生物保健型蛋白饲料在蛋鸡生产中的应用试验

选择320日龄海兰褐蛋鸡234只,共分A(对照组)、B(试验组)、C(试验组)3个处理组,采用生物保健型蛋白饲料(SBD)代替蛋鸡日粮中的部分豆饼,通过56d的饲喂试验。测定蛋鸡的平均日产蛋量、蛋重、破软蛋量、死淘率及蛋品质。试验结果表明:用3%生物保健型蛋白饲料代替日粮中3%的豆饼时,平均蛋重、产蛋率、破软蛋率、采食量都与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05)。用5%生物保健型蛋白饲料取代饲粮中5%的豆饼时,平均蛋重、破软蛋率、与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05),但产蛋率、采食量与对照组相比均有下降(P>0.01)。在蛋的品质方面未产生不良影响,只是C组的蛋黄颜色比A、B组偏黄,铜(Cu)的含量偏高。由此可见采用生物保健型蛋白饲料代替蛋鸡日粮中3%的豆饼,效果最佳。     

生物保健型蛋白饲料对蛋品质影响的试验研究

选择320日龄海兰褐蛋鸡234只,共分A (对照组)、B、C 3个处理组,采用生物保健型蛋白饲料(SBD)代替蛋鸡日粮中的部分豆饼,通过56 d的饲喂试验.结果表明用3%生物保健型蛋白饲料代替日粮中3%的豆饼时,平均蛋重、产蛋率、破软蛋率、采食量都与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05);用5%生物保健型蛋白饲料取代饲粮中5%的豆饼时,平均蛋重、破软蛋率、与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05),但产蛋率、采食量与对照组相比均有下降(P>0.01),在蛋的品质方面未产生不良影响,只是C组的蛋黄颜色比A、B组偏黄,铜(Cu)的含量偏高.由此可见采用生物保健型蛋白饲料代替蛋鸡日粮中3%的豆饼,效果最佳.     

虫草多糖对蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能、蛋品质和肠道形态结构的影响

本试验旨在研究虫草多糖对产蛋后期蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和肠道形态结构的影响。试验选取70周龄产蛋率相近的海兰褐蛋鸡270只,随机分为3个组,每组6个重复,每个重复15只鸡。试验设对照组(饲喂基础饲粮)、试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组(分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0.01%和0.02%虫草多糖的饲粮)。预试期7 d,正试期45 d。以重复为单位每天记录蛋鸡产蛋数、破软蛋数和蛋重,每周记录其采食量,计算产蛋率、破软蛋率、平均日产蛋重、平均日采食量和料蛋比;试验结束后,蛋鸡禁食12 h,取其十二指肠、空肠和回肠,测定肠道绒毛高度、隐窝深度、肠壁厚度和绒毛高度/隐窝深度。结果表明:与对照组相比,试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的蛋鸡产蛋后期的产蛋率以及其空肠、回肠的绒毛高度和十二指肠肠壁厚度显著提高(P<0.05),料蛋比显著降低(P<0.05);试验Ⅱ组蛋鸡的平均日产蛋重显著提高(P<0.05),但饲粮中添加不同剂量的虫草多糖对蛋鸡产蛋后期的破软蛋率和蛋品质均无显著影响(P>0.05)。综上所述,蛋鸡产蛋后期饲粮中添加0.01%和0.02%的虫草多糖可提高其生产性能,改善肠道形态结构。     

化十香味素对蛋鸡生产性能的影响

<正> 目前人们主要利用棉籽、菜籽等油料的饼粕来代替鱼粉、大豆等优质蛋白饲料。这些营养价值相对偏低的蛋白饲料虽然能代替一部分优质蛋白饲料,但因其气味或口感不良常常影响动物对饲料的采食量,本试验是在蛋鸡日粮中添加化十香味素,试验该香味素以玉米、棉仁饼为基础日粮时对蛋鸡采食量、产蛋率和蛋重的影响。 1.材料与方法试验于1993年6～7月进行,试期25天。蛋鸡品种为海赛克斯,日龄为195天,初始平均产蛋率为60％,114只蛋鸡平均分为两组,     

两种蛋鸡高峰料的应用效果试验

本试验选用40周龄伊莎褐蛋鸡1350只,随机分成2组,A组为对照组、B组为试验组,各675只鸡。通过2种蛋鸡高峰料(杂粕型蛋鸡高峰料、豆粕型蛋鸡高峰料)进行蛋鸡产蛋性能的比较。结果表明,杂粕型比豆粕型蛋鸡日粮使蛋鸡的产蛋率提高2.4%(P<0.05)。平均蛋重、采食量、料蛋比差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

