, the weight of eggs and live weight of laying hens were measured from certain labeled cages according to a sample. The European egg production rate on the basis of productivity was determined. It was found that for the maintenance of laying hens of modern white-egg crosses in 12-tier cage batteries of classical designs, it is advisable to use lighting with a peak wavelength of 653 nm, that is with red light. This makes it possible for the 44-week egg-laying period to receive an additional 4.8–18.8 million eggs from each poultry house (0.4–1.6 thousand eggs per 1 m2 of its area) at the highest level of the European egg production rate at 1.0–3.8 units The decrease in the peak wavelength from 653 to 632 nm, which was manifested by a change in light from red to orange, was accompanied by a decrease in the preservation of livestock by 0.7% (3.8% ˂ normal), body weight – by 0.6% within physiological norms, egg-laying per initial laying hen – by 2.9% (5.3% ˂ norm), which caused a decrease in the gross yield of eggs by 4.5 million eggs and egg mass – by 3273 tons from each poultry house, including 1.6 thousand eggs and 112.3 kg per 1 m2 of its area, with a decrease in the level of European egg production rate by 1.0 units. The decrease in the peak wavelength to 603 nm, that is the change in the color of light from red and orange to yellow, was accompanied by a decrease in the preservation of livestock by 6.0–6.7% (9.8% ˂ normal), body weight – by 1.0 –1.7% within the physiological norm, egg-laying per initial laying hen – by 6.6–10.3% (11.6% ˂ of the norm) and feed consumption – by 0.6–0.7% (7.5%) > norms), which led to a decrease in gross egg yield by 7.8–12.6 million eggs and egg mass – by 505.7–833.0 tons from each poultry house, including 2.7–4.3 thousand eggs and 173.5–285.8 kg per 1 m2 of its area, with a decrease in the level of the European egg production rate by 1.6–2.6 units. The decrease in the peak wavelength to 458 nm, that is the change in light color from red, orange and yellow to blue, is accompanied by a decrease in the preservation of livestock by 4.2–10.9% (14.0% ˂ normal), body weight – by 2,3–4.0% (0.2% ˂ of the norm), egg-laying per initial laying hen – by 5.6–15.3% (16.5% ˂ of the norm) and feed costs – by 2.0–2.7 % (5.3%> norms), which led to a decrease in gross egg yield by 6.1–18.8 million eggs and egg mass – by 365.3–1198.3 tons from each poultry house, including 2.1–6.4 thousand eggs and 125.3–288.9 kg per 1 m2 of its area, with a decrease in the level of the European egg production rate by 1.2–3.8 units.

Soy saponin improves egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens

Background Soy saponin (SS), an active compound in soybean meals, has been widely studied in the medical field. However, it was considered as an anti-nutritional factor in poultry diets. The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of dietary SS using three dietary treatments on egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens. Birds were fed a low soybean meal basal diet (CON), a low-SS diet (50 SS) containing 50 mg/kg SS, or a high-SS diet (500 SS) containing 500 mg/kg SS for 10 weeks. At the end of the 5th and 10th week of the trial, samples were collected for analysis. Results Results showed that with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation, the egg production rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and eggshell quality tended to be improved. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were also elevated as well as the peripheral blood LPS stimulation index, the proportion of B lymphocytes, and antibody titer of bovine serum albumin (BSA). We also found that mRNA levels of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in ovarian, nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB), Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in spleen were up-regulated at the end of the trial. Additionally, dietary 50 mg/kg SS improved the ileal flora via up-regulating the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Romboutsia and Lactobacillus delbrueckii. Although the immune related indicators were improved with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented, it seemed to have a negative influence on the laying-performance. Specifically, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the ratio of IFN-γ to IL-4 were increased in the 500 SS group at the end of the trial. The mRNA levels of gonadotropin releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) in Hypothalamus, the estrogen related receptor (ERR) in ovaries were downregulated as well as the egg production rate during the trial with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented. Conclusions The egg production performance was improved by dietary supplemented with 50 mg/kg SS via increasing ovarian FSHR transcription level and serum estrogen level. A beneficial shift in intestinal microflora was recorded, and the immune function of laying hens was also improved with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation. Surprisingly, the long-term supplementation of 500 mg/kg SS exerted a negative impact on the laying performance and physiological functions of the liver of laying hens.

