Vitamin C Overcomes the Detrimental Effect of Vanadium on Brown Eggshell Pigmentation

Phosphorus supplementation from poor quality feed-grade sources may introduce excessive levels of vanadium (V) into the diets of laying hens. Vanadium in the diet of chickens has been shown to be detrimental to egg production, albumen height, BW, and feed consumption. This study showed that dietary V also has a negative effect on the color of brown eggshells from commercial-type layers. Commercial-type brown egg layers were fed a cornsoybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0, 50, or 100 ppm of V as NH₄ VO₃ to determine the effect on shell pigmentation. Hens fed V at both dietary concentrations laid lighter colored eggs (less redness) after only 2 d. Another experimental group of the same type of hens that were fed lower V concentrations (0, 15, or 30 ppm) also had less shell pigmentation. After the detrimental “bleaching” effect on shell color was observed, these diets were supplemented with 1 of the following: no supplement, 100 ppm of vitamin C, 100 IU of vitamin E, or 100 ppm of β-carotene. Only vitamin C restored the eggshell color of eggs from hens fed both levels of V. When these same antioxidants were added as preventive agents to diets supplemented with 15 ppm of V before the effects of V were established, brown layers benefited again from 100 ppm of vitamin C but not from vitamin E or β-carotene.     

Strain Response of Laying Hens to Varying Dietary Energy Levels With and Without Avizyme Supplementation

The response of 4 strains of laying hens fed diets varying in ME with and without Avizyme 1500 (AVI) supplementation was evaluated in a factorial arrangement study. The strains of laying hens (Hy-Line W-36, Hy-Line Brown, Babcock B300, and Shaver White) were fed 3 diets: moderate ME (2,900 kcal/kg), low ME (2,810 kcal/kg), and low ME with AVI for 28 wk commencing at 22 wk of age. No significant effects of diet, strain, or their interaction on feed intake and BW change were observed. Lack of an effect on feed intake was surprising given the different levels of ME. It is hypothesized that the reduced dietary ME was not low enough to elicit a response. Of course, dietary level of ME did change caloric intake among hens, with hens fed moderate ME consuming more calories than those fed low ME with or without AVI. There was an interesting dietary ME × strain interaction effect on egg production (EP). Babcock B300 hens fed moderate ME and low ME with AVI had greater EP compared with the B300 hens fed low ME, whereas the Shaver White hens had a greater EP when fed a low-ME diet compared with feeding a moderate-ME diet or low-ME diet with AVI. Egg weight and egg mass were significantly affected by strain but not by diet ME. Hy-Line Brown and Babcock B300 hens laid eggs with greater weight and mass in contrast to Hy-Line W-36 or Shaver White. Hy-Line Brown eggs were the largest, whereas Shaver White had greatest egg-specific gravity. Strain significantly affected proportions of albumen vs. yolk in the egg. Across all strains, Hy-Line Brown had more albumen percentage, whereas Hy-Line W-36 had higher wet yolk and yolk solids percentages. The low-ME level fed to laying hens may have been too high to evoke an enzyme response to improve energy utilization by birds. This is important, because to obtain an economic benefit, producers would need to know the proper ME level to feed with the supplemental enzymes.     

Effect of yeast cell wall supplementation in laying hen feed on economic viability,egg production,and egg quality

Yeast cell walls can strengthen the immune system and promote agglutination of gastrointestinal tract pathogens, thereby improving animal health and productivity. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing the diet of commercial laying hens with 0, 225, 450, or 900 ppm of yeast cell wall supplement on hen productive performance, egg quality, and economic viability. Yeast cell wall supplementation increased the feed intake, egg production, egg mass, albumen height, and Haugh unit score. Shell thickness and yolk color also were affected by the treatments. The economic viability analysis demonstrated that although feeding costs more with supplementation, the production of more eggs is possible, resulting in a greater than proportional increase in the gross margin. Thus, yeast cell wall supplementation had beneficial effects on the productive performance of laying hens, improved the internal and external egg quality, and contributed to greater profitability.     