双低菜籽粕和专用预混料对蛋鸡生产性能的影响

选取288羽健康的136日龄伊莎褐青年蛋鸡,随机分为3组,每组96羽,设3个重复,每重复32羽。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础日粮,试验1组在对照组日粮中以13%双低菜籽粕代替50%的豆粕,试验2组在试验1组基础上添加双低菜籽粕专用预混料,各组间营养水平基本一致。试验结果表明,各组采食量、产蛋率、产蛋量、产蛋重和饲料报酬均无明显差异(P>0.05),以双低菜籽粕替代豆粕并添加专用预混料后产蛋率有提高的趋势(分别比对照组和试验1组高0.97和2.01个百分点);试验组蛋壳重、蛋壳厚度和蛋哈夫单位均与对照组无差异显著(P>0.05);生鸡蛋及煮熟后均无特殊气味。试验表明:产蛋鸡日粮中以13%双低菜籽粕代替50%的豆粕并添加专用预混料有改善蛋鸡产蛋性能的作用,经济效益提高,而对鸡蛋品质无明显影响。     

换羽期日粮维生素水平对蛋鸡强制换羽效果的影响

432只产蛋率为49.5%的60周龄的海兰褐商品蛋鸡随机分为3个组。开食时,A组(对照组)给予低维生素日粮(VA 3000IU/kg,VE10IU/kg,VD 300IU/kg,VC 20mg/kg,VK4mg/kg,多维20mg/kg);B组给予中等维生素日粮(5倍对照);C组给予高维生素日粮(10倍对照)。结果表明,与A组相比,B组、C组达50%产蛋率的试验天数显著(p<0.05)减少;换羽期产蛋率、产蛋量极显著(p<0.01)提高,料蛋比、死亡率和破软蛋率极显著(p<0.01)降低;C组换羽后破软蛋率、换羽后死亡率分别显著(p<0.05)和极显著(p<0.01)降低,且换羽后效益最好,比对照组提高18.13%。     

黄芪多糖对蛋鸡产蛋性能的影响

将450只海兰褐蛋鸡随机分成3组(对照组、0.1%添加剂量组、0.2%添加剂量组),对照组饲喂基础日粮,0.1%添加剂量组在基础日粮中添加0.1%黄芪多糖,0.2%添加剂量组在基础日粮中添加0.2%黄芪多糖,比较分析日均采食量、料蛋比、平均蛋重、产蛋率、不合格蛋率等检测指标,以期研究黄芪多糖对蛋鸡产蛋性能的影响。试验结果显示:0.1%添加剂量组与对照组相比,日均采食量提高1.12%,产蛋率提高了1.77个百分点,不合格蛋率降低了0.92个百分点。0.2%添加剂量组与对照组相比,日均采食量提高了2.11%,料蛋比降低了2.42%,产蛋率提高了4.03个百分点,不合格蛋率降低了1.44个百分点。0.2%添加剂量组与0.1%添加剂量组相比,产蛋率提高了2.23个百分点,不合格蛋率降低了0.52个百分点。表明黄芪多糖添加在蛋鸡基础日粮中能够显著提高蛋鸡的产蛋性能,且黄芪多糖添加剂量越大作用效果越明显,建议以0.2%作为临床添加剂量。     

日粮中添加紫花苜蓿对蛋鸡产蛋性能的影响

为观察紫花苜蓿对蛋鸡产蛋性能的影响,选择320羽健康的35周龄商品蛋鸡,随机分为A、B、C、D四组,每组80羽,分别在日粮中添加0、3%、5%、7%的紫花苜蓿草粉,饲养60 d,观察紫花苜蓿草粉对产蛋鸡产蛋性能的影响。结果显示,添加不同含量的紫花苜蓿草粉对蛋鸡产蛋率、采食量、蛋重的影响差异不显著(P>0.05),C组所用日粮添加5%紫花苜蓿草粉后蛋鸡的料蛋比明显优于其余三组蛋鸡的(P<0.05)。因此,在海兰褐壳蛋鸡的日粮中添加5%紫花苜蓿草粉能够在一定程度上改善蛋鸡的料蛋比,对促进养殖户经济效益具有积极的意义,可推广使用。     