The Effect of Feeding Restriction on the Microbiota and Metabolome Response in Late-Phase Laying Hens

This study investigated cecal bacterial community profile, cecal and serum metabolites, and its biosynthesis pathway in late-phase laying hens during 6 weeks feeding restriction (FR), using 16S rDNA as gene sequencing and non-targeted LC-MS/MS as metabolomics approach. We used three groups (ad libitum, FR20, and FR40). FR can reduce excessive fat in late-phase laying hens, while egg production rate is not affected, except for the FR40 group. In phylum level, FR20 had more population of Bacteriodetes and Firmicutes amongst groups. The same result is at genus level, FR20 were higher of the predominant genus (Bacteroides and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group). Both of FR20 and FR40 reduced Proteobacteria as potential pathogenic bacteria. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that FR20 modified 20 metabolites in cecal and 10 metabolites in serum of laying hens, whereas 48 cecal metabolites and 31 serum metabolites has revealed in FR40. KEGG assay showed FR20 and FR40 upregulated lipid, carbohydrate, amino acid, nucleic acid pathway, and FR40 modified steroid metabolism in cecal analysis. In serum, only FR40 modified lipid, amino acid pathway, and carbohydrate biosynthesis were shown. This study showed that FR during late-phase laying hens altered the microbiome composition, modified metabolites profile and biosynthesis of the cecal as well as serum.

Effect of deep-litter floor and battery cages system on the feed consumption and egg production rate of commercial Layers

This study was designed to determine the effects of deep litter floor and battery cages housing system on layer feed consumption and egg production rate. Thirty two commercial hybrid layers (hyline) of 10 months production age were randomly selected and distributed equally in four deep litter ground cages, and thirty (hyline) layers were kept in battery cages, which consisted of triple deck cages, provided with automatic nipple watering system and front trough feeders. During the experimental period there were slight changes in live body weight, it was about -0.01 kg in deep litter and about 0.04 kg in battery cages system. Layers housed in deep litter system significantly consumed more feed compared to that kept in battery cages except at first week, and best averages of feed conversion ratios were calculated for layers housed in deep litter than that kept in battery cages, differences were significant for second, third, fourth and fifth weeks of experimental period. Egg production rate were significantly different in layers housed in deep litter system through the production period except the first weeks.

Factors affecting Oithona nana and Oithona similis along a salinity gradient

Spatial and temporal variations of reproduction variables of the two cyclopoid copepods Oithona nana Giesbrecht, 1893 and Oithona similis Claus, 1866 were evaluated monthly from September 2007 to August 2008 in four ponds at different salinities in the solar saltern of Sfax, Tunisia, under hypersaline conditions. Along the salinity gradient the abundance of O. nana and O. similis declined from 14,900 ± 15,200 ind. m-3 (A1) to 6,800 ± 7,200 (C31) and from 13,800 ± 17,100 ind. m-3 (A1) to 3,700 ± 5,800 (C31), respectively. The findings showed that the abundance of these Oithona species, particularly the ovigerous females, was positively correlated with the abundance of Diatomeae, and negatively correlated with salinity. The egg production rate (EPR), the egg diameter, the clutch size, as well as the cephalothorax length of mature females, were all negatively correlated with salinity and positively correlated with the abundance of Diatomeae. Along the existing salinity gradient, the EPR decreased from 4.7 ± 0.39 (A1) to 3.2 ± 0.13 (C31) eggs female-1 day-1 and from 5.19 ± 0.46 (A1) to 3.66 ± 0.05 (C31) eggs female-1 day-1 for O. nana and O. similis, respectively, and this could mainly be attributed to the hypersaline conditions. The positive relationship between the abundance of Diatomeae with all traits shows, that these may be a vital component of the diet for the investigated species. The reduction of body size of Oithona along the salinity gradient demonstrates that such a character could mainly be due to a network of causes, related with the confinement and not only to salinity.

Effects of Temperature and Salinity on Egg Production, Hatching, and Mortality Rates in Acartia ohtsukai (Copepoda, Calanoida)

The calanoid copepod Acartia ohtsukai predominates the estuarine and coastal waters of East Asia during summer. Its occurrence characteristics confer it with good potential as live prey for fish larvae through mass culture. To investigate the effect of temperature and salinity combinations on its egg production rate (EPR), hatching success (HS), and mortality rate, experiments were undertaken and repeated three times for combinations of five temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C) and seven salinities (10, 15, 20, 25, 27, 30, and 33 psu). EPR and HS were highest at temperatures of 25 and 30°C, respectively, with a salinity of 27 psu. Mortality rate was highest at 10°C in almost all salinity gradients, whereas it was lower at water temperature and salinity ranges of 20–30°C and 20–30 psu, respectively. These findings indicate that A. ohtsukai can inhabit wide ranges of water temperatures and salinities, and that the optimized condition for mass culture is a combination of water temperature of 25°C and salinity of 27 psu.

