Sulphur amino acid requirement of laying hens and the effects of excess dietary methionine on laying performance

1. Individually‐caged laying hens were fed on maize‐soya bean meal diets containing 11.50 or 12.35 MJ ME/kg with sulphur amino acid (SAA) contents varying from 5.0 to 7.0 g/kg in period 1 (0 to 20 weeks); from 5.0 to 8.0 g/kg in period 2 (21 to 36 weeks) and from 5.0 to 10.0 g/kg in period 3 (37 to 52 weeks).

2. A SAA requirement of about 750 mg/hen d, of which about 425 mg was methionine, was found to be adequate for birds producing on average 51 g egg mass per hen d over 52 weeks. The SAA requirement was found to be higher for maximum efficiency of food utilisation than for maximum egg yield.

3. A diet containing 140 g protein/kg adequately supplemented with methionine and lysine, could sustain laying performance almost identical to that achieved on a diet containing 167 g protein/kg.

4. In diets with 140 g protein/kg the addition of 0.5 to 3.5 g dl‐methionine/kg diet in excess of the requirement did not affect egg production adversely, but food conversion efficiency was decreased.     

Effect of dietary ascorbic acid on the performance of laying hens under warm environmental conditions

Two trials were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) on the performance of laying hens maintained under high environmental temperatures (32.2 °C and 33.3 °C, respectively), and a third trial was carried out under ambient conditions (12.8 °C to 17.3 °C).

Weekly changes in egg yield, shell deformation, percentage of cracked eggs and body weight showed an improvement in the AA‐supplemented birds but the differences were non‐significant. Egg yield and percentage of cracked eggs were not affected when the diet was supplemented with AA under ambient conditions.     

饲粮色氨酸水平对蛋鸡生产性能、抗氧化性能及内分泌激素的影响

为了探讨饲粮色氨酸水平对蛋鸡生产性能及血清生化指标的影响,试验将720羽300日龄罗曼蛋鸡随机分成5组,每组3个重复,每个重复48羽。对照组饲喂色氨酸含量为0.16%的基础日粮,试验Ⅰ～Ⅳ组在基础日粮的基础上分别添加400mg/kg、800mg/kg、1,200mg/kg、1,600mg/kgL-色氨酸,使色氨酸水平分别达到0.2%、0.24%、0.28%和0.32%,预饲1周,试验期49d。结果表明,试验Ⅰ组产蛋率显著高于对照组和其他试验组(P<0.05),各组间平均蛋重、平均日采食量和料蛋比均无显著差异(P>0.05);试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组血清丙二醛(MDA)含量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);各组间血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性无显著差异(P>0.05);试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组血清、肝脏中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);各组间肝脏组织MDA含量及SOD活性均无显著差异(P>0.05);试验Ⅰ组蛋鸡血清三碘甲腺原氨酸(T3)含量显著高于对照组和其他试验组(P<0.05);各组间血清甲状腺素(T4)和促甲状腺素(TSH)含量均差异不显著(P>0.05);试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组血清中促卵泡素(FSH)含量均显著高于对照组和其他试验组(P<0.05);试验I～Ⅲ组血清中雌二醇(E2)含量均显著高于对照组和试验Ⅳ组(P<0.05),其中试验I组血清E2含量最高;各组间血清中促黄体素(LH)含量无显著差异(P<0.05)。结果提示,在蛋鸡日粮中添加适宜水平的色氨酸,有助于提高机体酶系统的抗氧化能力和促进性腺激素的释放,提高蛋白质的利用率以提高蛋鸡生产性能。     

Effect of dietary fibre on the performance of laying hens

1. In tests to determine whether gizzard weight could be influenced by dietary fibre concentrations, caged layers were fed on diets containing 15, 30 or 60 g pine shavings/kg diet.

2. As dietary fibre content increased, gizzard weight increased, but there was no effect on body weight, hen‐day production, egg weight, efficiency of food conversion, mortality, percentage of liver ether extract or egg shell breaking strength. Percentage of body ether extract tended to be lower when pine shavings were fed.     

葛根粉对林地蛋鸡产蛋性能和脂代谢的影响

文章旨在评估药用原料对林地饲养蛋鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质和脂代谢相关指标的影响.试验将570只产蛋率接近的40周龄海兰褐壳蛋鸡随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复38只鸡.在林地饲养条件下,蛋鸡每天有1个小时开放活动时间(各重复均有特定划分的区域),试验8周内自由采食以玉米和豆粕为主的日粮,3组日粮分别添加0、50和100?...     

