Potential of dried cassava pulp as an alternative energy source for laying hens

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential use of dried cassava pulp (DCP) with reference to productive performance, nutrient digestibility, egg quality, egg yolk cholesterol, cecal microbial populations, and volatile fatty acids production in laying hens. In experiment 1, a total of 48 laying hens (Isa Brown) were placed in individual cages and assigned randomly to one of 6 dietary treatment groups consisting of a control and 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% DCP for 10 d. Feeding laying hens with diets containing up to 20% DCP did not affect the dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility and nitrogen (N) retention (P > 0.05). In experiment 2, a total of 288 laying hens (Isa Brown) were randomly distributed to 6 dietary groups (one control and 5 DCP: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%) for 12 wk. The results show that diets containing up to 20% DCP had no significant effects on productive performance or egg quality (P > 0.05). The inclusion of DCP at levels of 20 to 25% showed a positive effect on decreased egg yolk cholesterol (P < 0.05). In addition, DCP also increased the cecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations, acetic acid, and propionic acid production. In conclusion, DCP can be used as part of the energy source in laying hen diets at up to 20% inclusion, without showing negative effects on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and egg quality. Feeding DCP can potentially modulate egg yolk cholesterol and cecal microbial populations and alter volatile fatty acids production.     

Effect of excess dietary threonine on laying performance,egg quality,serum free amino acids,and digestive enzymes activities of laying hens during the postpeak period

A total of 640 layer hens, 56 wk of age, were allocated to 4 dietary treatments groups, each of which included 5 replicates of 32 hens. Graded levels ofl-Thr were added to the basal diet at 0.0 (control), 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g/kg; determined Thr values were 5.7, 6.5, 7.4, and 8.7 g/kg of diet, respectively. In the 53-d feeding trial, egg production increased significantly due to dietaryl-Thr supplementation. Hens fed 2.0 g of Thr/kg of diet had significantly higher egg production than the control diet. Supplementing the diet withl-Thr did not affect egg weight or feed intake, but egg mass increased significantly. Also, FCR was improved significantly and the best FCR was exhibited by hens receiving 2.0 g of Thr/kg of diet. Feeding laying hens a diet containing 2.0 g ofl-Thr/kg of diet improved Haugh units linearly; however, egg shell thickness decreased linearly as the level of dietary Thr increased, and the lowest value was observed for hens fed 3.0 g of Thr/kg of diet. Serum free Thr increased linearly as supplemental Thr increased, but serum free Ile, Phe, and Tyr decreased. No differences attributable tol-Thr were found among groups in the activity of digestive enzymes (trypsin and amylase) in the mucosal homogenates of the jejunum. The activity of α-alkaline phosphatase in the jejunum was analyzed as a marker of mucosal enterocyte maturation and no differences due tol-Thr supplementation were noted. In conclusion, feeding laying hens from 56 to 64 wk of agel-Thr up to 2.0 g/kg can improve laying performance and Haugh units.     

能量水平对粉壳蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质量的影响

为研究不同能量水平对产蛋性能和蛋品质量的影响,试验选用504只194日龄罗曼粉蛋鸡,试验共设3个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复33～35只,分别饲喂三个能量水平(10.88、11.09、11.30 MJ/kg)的日粮。试验共进行30 d。试验结果表明,各处理组在采食量、产蛋率、平均蛋重、料蛋比、蛋壳强度和哈夫单位等方面差异不显著;表明能量水平在50～100 kcal/kg范围内波动,对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质量未产生显著影响。     

Bitter vetch as a single dietary ingredient for molt induction in laying hens

Molting is used to increase productivity in the second laying cycle of commercial laying flocks. We report here the applicability of whole grain of bitter vetch as an alternative method for molt induction in laying hens. A total of 120 laying hens were molted by feed withdrawal (FW), a high-Zn diet (HZn), a moderate-Zn and Ca-P-deficient diet (MZn-CaP), or whole grain of bitter vetch (BV). Egg production ceased first in FW-treated hens and last in MZn-CaP-treated hens (P < 0.05). The rest period was longer (P < 0.05) in hens exposed to the BV diet, which proved to be comparable with the FW treatment for postmolt egg production. Egg mass for 4 to 16 wk after the molting was greater (P < 0.05) for hens molted by BV than hens molted by the MZn-CaP diet. Egg weight and yolk color were not (P > 0.05) significantly different among various molting induction methods. Albumen height and Haugh unit of eggs from hens molted by BV, for the most part of the experimental period, were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than for birds on the MZn-CaP diet and unmolted hens. In conclusion, use of BV grain as a single dietary ingredient proved to be effective in molt induction and improving postmolt egg production and internal egg quality when compared with unmolted hens.     