The impact of dietary protein:carbohydrate balance on lifespan and reproduction in Protaetia brevitarsis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae)

The establishment of efficient and sustainable production of industrially important insects necessitates the detailed knowledge of the optimal mixture of macronutrients required for maximising their performance and fitness. The white spotted flower chafer, Protaetia brevitarsis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae), is one of the most important edible insects in East Asia with high nutritional and medicinal value. Here, we report how the ratio of protein to digestible carbohydrate (P:C) in the diet influenced lifespan and reproductive performance in the adults of P. brevitarsis. Throughout their lifespan, beetles were fed ad libitum one of five diets with differing P:C ratio (0:1, 3:7, 1:1, 7:3, 1:0). Both lifespan and the number of eggs produced over the lifetime were maximised at the P:C ratio of 3:7 and declined as the ratio deviated away from this optimal P:C composition. Beetles fed a diet containing only protein (P:C 1:0) not only had the shortest lifespan but also exhibited substantially reduced lifetime egg production compared to those fed the other diets. However, the effects of dietary P:C ratio on daily egg production rate and egg hatchability were marginal. The number of eggs produced at each age stage peaked at the age of week 2 and then gradually declined with increasing age, showing the sign of reproductive senescence. Age-specific egg production was higher in beetles confined to three intermediate P:C ratios (3:7, 1:1, 7:3) than those confined to two extreme P:C ratios (0:1, 1:0) throughout their lifespan. The speed of age-related decrease in reproductive performance was the slowest at P:C 3:7. Our data have implications for optimising the production of this edible insect with emerging economic importance.

Royal Jelly Improves the Morphology of the Reproductive Tract, Internal Egg Quality, and Blood Biochemical Parameters in Laying Hens at the Late Stage of Production

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of royal jelly (RJ) on the morphology of the reproductive tract, egg production, and blood biochemical indices of aged laying hens. In total, 120 Lohman Brown laying hens at week 58 of age were randomly assigned into three equal groups. Pure RJ was dissolved in distilled water and injected subcutaneously as follows: the first treatment (R1; 100 mg RJ kg−1); the second treatment (R2; 200 mg RJ kg−1); the control treatment (CON; 1 mL distilled water). Both RJ-treated groups exhibited a significantly higher number of large yellow follicles (LYFs), small yellow follicles (SYFs), and large white follicles (LWFs) (p ˂ 0.05). Furthermore, RJ treatment significantly increased the diameter and weight of the F1 follicles. However, only the R2 group exhibited significantly greater ovary and uterus weights. RJ treatment did not affect the percentage of oviduct and weight of ovarian stroma. In addition, RJ increased the hen–day egg production rate compared with the CON group; however, only the R2 group showed greater egg weight (p = 0.032). RJ treatment also improved the albumen height, Haugh units, and yolk index. The administration of RJ significantly decreased the serum glucose, but increased the levels of serum albumen and cholesterol. In conclusion, RJ treatment may improve the morphology of the reproductive tract (including follicular growth and oviduct morphology), egg production rate, and internal egg quality traits of aged laying hens.

Copepod Production in Warm, Oil Polluted Environment: A Laboratory Investigation of Temora stylifera (Dana, 1849) Adapted to the Gulf of Guinea

Recent studies suggests that sea surface warming, evidently caused by greenhouse gas emissions, magnifies the toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine copepods. We assessed this understanding using Temora stylifera, a calanoid copepod common in the Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding waters, as a case study. The copepod was exposed to moderate (0.2 μg.l-1) and high levels (2.0 μg.l-1) of pyrene under three warming scenarios: (i) a no warming control at 28 °C, the surface temperature of the Gulf of Guinea during stable hydrographic period, (ii) moderate warming (+2 °C) and (iii) severe warming (+4 °C) above the control. Food ingestion rate of the copepod increased with warming without significant effect from the pollutant. Feacal pellet production rate (FP) increased by about 86% when the animal was exposed to moderate warming and pyrene at the same time, signifying reduced assimilation of food ingested in these conditions. Lowest FP (3.5 ± 1.1 copepod-1.day-1) indicating increased food assimilation occurred when the stressors were presented either alone or together. Egg production rate and efficiency of the copepod were impacted by only warming, decreasing by ≈60% under both warming scenarios, consistent with previous observations. Mortality rate increased by ≈ 40 % when pyrene pollution was elevated from nought to the highest level. It did not change significantly with temperature, suggesting warming did not exacerbate the lethal effect of pyrene to T. stylifera. These results are contrary to observations on other copepods and highlight the unique responses of Temora to sea surface warming and petroleum pollution.