在玉米-杂粕日粮中添加复合酶对商品蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响

将600只42周龄罗曼蛋鸡随机分为5组,每组5个重复,每个重复24只鸡。A组为玉米-豆粕日粮对照组,B、C组分别为用杂粕不同程度替代豆粕组成玉米-杂粕日粮试验组,D、E组分别为在B、C组基础上的加杂粕复合酶试验组,正式试验期为56d。试验结果表明,①在蛋鸡杂粕日粮中添加复合酶,在产蛋率上,处理E、处理B均显著高于处理C(P<0.05),但处理E、A、B、D各组间没有显著性差异(P>0.05);在平均日采食量、平均蛋重、料蛋比、破蛋率、软蛋率、脏蛋率的指标上,各处理组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。②在蛋鸡杂粕日粮中添加复合酶,在蛋形指数、蛋黄比例、蛋黄颜色、蛋壳比例、哈夫单位指标上,各处理组间差异不显著(P>0.05);在蛋黄指数上,处理A和处理E组差异显著(P<0.05);在蛋壳厚度上,处理A组极显著高于处理C组(P<0.01),处理E显著低于处理A(P<0.05)。     

不同饲粮粗蛋白质水平下蝇蛆蛋白替代豆粕对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋清品质及血清蛋白质代谢指标的影响

本试验旨在研究不同饲粮粗蛋白质水平下蝇蛆蛋白替代豆粕对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋清品质及血清蛋白质代谢指标的影响。采用单因素试验设计,选取252只产蛋率、体重相近的健康33周龄罗曼白蛋鸡,随机分为3组,每组7个重复,每个重复12只鸡。各组分别饲喂标准回肠可消化氨基酸(SIDAA)平衡模式下配制的不同粗蛋白质水平(16.50%、14.85%、13.20%)的玉米-豆粕-蝇蛆蛋白饲粮,各组蝇蛆蛋白与豆粕提供等量的粗蛋白质。预试期2周,正试期12周。结果表明:1)与16.50%组相比,14.85%组的产蛋率、平均蛋重、产蛋量、平均日采食量和料蛋比均无显著差异(P>0.05);13.20%组的料蛋比显著增加(P<0.05),产蛋率、产蛋量、平均蛋重和平均日采食量均显著降低(P<0.05)。2)与16.50%组相比,14.85%组的平均蛋重、蛋清重、浓蛋白重、蛋白高度、哈氏单位和蛋清比例均无显著差异(P>0.05);13.20%组的平均蛋重、蛋清重、浓蛋白重和蛋白高度显著降低(P<0.05),而蛋清比例、哈氏单位无显著差异(P>0.05)。3)各组血清谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性及总蛋白、白蛋白、尿酸含量无显著差异(P>0.05),且输卵管膨大部组织学形态正常。由此可见,在本试验条件下,使用蝇蛆蛋白替代豆粕并使饲粮粗蛋白质水平降低至14.85%时未对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋清品质产生不良影响,但饲粮粗蛋白质水平降低至13.20%时则会产生不利影响。     

不同饲粮粗蛋白质水平下黑水虻蛋白替代豆粕对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋清品质及血清蛋白质代谢指标的影响

本试验旨在探讨不同饲粮粗蛋白质水平下黑水虻蛋白替代豆粕对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋清品质及血清蛋白质代谢指标的影响。采用单因素随机试验设计,选用252只产蛋率相近的33周龄罗曼白蛋鸡,随机分为3组,每组7个重复,每重复12只鸡。各组分别饲喂标准回肠可消化氨基酸(SIDAA)平衡模式下配制的不同粗蛋白质水平(16.50%、14.85%、13.20%)的玉米-豆粕-黑水虻蛋白饲粮,各组黑水虻蛋白与豆粕提供等量的粗蛋白质。预试期2周,正试期12周。结果表明:1)与16.50%组相比,14.85组%和13.20%组的产蛋率和平均日采食量无显著影响(P>0.05),平均蛋重显著降低(P<0.05),料蛋比显著升高(P<0.05);13.20%组的产蛋量显著降低(P<0.05),14.85%组的产蛋量无显著差异(P>0.05)。2)与16.50%组相比,14.85%组的平均蛋重、蛋清重、浓蛋白重、蛋白高度、哈氏单位和蛋清比例均无显著差异(P>0.05);13.20%组的平均蛋重、浓蛋白重、蛋白高度显著降低(P<0.05),蛋清重和哈氏单位呈下降趋势(P=0.0513和P=0.0673)。3)各组血清谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性及总蛋白、白蛋白、尿酸含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。16.50%和13.20%饲粮粗蛋白质水平对蛋鸡输卵管膨大部分泌功能有轻微不良影响。由此可见,在SIDAA模式下,以黑水虻蛋白替代豆粕并使饲粮粗蛋白质水平降低至14.85%时对鸡蛋蛋清品质无不良影响。     