Effects of nanocalcium carbonate on egg production performance and plasma calcium of laying hens

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of nanocalcium carbonate (NCC) instead of calcium carbonate (CC) on egg production, egg weight, egg mass, FCR, blood calcium and egg quality characteristics in laying hens. A total of 120 laying hens were used in a 10‐weeks trial, from week 23 to 33 of age. Laying hens were randomly assigned to six treatments with four replications, five hens each. The experimental treatments involved replacing 50% of the CC in the diet by decreasing amounts of NCC and were T1 Basal diet (BD) with 8.06% CC; T2 (6.045% of CC as a negative control); T3 (4.03% of CC replaced by 2.015% NCC); T4 (4.03% of CC replaced by 1.01% NCC); T5 (4.03% of CC replaced by 0.252% NCC) and T6 (4.03 of CC replaced with 0.126%NCC).Egg weight was unaffected by dietary treatments (p > .05). However, the egg production percentage and egg mass in T6 were less than that of other treatments (p < .05). The laying hens in the control group had the best average feed conversion ratio (p < .05). Also, the lowest concentration of calcium in hens’ blood was recorded for birds fed T6 (p < .05). The best egg shell quality (relative egg shell weight and egg shell weight/surface) was observed in T1 (p < .05).Collectively, our results demonstrated that NCC could replace CC at a lower inclusion level but extreme reduction of calcium concentration in diets (to 1.43% Ca in the T6 group) reduced production performance, egg quality characteristics, Tibia thickness and blood calcium of laying hens.     

海藻饲料添加剂对蛋鸡产蛋性能、血清抗氧化性及生长的影响

试验研究了在蛋鸡饲粮中添加不同剂量的海藻饲料添加剂对蛋鸡产蛋性能、血清抗氧化性、生长及营养物质消化率等的影响。选取360只26周龄体重相近的海兰褐蛋鸡,随机分为6组(每组3个重复,每个重复20只鸡),1组为空白对照组,饲喂基础饲粮;2组为抗生素对照组,在基础饲粮中添加0.005%的杆菌肽锌;3~6组为试验组,分别在基础饲粮中添加0.02%、0.04%、0.06%、0.08%的菊粉,0.025%、0.050%、0.100%、0.150%的大西洋海藻粉及相同剂量的铜藻粉(以下简称低、中、较高、高剂量海藻复合物),预试期7 d,正式试验期63 d。结果表明:海藻饲料添加剂对蛋鸡的产蛋性能有明显的剂量-效应关系,添加量为中等剂量海藻复合物(4组)时最佳且差异显著(P<0.05)。此添加量下,蛋鸡血清中超氧化物歧化酶活性最高(P<0.05)。试验中粗纤维的表观消化率随添加剂量的增加而增加(P<0.05)。低剂量试验组体重增长最多且差异显著(P<0.05)。试验结果表明,基础饲粮中添加中剂量海藻复合物作为蛋鸡饲料添加剂,能够显著提升蛋鸡产蛋性能及血清抗氧化性。     

Mussel shells as an environment enrichment and calcium source for floor-housed laying hens

Feather pecking is still a behavioral problem in laying hen flocks, resulting in impaired welfare and economic losses. Environment enrichment, e.g., providing access to litter, to increase foraging behavior in laying hens has been shown to decrease feather pecking. This study investigated the effect of spreading crushed mussel shells (particle size 10 to 20 mm) in the litter area as an environment enrichment and source of calcium for layers receiving a commercial feed and for layers given a feed with 40% less calcium. These treatments were compared with a control involving hens given the commercial feed, but no mussel shells in the litter. The study included 900 Dekalb White layers housed in a single-tier floor system during a production cycle (20 to 72 wk of age). The mussel shells were consumed to a lower extent than predicted, resulting in calcium deficiency in hens fed the low-calcium diet. This in turn was evident as increased degree of keel bone deviations and lower eggshell breaking strength. Daily addition of crushed mussel shells to the litter for laying hens on a balanced or calcium-deficient diets did not generate any positive effects on bird feather cover, eggshell quality, production performance, or fearfulness. Hence, with the particle size of mussel shells used in this study, there was no indication of improved welfare due to environment enrichment.     