高温条件下大豆黄酮对产蛋前期种鸡产蛋性能和血清甲状腺激素水平的影响

选取 90只 1 55日龄岭南黄肉用种母鸡 ,随机分为 3组 ,每组 30只。其中对照组饲喂基础日粮 ,试验组Ⅰ喂基础日粮 +大豆黄酮 (Da)每千克饲料 3mg ,试验组Ⅱ喂基础日粮 +Da每千克饲料 6mg。预试期为 7d ,试验期 2 5d。各组混养 3只公鸡。采集试验处理前 1d ( 2 2℃ )、处理第 7天 ( 2 3℃ )、 1 1天 ( 30 5℃ )、 1 5天 ( 32 3℃ )的血样 ,测定甲状腺激素 (T3、T4 )水平。结果显示 :①与对照组相比 ,温度为 30 5℃ ,持续 2d ,试验组Ⅰ和Ⅱ的产蛋率分别提高 30 0 %和 4 4 3% ,蛋重分别提高 5 99% (P <0 0 5)和降低 2 89% ,受精率分别降低 2 0 4 %和提高3 85% ,破蛋率降低 ;当温度升至 31 5～ 33℃ ,持续 4d ,试验组Ⅰ和Ⅱ产蛋率、蛋重、受精率和破蛋率增加 ,但差异不显著。②处理第 1 1天 ,与对照组相比 ,试验组Ⅰ和Ⅱ的T3分别提高 2 5 6 %和 56 4 % ;处理第 1 5天 ,T3分别提高 75 8%和 6 3 6 %。③与对照组相比 ,处理第 1 1天 ,试验组Ⅰ和Ⅱ的T4 分别提高 32 2 %和降低 9 1 2 % ;处理第 1 5天 ,T4 分别降低 1 5 1 7%和提高 4 7 9% (P <0 0 5)。     

酵母培养物对蛋鸡生产性能及免疫性能的影响

为研究酵母培养物对蛋鸡生产性能及免疫性能的影响,本试验选用健康、体重相近的23周龄海兰褐蛋鸡120只,随机分成2个组,每组设3个重复,每个重复20只鸡。其中一组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;另外一组为试验组,饲喂基础日粮中添加0.3%酵母培养物日粮,其他条件均保持一致,试验期共6周。试验结果表明:(1)在基础日粮中添加0.3%的酵母培养物可极显著提高4 ~ 6周的蛋重(P < 0.01),试验组比对照组提高了2.33%;但对蛋鸡的平均日采食量、产蛋率和料蛋比无显著影响(P > 0.05)。(2)添加0.3%酵母培养物可极显著提高第3周末血清中IgG含量(P < 0.01),提高了21.74%;并且可极显著提高第6周末血清中IgM和IgG的含量(P < 0.01),分别提高了10.69%和16.15%;对IgA有提高的趋势,但是差异不显著(P > 0.05)。由此试验表明添加0.3%酵母培养物可有效提高鸡蛋蛋重,并且可以极显著提高蛋鸡的免疫性能。     

日粮添加柠檬酸对蛋鸡生产性能的影响

采用六处理三重复单因子试验研究0%、0.05%、0.15%、0.25%、0.35%和0.55%柠檬酸添加水平对蛋鸡生产性能的影响,并分析各柠檬酸添加水平对蛋鸡高温期间生产性能的影响。结果表明:0.05%~0.55%柠檬酸添加量显著降低整个试验期和试验高温期的软、破蛋率(P<0.05),对其它生产指标无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

Effect of dietary inclusion of ascorbic acid and palm oil on the performance of laying hens in a hot tropical environment

1. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of including ascorbic acid (AA), palm oil or a combination of both in the diets of laying hens during the hot months in a tropical environment.

2. The inclusion of AA improved egg production, food intake and efficiency of utilisation, and decreased the cost of food per kg egg. The addition of 400 mg AA/kg diet gave the most efficient performance.

3. Palm oil inclusion reduced the effect of heat stress and increased egg production, egg weight, food intake and efficiency of utilisation.

4. When 200 mg AA and 50 g palm oil/kg were used, additive responses were obtained with further improvements in egg production, food cost and efficiency.