Parental diet effects on egg component weights and shell quality

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding laying hens a low protein and energy diet (LPE), a high protein and energy diet (HPE), and a commercial protein and energy diet (control) on whole egg components, egg weight, and shell quality. The hens were fed their respective diets from 15 to 30 wk of age. At 30 wk of age, egg component weight and percentages were measured along with eggshell quality. The results demonstrated that birds fed the LPE diet had significantly lower albumen, yolk, and total egg weights that the control and HPE groups. The LPE group had significantly lower levels of total albumen protein than the control group. The HPE hens had significantly lower shell thickness and pore concentration than the LPE group, demonstrating that dietary levels of CP and ME can alter not only shell quality component but also albumen protein levels.     

蛋鸡日粮中添加富硒酵母对鸡蛋中硒含量及分布的影响

试验选用产蛋率约为80%的罗曼褐蛋鸡35只,随机分为7组,进行为期30d的饲养试验。A组为对照组,饲以基础日粮,其余6组为试验组,B、C、D组在基础蛋鸡日粮中分别添加0.2mg/kg、0.5mg/kg、1mg/kg硒的亚硒酸钠,E、F、G组在基础蛋鸡日粮中分别添加0.2mg/kg、0.5mg/kg、1mg/kg硒的富硒酵母。试验过程中记录蛋鸡的生产性能,每隔7d从各试验组鸡所产的鸡蛋中任取3枚,测定鸡蛋中硒的含量,并于试验的第14、15天,28、29天从A、C、F组每组各取5枚鸡蛋分别测定蛋黄和蛋清的硒含量。结果显示,日粮中添加硒对蛋鸡生产性能无显著影响,能极显著提高鸡蛋中硒含量,并且硒主要存在蛋黄中,添加富硒酵母组蛋硒含量较亚硒酸钠组提高更为显著。     

高棉籽粕饲粮对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响研究

为了研究高棉籽粕饲粮对蛋鸡生产性能及鸡蛋品质的影响,试验选用26周龄海赛克斯褐蛋鸡60只,随机分为试验组和对照组,试验组饲喂30%的棉籽粕,为期28d,研究高棉籽粕饲粮对蛋鸡生长性能、蛋品质以及对鸡蛋储存后品质的影响。结果表明:①高棉籽粕饲粮对蛋鸡生产性能、鸡蛋常规品质没有显著影响(P>0.05)。②采用物性分析仪测定鸡蛋弹性,当天产新鲜鸡蛋没有出现弹性,经4℃贮藏7d后开始出现弹性,即出现所谓的"橡皮蛋",14d鸡蛋弹性最为明显。经贮藏2周后,试验组鸡蛋蛋黄、蛋白色泽没有变化,无褐色斑点。     

The metabolite products of chlorocholine chloride (CCC) in eggs and meat of laying hens fed 15N-CCC containing diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the metabolic products of chlorocholine chloride (CCC) in eggs and meat of laying hens fed a diet containing (15)N-CCC. Ten brown laying hens were randomly divided into two groups of five each. One group was offered (15)N-CCC free diet while the other group received a diet with 100 ppm (15)N-CCC for 11 days. Samples of eggs and meat from the laying hens were collected. Egg yolks and albumen were separated. Meat was collected from the breast and femur. The metabolic products of CCC were measured using ion trap electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ion trap-ESI-MS/MS). Determination of CCC or its metabolites in eggs and meat showed that CCC was metabolised to choline. Corresponding MS/MS spectra were obtained for m/z 104 (choline) or 105 ((15)N-choline), whereas nothing was detected at m/z 122 (CCC) or 123 ((15)N-CCC). The results from this study indicate that CCC will be metabolised in tissues of laying hens.     

Effects of supplementary iodine on the performance and egg traits of laying hens

1. This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary iodine supplementation on the performance and egg traits of laying hens. A total of 600 SHSY type brown layers aged 21 weeks of age were chosen at random from a large flock. They were randomly distributed into 30 pens at 20 hens per pen. Each treatment comprised 6 replicates of 20 layers in groups of 5 birds. The diets were supplemented with 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 mg/kg iodine as calcium iodate. The experimental period lasted 30 weeks. 2. There were no significant differences among the groups in body weight, food consumption, egg production, food consumption per kg eggs, eggshell index, eggshell breaking strength, shell thickness or egg yolk index. 3. Supplementation of the diet with 12 mg/kg iodine increased food consumption per dozen eggs compared to the groups fed on diets supplemented with 0 and 6 mg/kg iodine. 4. Egg weight was less in groups fed on diets supplemented with 12 and 24 mg/kg iodine than in the group receiving no iodine supplementation. 5. Iodine supplementation to provide 12 and 24 mg/kg reduced egg albumen index and egg Haugh units. 6. There were no significant differences among the groups in egg cholesterol and egg yolk cholesterol contents. 7. The iodine concentrations in egg yolk, egg albumen and whole egg increased with increased iodine supplementation. 8. As a result, the 3 and 6 mg/kg iodine supplementation of diet could be used to enrich the eggs with iodine without any adverse effect on performance and egg traits.     