桑树叶粉作为饲料蛋白原料对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响

文章旨在研究不同水平的烘干桑树叶粉对产蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响。试验选择产蛋性能一致的26周龄海兰粉壳蛋鸡900只,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复45只鸡。试验采用单因素试验设计,共含4种日粮。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型日粮,3个处理组分别在基础日粮中添加10%、15%和20%的桑树叶粉,试验共开展12周。结果:日粮中桑树叶粉添加水平显著影响蛋鸡的生产性能(P<0.05);随着桑树叶添加水平的升高,蛋鸡产蛋率、采食量、蛋重和平均蛋重显著降低(P<0.05)。随着桑树叶粉添加水平的升高,鸡蛋哈夫单位显著提高(P<0.05),蛋黄和蛋壳重量显著降低(P<0.05);32周龄鸡蛋蛋黄颜色L、a、b评分显著升高(P<0.05),20%桑树叶粉组蛋黄颜色L、a、b评分最高(P<0.05)。日粮添加10%~20%桑树叶粉较对照组均显著提高了38周龄鸡蛋蛋黄颜色L、a、b评分(P<0.05),其中蛋黄颜色L和a评分随桑树叶粉添加水平的升高显著升高(P<0.05)。结论:日粮桑树叶粉添加水平可以达到10%,其对蛋鸡的产蛋性能和蛋品质无负面影响。蛋鸡日粮添加桑树叶粉可以提高产蛋高峰期鸡蛋蛋黄的着色效果。     

有机源锌和锰对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋壳和骨质量的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加有机源锌和锰替代无机锌和无机锰对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋壳和骨骼质量的影响。试验选择31周龄产蛋性能接近的罗曼粉壳蛋鸡616只,随机分为7组,每组4个重复,每个重复22只。基础日粮锌和锰含量分别为50和30 mg/kg,对照组饲喂基础日粮,分别添加氧化锌和硫酸锰(锌40 mg/kg,锰60 mg/kg)。处理组分别在基础日粮中添加20 mg/kg有机锌,30 mg/kg有机锰、20 mg/kg有机锌+30 mg/kg有机锰、40 mg/kg有机锌、60 mg/kg有机锰、40 mg/kg有机锌+60 mg/kg有机锰,上述含量均以相应元素计。试验共进行7周。结果显示:日粮用有机锌或锰替代50%或100%无机锌、锰对蛋鸡生产性能相关参数均无显著影响(P> 0.05)。对照组相比,有机锌或锰替代无机锌或锰的比例对32、46、60和74周龄蛋鸡蛋壳相对重量、蛋壳密度和蛋壳厚度均无显著影响(P> 0.05)。与对照组相比,30 mg/kg有机锰、20 mg/kg有机锌+30 mg/kg有机锰组的蛋壳强度显著提高(P <0.05)。40 mg/kg有机锌+60 mg/kg有机锰组较无机锌、锰组显著提高了60、74周龄及全期蛋壳强度(P <0.05)。日粮添加有机锌或锰对胫骨物理参数及胫骨和趾骨灰分含量均无显著影响。结论 :日粮添加有机锌、锰替代无机锌锰对蛋鸡产蛋性能和骨质量无影响,但可以降低蛋鸡由于年龄升高对蛋壳强度的负面影响。     

Effects of phenyllactic acid on production performance,egg quality parameters,and blood characteristics in laying hens

Organic acids have been widely used as feed additives to replace antibiotics in livestock feeds. Data on the use of phenyllactic acid (PLA) are lacking. The effects of PLA on production performance, egg quality parameters, and blood characteristics in laying hens were studied in a 35-d experiment. A total of 240 ISA Brown 36-wk-old layers were divided into the following 4 treatments: 1) control (basal diet), 2) control + 0.1% PLA, 3) control + 0.2% PLA, and 4) control + 0.3% PLA. Although supplementing the diet with PLA did not affect ADFI and FE, it linearly improved egg production rate, eggshell breaking strength, and Haugh units. Egg weight, eggshell thickness, and egg yolk color were not significantly altered by supplementing the diet with PLA. White blood cell, red blood cell, total protein, and albumin concentrations were higher in the control + 0.1% PLA and control treatment groups (P < 0.05), whereas the groups fed the control + 0.2% PLA and control + 0.3% PLA diets had greater (P < 0.05) lymphocyte concentrations. In conclusion, PLA may exert some positive effects to the immune system and egg production over the short term. It may be beneficial to supplement the diets of laying hens with PLA in the absence of antibiotics. This experiment involved a small experimental sample and a short time, so the beneficial effects of PLA should be studied further in commercial farms over the long term.     

Effects of Chinese herbal mixture on performance,egg quality and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Chinese herbal mixture (CHM) in laying hen diets on performance, egg quality and egg nutrition components, as well as selected blood biochemical parameters. A total of 270 Lohmann Brown laying hens, 24 week of age, were randomly distributed into three dietary treatments and fed for 6 week. The CHM was used at the levels of 0%, 0.5% and 1.0% in the diets of the control and two treatment groups respectively. Each dietary treatment was divided into five replicates, comprising of 18 hens each. Hens were housed in a 3‐tier battery system. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Blood samples and eggs were collected at the end of the experiment. The results showed that dietary treatments did not affect egg weight, mortality, eggshell thickness, albumen height, Haugh units, eggshell‐breaking strength and egg‐shape index. Dietary supplementation of CHM significantly improved (p < 0.05) laying rate and the lowest feed conversion ratio were observed with 1.0% CHM supplementation diets. CHM supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) cracked‐egg rate, egg yolk cholesterol, blood serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and increased blood serum levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). No differences in serum total protein, serum albumen, serum glucose and aspartate amino transferase (AST) were observed in hens fed CHM. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with CHM improved egg production and egg quality and reduced serum cholesterol concentrations in laying hens. Dietary supplementation of 1.0% CHM in layer diets may be a feasible means of producing eggs with lower cholesterol and higher egg yolk phospholipid contents for health conscious consumers.     