5. Ascorbic acid and palm oil when fed alone or in combination reduced the incidence of cracked eggs.

6. Thus, 400 mg ascorbic acid/kg of diet, 50 g palm oil or 200 mg AA plus 50 g palm oil/kg diet ameliorated the effects of heat stress in laying hens.     

不同n-3/n-6多不饱和脂肪酸对产蛋鸡免疫功能的影响

选用 16 8只 30周龄海兰褐蛋鸡 ,研究不同 n- 3/ n- 6多不饱和脂肪酸 (PUFA)对产蛋鸡免疫功能的影响。 n- 3/ n- 6比值分别为 1∶ 1,1∶ 4 ,1∶ 8,1∶ 16 ,1∶ 32 ,维生素 E添加水平为 30 mg/ kg和 30 0 mg/ kg。在试验开始后的第 5周和第 7周给每个处理组中的 6只鸡注射牛血清白蛋白 (BSA) ,并分别于注射后第 10天翅静脉采血 ,测定 BSA抗体效价。测定第 5周及第 10周时外周全血淋巴细胞增殖速度和蛋黄 Ig Y水平。在第 9周给每个处理中 4只鸡注射脂多糖 (L PS) ,并于注射后 6 h,12 h,2 4 h后采血测定血浆中抗体 Ig G水平。试验结果表明 ,随着日粮中 n- 3/ n- 6比值的下降 ,BSA抗体效价显著下降 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,全血淋巴细胞增殖速度在第 5周时有上升的趋势 ,但差异不显著 ,而在第 10周时显著上升 (P<0 .0 5 )。蛋黄中抗体 Ig Y水平有随 n- 3/ n- 6比值下降而下降的趋势。注射 L PS后各时间点血浆 Ig G浓度随着 n- 3/ n- 6比值下降而下降。当日粮中 n- 3/ n- 6比值在 1∶ 1～ 1∶ 8之间时 ,产蛋鸡具有较好的免疫功能     

Effects of age on the tryptophan requirement of laying hens

1. White Leghorn pullets which had been used for an assay of tryptophan requirement between 32 and 40 weeks of age were used for similar determinations between 63 and 73 and, after a moult, from 97 to 106 weeks of age.

2. A tryptophan‐limiting protein mixture was used and by dilution seven dietary protein contents were produced, supplying from 0.84 to 1–92 g tryptophan/kg diet. The diet of lowest protein content was also sup‐lemented with free tryptophan. These diets were fed in experiments using 24 groups of 72 pullets at 63 to 73 weeks and 45 groups of 21 hens at 97 to 106 weeks.

3. The relationship between egg output and tryptophan intake was the same in moulted hens as in young pullets, but pullets of 63 to 73 weeks of age yielded a different response curve; more tryptophan being needed for a given egg output.

4. It is concluded that tryptophan required, per day, does not decrease during the first laying year, despite a decrease in rate of egg output.     

Effects of dietary crude protein and electrolyte balance on production parameters and blood biochemicals of laying hens under tropical summer condition

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different levels of crude protein (CP) and dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on productive performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens reared during hot summer months. The average minimum and maximum room temperatures recorded from 32 to 42 weeks of age were 27.2 and 36.5 °C, respectively, with relative humidity ranging from 48 to 56 %. A total of 144 Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens were assigned to each of four dietary treatments with six replicate cages of six birds. The treatments were as follows: CP 15.4 % + DEB 165 mEq/kg (group 1), CP 15.4 % + DEB 250 mEq/kg (group 2), CP 13.9 % + DEB 165 mEq/kg (group 3), and CP 13.9 % + DEB 250 mEq/kg (group 4). In groups 3 and 4, feed conversion ratio and blood uric acid were decreased (P?<?0.05); but the plasma triglyceride level was increased (P?<?0.05) compared to groups 1 and 2. Low-CP diet with DEB 250 (group 4) also induced significant increases of average egg production and eggshell thickness compared to group 1. Blood pH, Na⁺, and HCO₃ ^? values were also higher (P?<?0.05) in groups 2 and 4 than in the other groups. These results indicate that, under tropical conditions, using a DEB of 250 mEq/kg achieves a correction of the lay-induced metabolic acidosis and induces a positive effect on eggshell quality when the hens were fed low-protein diet.     