Self-selection of dietary protein and energy by turkey breeder hens

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of self-selection of dietary protein and energy by turkey hens on reproductive performance in a warm environment. 2. Dietary self-selection had no significant effect on egg production, egg weight, or body weight of turkey hens. 3. Fertility and hatchability of eggs produced by self-selecting hens were significantly reduced compared to eggs from control hens fed on a complete diet. 4. Protein intake was significantly reduced among self-selecting hens when compared to control hens fed on a complete diet (P less than or equal to 0.001). 5. Food and energy intake decreased as the ambient temperature increased. Nevertheless, protein intake of self-selecting hens increased over the course of egg production despite decreasing food intake. Therefore, self-selecting hens preferred a diet with a greater protein content (g protein/kg diet) in the last 10 weeks of egg production than during the first 10 weeks of egg production.     

Effect of supplementation of the laying hen diet with olive leaves (Olea europea L.) on lipid oxidation and fatty acid profile of α-linolenic acid enriched eggs during storage

1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of the layer diet with olive leaves (Olea europea L.) on lipid oxidation and fatty acid profile of α-linolenic acid enriched eggs during refrigerated storage, and to compare this effect with α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation.

2. A total of 72 brown Lohmann laying hens, equally allocated to 3 groups, were fed on diets supplemented with 40?g/kg linseed oil, or linseed oil and olive leaves at 10?g/kg or linseed oil and α-tocopheryl acetate at 200?mg/kg. Collected eggs were analysed for fatty acid profile and lipid oxidation either fresh or following 60?d storage at 4°C.

3. Results showed that olive leaves or α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation reduced lipid hydroperoxide concentration in fresh eggs but had no effect on their fatty acid profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared to controls.

4. Refrigerated storage for 60?d decreased the proportions of PUFAs but increased those of MUFAs in eggs from the control diet, whilst it had no effect on the fatty acid composition of eggs from the diets supplemented with olive leaves or α-tocopheryl acetate, which in turn showed decreased concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides and MDA.     

The laying performance of two strains of hens offered diets containing dried poultry manure during the laying stage

1. Light‐weight (Babcock B300) and medium‐weight (Warren‐SSL) hens were offered diets, containing 0, 100 or 200 g dried poultry manure (DPM) and 11.49, 11.12 or 10.83 MJ metabolisable energy/kg respectively, between 18 and 70 weeks of age. The true protein, metabolisable energy, calcium and phosphorus contents of the DPM, from caged layer hens, were used in the diet formulation.

2. The hen‐housed laying performance of hens offered the DPM‐containing diets was significantly better for number of eggs laid and total egg mass produced but the performance of the control groups was lower than would normally be expected of those stocks. The reason for the lower rate of lay and higher mortality of hens fed on the control diet was not identified. The amount of food consumed increased as the energy content of the diet decreased and the efficiency of food conversion (EFC) of the lightweight strain was reduced; there was no significant effect on the EFC of the medium‐weight hens.

3. The inclusion of DPM in the diets had no effect on albumen quality or on the incidence of hair‐cracked, cracked or broken eggs. However, with both strains of hens, shell weight and shell thickness were poorer when 100 or 200 g DPM/kg diets were fed.     