循环高温对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋壳品质及钙磷代谢的影响

本试验旨在模拟夏季蛋鸡舍内的循环高温,研究不同温度对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋壳品质及钙磷代谢的影响。选取28周龄高产海兰褐蛋鸡288只,随机分为21℃适温组(自由采食)、27~30℃循环高温组(自由采食)、29~35℃循环高温组(自由采食)和21℃采食配对组(按前1 d 29~35℃循环高温组的采食量饲喂),每个组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡,分别饲养于4个人工环境控制舱内,试验期4周。结果表明:与21℃适温组相比,27~30℃循环高温组蛋鸡平均日采食量、体增重和平均蛋重显著降低(P0.05),蛋壳强度显著降低(P0.05),蛋鸡钙、磷的代谢率差异不显著(P0.05),但钙、磷的吸收量显著降低(P0.05),除蛋黄颜色显著降低(P0.05)外,鸡蛋品质其他相关指标差异不显著(P0.05);而29~35℃循环高温组除平均日采食量、体增重和平均蛋重显著降低(P0.05)外,产蛋率同样显著降低(P0.05),蛋壳厚度和蛋壳强度均显著降低(P0.05),破蛋率显著升高(P0.05),蛋鸡钙、磷的代谢率差异不显著(P0.05),而钙、磷吸收量同样显著降低(P0.05),鸡蛋蛋白高度和蛋黄颜色均显著降低(P0.05)。与21℃采食配对组相比,29~35℃循环高温组平均蛋重显著降低(P0.05),料蛋比显著提高(P0.05),蛋壳强度显著降低(P0.05),钙、磷的代谢率和吸收量差异不显著(P0.05),鸡蛋品质差异不显著(P0.05)。结果提示,夏季鸡舍内温度在27~30℃波动即可显著降低蛋鸡的体增重、平均蛋重和蛋壳品质;而29~35℃不仅显著降低蛋鸡的体增重、产蛋率、平均蛋重以及蛋壳品质,还显著影响鸡蛋的蛋白高度和蛋黄颜色。高温对蛋鸡产蛋性能及蛋白高度和蛋黄颜色的影响可能与降低采食量有关;高温可能直接影响蛋壳的形成,也可能由于降低钙、磷吸收量影响蛋壳品质。     

饲粮缬氨酸水平对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质及血清生化指标的影响

本文旨在研究饲粮不同缬氨酸水平对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质及血清生化指标的影响,并探讨蛋鸡饲粮中缬氨酸的最适添加量.试验选用720只体重相近的40周龄的海兰褐壳蛋鸡,随机分成5组,每组4个重复,每个重复36只鸡,分别饲喂缬氨酸水平为0.6％、0.7％、0.8％、0.9％、1.0％的饲粮,试验期为56 d.结果表明:1)0.8％水平组料蛋比和1.0％水平组平均日采食量分别最低,与其他各组均差异显著(P＜0.05);各组产蛋率、平均蛋重和日产蛋均重均无显著差异(P＞0.05).2)0.8％水平组蛋壳强度最大,1.0％水平组蛋清蛋白质含量最低,与其他各组均差异显著(P＜0.05)或有显著的趋势(P＜0.10);各组蛋壳厚度、哈夫单位、蛋黄颜色、蛋白高度、蛋黄和蛋清相对重均无显著差异(P＞0.05).3)0.8％水平组血清葡萄糖含量最高,显著高于其他各组(P＜0.05);0.8％水平组血清尿素氮和尿酸含量最低,总氨基酸含量最高,与其他各组均有差异显著的趋势(P＜0.10).4)二次曲线分析表明:当饲粮代谢能为11.31 MJ/kg、粗蛋白质水平为15.81％、赖氨酸水平为0.77％时,以料蛋比为评价指标,产蛋高峰期蛋鸡缬氨酸需要量为0.78％,以蛋壳强度和血清白蛋白含量为评价指标,缬氨酸需要量分别为0.81％和0.75％.由此可知,基础饲粮中添加一定量的缬氨酸可降低产蛋高峰期蛋鸡料蛋比,增强蛋壳强度和提高血清葡萄糖含量.     