Effect of excess dietary sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus on excreta moisture of laying hens

1. Four experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium or phosphate on the water intake and excreta moisture of laying hens. A fifth experiment examined the effect on these variables of increasing amounts of 2 different sodium salts (chloride or bicarbonate) and the interactions with 2 levels of dietary phosphorus. 2. All experiments involved individually caged laying hens fed on diets varying in 1 or 2 minerals in replacement for washed sand. The experimental diets contained mineral concentrations that either met or exceeded the expected requirement of the hens. The diets were given for a 7 or 8 d feeding period and food and water intakes were measured and excreta were collected for the last 48 h of each feeding period. These data were corrected for evaporative water loss to the environment during the collection period. 3. Increasing dietary concentrations of sodium, potassium or phosphorus gave linear increases (P<0.001) in the water intake of the laying hens and linear increases (P<0.01) in the moisture content of their excreta. Each 1 g/kg increase in dietary mineral increased the moisture content of the excreta by 9.04 (+/- 1.57), 11.95 (+/- 2.02) and 5.59 (+/- 0.31) g/kg (+/- standard error) for sodium, potassium and phosphorus, respectively. Increasing concentrations of dietary calcium did not significantly affect the water intakes or excreta moisture levels of the laying hens. 4. The fifth experiment showed that, although there was a sodium x phosphorus interaction (P<0.05), the effects of the 2 mineral additions were approximately additive. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in water intakes or excreta moisture contents due to the 2 different sodium salts (chloride or bicarbonate).     

Influence of varying dietary electrolyte balance on broiler performance under tropical summer conditions

A 6‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of varying dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on growth performance and physiological responses in broiler chicks reared during hot summer months (26.1–37.5 °C). The average minimum and maximum room temperatures recorded from 14 to 42 days of age were 26.1 and 37.5 °C, respectively, with relative humidity ranging from 51% to 55%. Five DEB treatments supplying 0, 50, 150, 250 and 350 (Na⁺+K⁺–Cl^?) mEq/kg of diet were prepared by adding NaHCO₃ and/or NH₄Cl to basal diet that contained 185 mEq/kg from 1 to 28 days and 172 mEq/kg from 29 to 42 days. These DEB diets were randomly offered to six experimental units of 20 chicks each. Improved 42‐day body weight gain (BWG), feed:gain (F:G) and reduced mortality was noted with DEB 50, 150 and 250 mEq/kg compared to DEB 0 and 350 mEq/kg. A quadratic effect of increasing DEB level was observed on BWG and F:G, whereas the effect was linear for feed intake, water intake and litter moisture. The DEB 50, 150 and 250 maintained better blood pH, pCO₂ and HCO₃ concentrations during acute heat stress periods than that of 0 and 350. The blood heterophil and lymphocyte percent as well as heterophil:lymphocyte were remained unaffected. The lowest DEB (0 mEq/kg) diet reduced the feed intake and promoted metabolic acidosis. At 350 mEq/kg DEB, water intake and metabolic alkalosis were promoted probably due to high levels of dietary NaHCO₃. The study concluded that overall better performance was recorded with DEB 50, 150 and 250 mEq/kg. These results indicated that single optimal DEB value could not be recommended to combat heat stress in broilers.     

Effect of excess dietary L-valine on laying hen performance,egg quality,serum free amino acids,immune function and antioxidant enzyme activity

1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of laying hens for an excessive L-valine (L-val) supply on laying performance, egg quality, serum free amino acids, immune function and antioxidant enzyme activities of laying hens.

2. A total of 720 HyLine Brown hens were allocated to 5 dietary treatment groups, each of which included 6 replicates of 24 hens, from 40 to 47 weeks of age. Graded amounts of L-val were added to the basal diet to achieve concentrations of 0 (control), 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/kg, respectively, in the experimental diets.

3. Supplementing the diet with L-val did not affect egg production, egg mass, egg weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR) or egg quality. The average daily feed intake response to supplemental L-val was quadratic and was maximised at 2.0 g L-val/kg diet. No differences were observed for total protein, total amino acids, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), Ca and P concentrations among the treatments.

4. Serum albumin concentration increased significantly in response to supplemental L-val and was also maximised at 2.0 g/kg. In addition, serum glucose increased quadratically to peak at 2.0 g L-val/kg diet. Serum free valine increased as L-val concentration increased to 2.0 g/kg diet and then decreased linearly.