Effects of dietary borate and aluminate on riboflavin metabolism in the breeding hen

Breeding hens were used to investigate the effects of aluminate and borate ingestion on riboflavin metabolism. Groups of six hens were fed on either a control diet, or the control diet plus 15 g kg-1 of either sodium metaborate or sodium meta-aluminate. All diets contained 6 mg kg-1 riboflavin. Daily egg production per hen in the borate group had mean values of 0.71, 0.21 and 0.02 for the three weeks of the study. The values were 0.91, 0.91, 0.86 and 0.86, 0.74, 0.89 for the control and aluminate groups, respectively. Fertility (fertile eggs per 100 set) and hatchability (live chicks per 100 fertile eggs) were both nil in the borate-treated hens, compared with 57 and 95 and 59 and 100 for the control and aluminate-treated hens, respectively. Fluorimetric analysis of blood plasma, egg yolk and albumen showed that the riboflavin contents of all tissues were greatly reduced in the borate-treated hens. Borate ingestion can therefore induce a severe riboflavin deficiency in the hen, but aluminium, a more universal contaminant of food or water, did not impair riboflavin metabolism when fed as aluminate.     

Effect of storage duration on egg quality,embryo mortality and hatchability in FUNAAB-ɑ chickens

Effect of extended storage on egg quality, embryo mortality and hatchability in FUNAAB-ɑ chickens was determined. Hatchable eggs (n = 288; weighing 53.2 ± 4.67 g) collected from a flock of FUNAAB-ɑ layer breeder hens aged 32 weeks were stored in egg tray with broad end up under 16 ± 1.5°C for either 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 20 d. Before incubation, eight eggs from each group were evaluated for internal and external quality traits. Remaining eggs were set in an incubator and transferred into hatcher on embryonic day 18. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Egg weight loss (EWL; p < .001), surface area (p < .001), yolk diameter (p < .001), inner and outer blastoderm diameters (p < .05) and dead in germ (DIG; p < .001) increased with storage duration while yolk height (p < .001), yolk index (p < .001), albumen weight (p < .05), albumen height (p < .05), albumen index (p < .01), Haugh's unit (HU; p < .05), fertility (p < .001), hatchability of set (HATCHS; p < .001) and fertile eggs (p < .05) decreased. Weight losses of 0, 1.2, 2.2, 3.4, 4.6 and 6.1% were recorded in egg stored for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 days respectively. Eggs stored beyond 8 days exhibited higher DIG and lower HATCHS. Shell percentage in 4 days storage (11.4%) was lower (p < .05) than in 16 days storage (13.4%). Shell thickness was similar in eggs stored for 0 to 12 days, but 8 days storage (0.60 mm) had thinner (p < .01) shell than day 16 (0.71 mm) and day 20 (0.73 mm) storage. Internal quality unit (IQU) was higher (p < .05) in fresh eggs (180.4) than in 12 days (167.8) and 20 days (167.8) stored eggs. Extended storage of FUNAAB-ɑ eggs caused EWL, surface area shrinkage, lowered HU and IQU, loss of yolk and albumen quality, increased blastoderm diameters and DIG, and decreased egg fertility and HATCHS from day 8 forward. Storing FUNAAB-ɑ eggs beyond 8 days reduced quality parameters; therefore, other mitigating factors are recommended when storing beyond 8 days.     

生物发酵饲料对蛋鸡生产性能和鸡蛋品质的影响

［目的］旨在研究生物发酵饲料对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响。［方法］选取8 000只367日龄健康海兰褐蛋鸡,随机分成2组,每组4 000羽蛋鸡。第1组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;第2组为试验组,饲喂在基础日粮中添加4%发酵棕榈粕的混合饲料,试验期为45 d。［结果］试验第45天,试验组较对照组平均日产蛋重提高6.62% （P〈0.05）,料蛋比降低4.56%（P〈0.05）;相比对照组,试验组蛋白高度、哈氏单位分别增加了9.56%（P〈0.05）和6.31%（P〈0.05）,差异显著;试验组蛋黄颜色等级高于对照组,差异极显著（P〈0.01）。［结论］在蛋鸡日粮中添加发酵棕榈粕可提高其平均日产蛋重、哈氏单位,增加蛋白高度,提升蛋黄颜色等级、蛋鸡产蛋性能和蛋品质量。     

Biofortification of hens’ eggs with microelements by innovative bio‐based dietary supplement