Evaluation of amino-acid supplemented diets varying in protein levels for laying hens

The ideal amino acid concept is increasing by being applied to laying hens. However, understanding the responses of modern laying hens to decreasing levels of dietary protein balanced with crystalline amino acids has yet to be examined. In this study, 5 dietary treatments varying in CP content (18.0, 17.5, 17.0, 16.5, and 16.0%) were formulated at a fixed dietary energy concentration of 2,825 kcal of ME/kg of feed. The crystalline amino acids, including Met, Thr, Ile, Val, Trp, and Lys, were supplemented according to an assumed ideal AA profile, and all diets contained 0.831% ileal digestible Lys. Irrespective of the CP levels, the ratio of Lys and the profile of different essential amino acids in relation to Lys remained similar in all the diets. A total of 540 21-week-old Hy-Line W36 hens were used with 6 replicates per treatment group. This trial was conducted for a period of 14 wk, ranging from wk 21 to 34. Egg production, daily egg mass, feed intake, and FCR were not affected in the low-protein groups. Egg weight and N excretion declined, whereas egg yolk color increased in the low-protein groups. Decreasing dietary CP was found to have no effect on blood ammonia and plasma uric acid. The application of the assumed ideal AA profile can lead to reduced dietary protein level, from 18 to 16%, without affecting the production performance of laying hens during 21 to 34 wk of age. The ratios of standardized ileal digestible Met, Met + Cys, Thr, Trp, Arg, Ile, and Val to standardized ileal digestible Lys were 50, 91, 70, 21, 104, 80, and 88%, respectively, in the assumed ideal AA profile. Excretion of nitrogen was significantly decreased from hens fed the protein-reduced diet without impairing BW.     

维生素E对蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋性能和蛋品质的影响

文章旨在研究日粮中不同梯度维生素E添加水平对蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋性能和蛋品质的影响.试验选择60周龄罗曼白壳商品蛋鸡300羽,试验随机分为5组,添加水平分别为0(对照组),30、60、120、240 mg/kg,每组6个重复,每个重复10羽鸡,预试期1周,正试期8周.结果表明:与对照组相比,蛋鸡产蛋后期日粮中添加120 m...     

The effect of monochromatic light-emitting diode light on reproductive traits of laying hens

Artificial illumination is an important exogenous factor in the control of many physiological and behavioral processes in the management of layers. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of monochromatic light on reproductive traits, fertility, and quality of eggs of local mountainous laying hens of China. Five hundred fifty-two19-wk-old hens were randomly divided into 4 groups, with each group consisting of 138 birds. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Light treatments were control white (mini-incandescent light bulbs), blue (480 nm), green (560 nm), and red (660 nm). Birds maintained under green light produced fewer eggs than other groups. The red light group had a greater egg shape index than other groups and had greater fertility and hatchability than other groups. Egg weight was affected by light wavelength, but the rate of egg production was not. The ratio between egg components can be changed by the light source without changing the egg weight. Egg quality was the best for hens exposed to the green light.     

Effects of an aqueous alfalfa extract on production performance, egg quality and lipid metabolism of laying hens

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an aqueous alfalfa extract (AAE) on production performance, egg quality and lipid metabolism of laying hens between 28 and 36 weeks of age. Four groups of commercial hens (Hy-Line Brown) were fed with diets containing 0, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15% AAE. Dietary AAE had no effect on egg production parameters (p > 0.05). Shell strength was increased (linear and quadratic effects; p < 0.05) with gradient addition of AAE. Furthermore, shell strength was notably higher (p < 0.05) in 0.1% and 0.15% AAE groups than the control group. With an exception of serum low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum total triglycerides and liver cholesterol concentration (day 42), lipid indices in yolk, serum and liver were lowered (linear and quadratic effects; p < 0.05) at day 42 and day 56 as AAE in diets increased, as well as the enzyme activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase. In relation to the control group, cholesterol and triglycerides in yolk, liver and serum and serum very low density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower in 0.15% AAE-treated birds at day 42 and day 56. It also significantly decreased activities of ACC, HMG-CoA reductase and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) at day 56. The 0.1% AAE decreased triglycerides in yolk, liver and serum, as well as the activities of ACC and FAS at day 56. These data suggest that dietary AAE could be applied to improve egg shell quality and modify the lipid status of laying hens and eggs.