5. Supplementation of L-val did not affect the serum concentrations of total antioxidative capability (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). L-val supplementation did not affect the concentrations of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM and complements (C3 and C4). Serum concentration of triiodothyronine (T3) increased significantly at 2.0 g L-val/kg diet.

6. It is concluded that high concentrations of L-val are tolerated and can be successfully supplemented into diets without detrimental effects on laying performance or immune function of laying hens.

     

Effects of dietary phosphorous supplementation on laying performance,egg quality,bone health and immune responses of laying hens challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide

Background: Phosphorus is an essential nutrient to maintain poultry health and performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary phosphorus levels on egg production, egg quality, bone health, immune responses of laying hens challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.Methods: Three hundred laying hens at 28 wk were randomly divided into 2 dietary treatments with 10 replicates of 15 birds. The wheat-soybean based diets contained either 0.12% or 0.4% non-phytate phosphorus(NPP). At 32 wk of age, all the birds of each dietary treatment were injected into the abdomen with 1.5 mg/kg body weight(BW) of either LPS or saline once a day at 24-h intervals for continuous 9 d. The performance of laying hens was evaluated for 9 d. The eggs after the fifth injection were collected to value the egg quality. Three hours after the first injection, blood was collected to measure serum metabolite and immune response associated parameters.Three hours after the fifth injection, the hens were euthanized to obtain tibia, cecal tonsils and jejunum.Results: Compared with saline-injected hens, LPS-injected hens had lower feed intake and egg production(P 0.05).Eggshell thickness, strength, albumin height and Haugh unit were significantly increased in LPS-injected hens compared with saline-injected hens(P 0.05). Furthermore, laying hens challenged with LPS had lower villious height/crypt depth ration than those received saline. Serum calcium, phosphorus and SOD activities significantly decreased in the LPS-injected hens compared with the control(P 0.05). LPS up-regulated expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in cecum, and serum concentration of MDA, IL-1β and IL-6(P 0.05), whereas 0.40% dietary non-phytate phosphorus supplementation significantly increased(P 0.05) villi height/crypt depth ratio, decreased(P 0.05) serum MDA and IFN-γ concentration compared with the 0.12% non-phytate phosphorus group.Conclusion: In summary, this study demonstrates that 0.40% dietary non-phytate phosphorus supplementation significantly increased calcium and phosphorus levels of eggshell, increased villi height/crypt depth ratio, decreased serum MDA and IFN-γ concentration compared with the 0.12% non-phytate phosphorus groups. The results indicate that high level of dietary non-phytate phosphorus exerts a potential effect in alleviating systemic inflammation of LPSchallenged laying hens.     

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.     

Effects of high concentrations of dietary vitamin E and ethoxyquin on the performance of laying hens

1. Three experiments were carried out with light strain laying hens to evaluate the effects of relatively high doses of dietary vitamin E (125 mg/kg food) or ethoxyquin (EQ) (250 mg/kg food) on their laying performance. The control diet contained 5 and 125 mg/kg vitamin E and EQ, respectively. The experimental diets were fed either from one or 32 weeks until 88 or 89 weeks of age. 2. The two antioxidants did not affect the growth of the pullets, age at first egg, final body weight, average egg weight or relative abdominal fat pad size and liver weight at the termination of the experiments. In two out of three experiments, vitamin E and EQ did not affect egg production, food efficiency or mortality; in the third experiment vitamin E significantly (P less than 0.05) improved egg production and food efficiency after an outbreak of Newcastle disease which occurred at 34 weeks of age. EQ significantly reduced mortality during the course of this experiment, but did affect the variables of performance. In two experiments vitamin E consistently improved shell density, although a significant effect was observed in only one of the eight determinations carried out. EQ did not affect this variable. 3. The uterine muscle was more susceptible to oxidation than the drumstick meat, as evaluated by TBA values. In both tissues, vitamin E significantly and consistently decreased TBA values and restricted their increase during incubation, while EQ was less effective, particularly in the drumstick meat. 4. It is concluded that increasing vitamin E and EQ concentrations in diets of laying hens have no effect on the decrease in egg production due to aging. However, vitamin E may minimize the decline in egg production and food efficiency following the outbreaks of some diseases and slightly improve--under certain yet undefined conditions--shell density.     

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。