New bio‐based dietary supplement with micronutrients for livestock was elaborated. The new preparation was tested on laying hens to determine the influence of new biological feed additives on the level of trace elements in egg content. The diet of laying hens (Hy‐Line Brown, 30 weeks of age) was supplemented with soya bean meal enriched with Cu(II), Zn(II), Fe(II) and Cr(III) by biosorption. A total of 150 laying hens were divided into five groups: one control and four experimental. In the control group, microelements were supplemented in the inorganic form, whereas in experimental groups, Cu, Zn, Fe and Cr were replaced with soya bean meal enriched with a given microelement ion. The feeding experiment was conducted for 12 weeks and was divided into three series. The results showed that adding the new feed additives to the diet of laying hens had an impact on microelement transfer to eggs, in particular with increased dosing. Eggs were biofortified with iron, zinc and copper and to a lesser extent with chromium. The microelements were accumulated primarily in the albumen because soy protein was the carrier of micronutrient ions in hens’ diet. Transfer of trace elements to eggs was not linearly dependent on the dosage of biologically bound microelements in the diet.     

Effects of supplemental L-carnitine in drinking water on performance and egg quality of laying hens exposed to a high ambient temperature

The present study was conducted to investigate effects of L-carnitine supplied with drinking water on performance and egg quality of laying hens under high environmental temperature. In the study, 47-week-old laying hens (Brown hisex) were divided into two groups (control and treatment) and fed with a standard layer diet. Treatment group was received 50 p.p.m L-carnitine with drinking water for an 8-week period. Throughout the study, 8 h hot (35-37 degrees C) and 16 h thermoneutral (20-22 degrees C) environmental temperature regime was employed daily. The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation affected some egg quality characteristics of layers under high environmental temperature. Relative albumen weight and height were increased (p < 0.05) by supplemental L-carnitine. Live weight gain, feed intake, egg mass, egg weight, yolk weight, shell weight, yolk index, egg-shape index, yolk colour score and shell thickness were not affected (p < 0.05) by L-carnitine. It is concluded that L-carnitine supplementation in laying hens could have potential to improve albumen quality under high environmental temperature.     

Egg quality and lipid composition of eggs from hens fed Camelina sativa

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding Camelina sativa to layer birds on egg production, egg quality characteristics, egg lipids, and fatty acid and lipid oxidation products. Fifty-eight-week-old ISA Brown Leghorn laying hens (n = 48) were kept in individual cages and were fed a corn- and soybean meal-based diet with added Camelina meal at 0%, (control), 5%, (CAM5), 10% (CAM10), and 15% (CAM15). The experimental diets were fed for a period of 80 d. Hen-day egg production was lowest for CAM15 (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in yolk weight was observed for CAM10 and CAM15 eggs when compared with control eggs (P < 0.05). Yolk weight, as a percentage of egg weight, was lower for CAM10 and CAM15 eggs, whereas albumen weight, as a percentage of egg weight, was higher in CAM10 and CAM15 eggs than in control eggs (P < 0.05). The yolk:albumen ratio was higher in control eggs than in CAM10 and CAM15 eggs (P < 0.05). Egg total fat content was lowest for CAM15 eggs and was 31.5, 31.9, 30.8, and 29.5 for control, CAM5, CAM10, and CAM15 eggs, respectively (P < 0.05). Total n-3 fatty acids constituted 0.32% in control eggs compared with 2.54, 2.69, and 2.99% in CAM5, CAM10, and CAM15 eggs (P < 0.05). An 8-fold increase in docosahexaenoic acid was observed in CAM15 eggs when compared with control eggs (P < 0.05). The n-6:n-3 ratio was 14.8, 5.6, 4.6, and 4.3 for control, CAM5, CAM10, and CAM15 eggs, respectively (P < 0.05). Total saturated fats were lowest for CAM5 and CAM10 eggs. Eggs from the CAM15 regimen had higher TBA-reactive substance values (P < 0.05) than those from the CAM5, CAM10, or control regimen. Camelina meal could be incorporated into poultry rations as a source of energy, protein, and essential n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. However, inclusion of more than 10% Camelina meal in the hen diet may affect egg lipid quality aspects. Therefore, measures for minimizing lipid peroxidation should be used to enhance egg quality and lipid stability.     