Effect of natural zeolite on yolk: Albumen ratio in hen eggs

1. The egg yolk: albumen (Y:A) ratio during the laying year was investigated in a commercial strain (Hisex) when natural zeolite was added to a layer's diet. 2. Dietary natural zeolite (NZ) increased both egg weight and albumen weight, while yolk weight was not significantly affected. 3. The Y:A ratio was less (more albumen) in eggs laid by hens on zeolite treatments. It was concluded that by feeding NZ it is possible to alter the Y:A ratio.     

理想氨基酸模式下低粗蛋白质饲粮对蛋鸡生产性能的影响

本试验旨在研究以理想氨基酸(AA)模式配制的低粗蛋白质(CP)饲粮对21～32周龄蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质、全血氨浓度和血浆尿酸浓度及粪氮含量的影响.试验选用540只体重相近的健康海兰灰蛋鸡,随机分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复18只鸡,分别饲喂等能量( 11.00 MJ/kg)的5种CP水平(17.00％、16.50％、16.00％、15.50％和15.00％)的饲粮,试验期12周.结果表明:在理想AA模式下降低饲粮CP水平,蛋鸡产蛋率显著提高(P＜0.05),平均蛋重有降低的趋势(P=0.06),但对平均日采食量、日产蛋重和蛋料比无显著影响(P＞0.05);降低饲粮CP水平极显著影响了蛋白高度和哈氏单位(_P＜0.01),显著影响了蛋黄颜色(P＜0.05),未显著影响蛋壳厚度和蛋壳强度(P＞0.05);饲粮CP水平对各鸡蛋成分均无显著影响(P＞0.05),但鸡蛋蛋白含量随饲粮CP水平的降低有降低的趋势(P=0.09);饲粮CP水平对血浆尿酸浓度及全血氨浓度均无显著影响(P＞0.05);降低饲粮CP水平极显著降低了蛋鸡粪氮含量(P＜0.01).由此可见,在理想AA模式下,适当降低饲粮CP水平可提高蛋鸡产蛋率,改善鸡蛋品质,降低粪氮含量.     

Effect of daily feed intake in laying period on laying performance, egg quality and egg composition of genetically fat and lean lines of chickens

1. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of feed intake on laying performance, egg quality and egg composition in a Fat line and a Lean line during the laying period (34 to 54 weeks of age). 2. The experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial design with two dietary intake levels (nutrition recommendation and 75% of recommendation) and two broiler genotypes (Fat line and Lean line). Hens (384 of each line) were randomly divided at 23 weeks of age into 4 treatments, with each treatment represented by 12 replicates of 16 birds each. The experiment started when the rate of lay reached 5% and continued until 54 weeks of age. 3. The results indicated that there was a significant interaction between daily feed intake and genotype on egg production, egg weight, percentage yolk, yolk/albumen ratio and yolk cholesterol content. Fat line hens produced significantly more eggs and had a lower incidence of cracked eggs than the Lean line hens. The reduction in feed intake decreased egg weight and increased egg production, egg-shape index and cholesterol content of yolk significantly.     

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.     

The nutritional effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moringa oleifera</Emphasis> fresh leaves as feed supplement on Rhode Island Red hen egg production and quality

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Moringa oleifera fresh leaves (MOL) as feed supplement on the performance and egg quality of Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens under the tropical conditions of Yucatan, Mexico. Forty-eight RIR hens were allocated in 12 floor pen replicates each with four birds. Thereafter, the replicates were divided into three groups which were corresponded to ad libitum feed (control), ad libitum feed supplemented with MOL T1 (AL + MOL) and restricted feed amount (20% lower than control) with MOL T2 (RCD + MOL), respectively. T1 (AL + MOL) had higher egg laying rate (71.4% versus 66.6%), higher daily egg mass production (45.4 versus 41.9 g/day), lower feed intake (121.3 versus 127.5 g/day) and better feed conversion ratio (2.8 versus 3.2 g feed:g egg) versus control. T2 / (RCD + MOL) had lower values of body weight, egg laying rate, egg weight and egg mass, and recorded better feed conversion ratio than the control group. The control group recorded a higher percentage of pecked eggs versus T1 and T2 (6.5% versus 1.2% and 2.0 %). Similar intake of MOL (3.1 and 3.4 g DM/day) was recorded in T1 (AL + MOL) and T2 (RCD + MOL). Yolk color was improved significantly in T1 (AL + MOL) than both control and T2 (RCD + MOL), while T2 (RCD + MOL) had eggs with lower yolk and higher albumen percentages than the other two ad libitum groups. The results suggest that MOL could be used successfully as sustainable tropical feed resource for RIR hens.     

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.