腐植酸对蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋性能、抗氧化及促产蛋激素分泌的影响

试验旨在探究天然腐植酸和合成腐植酸对蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能、蛋品质、血清生化指标、抗氧化指标和激素水平的影响。选取52周龄体重、产蛋率相近的海兰白蛋鸡405羽,随机分成3个组,每组9个重复,每个重复15羽。对照组饲喂基础饲粮(CON组),试验组在基础饲粮中分别添加1 000 mg/kg的天然腐植酸A(HAA组)和合成腐植酸B(HAB组),预试期2周,正试期8周。结果表明:与CON组相比,添加腐植酸均可提高平均蛋重(P<0.05),降低不合格蛋率(P<0.05)和料蛋比(P<0.01),其中HAA组产蛋率极显著提高,HAA组的料蛋比低于HAB组(P<0.01);饲粮添加腐植酸对蛋品质无显著影响;与CON组相比,HAA组血清中白蛋白含量降低(P<0.05),HAB组乳酸脱氢酶活性提高(P<0.05),HAA组与HAB组血清中甘油三酯含量均降低(P<0.01);相比于CON组,添加HAB可提高谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性(P<0.05);与CON组相比,饲粮中添加腐植酸提高了血清中促黄体素水平(P<0.01),对促卵泡素水平有升高趋势(P=0.060),且HAA组中促卵泡素水平高于HAB组(P<0.01)。结果提示,腐植酸可促进机体促性腺激素分泌,改善机体抗氧化水平,显著提高产蛋后期蛋鸡的生产性能,且天然提取的腐植酸作用效果更佳。     

The effect of maternal vitamin D source on broiler hatching egg quality,hatchability, and progeny bone mineral density and performance

Vitamin D is involved in calcium metabolism as well as bone and shell quality, and is therefore important to broiler breeders. In this research we investigated the effects of maternal dietary 25-OH vitamin D₃ on broiler breeder egg quality and hatchability, as well as on progeny bone mineral density and performance. In a field study, all hens were fed 3,000 IU of vitamin D₃ (D) per kilogram of complete feed; in addition half of the hens also received 34.5 µg of 25-OH vitamin D₃ per liter in the drinking water (25OHD). Eggs from each treatment group were incubated and hatched; chicks were fed a common diet and grown to 41 d of age. Eggs from hens in the 25OHD treatment had a nearly 30% reduction in early embryo mortality. However, a larger egg size resulted in greater chick BW for the D chicks, although this did not affect broiler production performance. Broilers from the maternal 25OHD treatment had a lower FCR during the grower phase. Unexpectedly, chick plasma 25-OH vitamin D₃ was only greater for the maternal 25OHD treatment at 4 d of age, but not at hatch, 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 14 d of age. Maternal vitamin D₃ source did not affect progeny 41-d bone mineral density. Maternal 25-OH vitamin D₃ had a protective effect on the growing embryo, reducing early embryonic mortality, with minimal effects on progeny performance and bone mineral density to processing at 41 d of age. The previously reported effects of 25-OH vitamin D₃ on increasing broiler performance and breast yield seem to be dependent on supplementation of the broiler diet; a carry-over effect of maternal supplementation is insufficient to achieve these effects.     

Impacts of dried whole eggs on productive performance, quality of fresh and stored eggs, reproductive organs and lipid metabolism of laying hens

1. Rejected eggs were processed by freezing, freezing and boiling, or autoclaving, dried at 55°C, and the chemical and amino-acid analysis and microbiological properties of the dried whole eggs (DWE) determined. The processed DWE was included in a laying-hen mash diet at 50 or 100 g/kg, mainly to replace soybean meal and maize, in a factorial design of 3×2 and fed to hens between 25 and 41 weeks of age. In addition, a control diet without DWE was used to create a total of 7 treatments; each having 5 replicates of 5 hens. 2. Hens fed the diet containing 50-g/kg frozen and boiled DWE and 100-g/kg frozen DWE laid the largest egg size, while hens fed the 50-g/kg frozen and boiled or autoclaved DWE diets yielded the highest egg mass and best feed conversion efficiency. 3. Hens fed the 50-g/kg frozen DWE laid eggs with a higher yolk indices, Haugh unit scores, and eggshell thickness and maintained higher Haugh unit scores during egg storage. 4. Yolk cholesterol significantly decreased in eggs from groups fed either the 50-g/kg frozen or autoclaved DWE diet, with freezing having the stronger effect. 6. In conclusion, 50-g/kg autoclaved DWE diets fed to laying hens between 25 and 41 weeks of age had no adverse effects on production, egg quality or reproductive organs, but decreased yolk cholesterol, and thus could be beneficially included in laying-hen diets.