A pecking device as an environmental enrichment for caged laying hens

To improve the welfare of caged laying hens, a pecking device made of stones was introduced on the cage floor. Twenty‐four White Leghorn hens aged 15 months were divided into four groups: single‐housed hens with device, single‐housed control hens, pair‐housed hens with device and pair‐housed control hens. Hens housed with the device pecked at various pecking objects less often than control hens. Agonistic behavior was also lower in hens with the device than in hens without the device, implied a possibility of improvement in quality of pecking stimuli with the device. Not only time spent pecking, but also quality of pecking might be important to fill their need for stimulation. Both single‐ and pair‐housed hens more often pecked at the device in the evening. Response to various pecking objects also showed that pecking behaviors were most frequently expressed in the evening. Increased foraging at dusk is a well‐known habit; therefore, the increase in pecking behavior in the evening might reflect the hens' general circadian rhythm. These results indicate that the device made of stones could promote some instinctive behavior. Enhancement of behavioral repertories and reduced agonistic behavior with the pecking device might improve the welfare of caged laying hens.     

Comparison of behavior, physical condition and performance of laying hens in four molting methods

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the welfare level of hens in four molting methods by comparing their behavior, physical condition and performance. In total, 96 White Leghorn layers (72 weeks of age) were used. The four molting methods consisted of 10 days of feeding and the first 3 days of water withdrawal WFW); 10 day feed withdrawal (WF) followed by ad libitum access to a layer diet from day 11, 28 days of restricted feeding (RF) and 28 days without withdrawing their feed (NW). The RF and NW hens were fed a low energy diet. The WFW and WF hens showed two clear phases of behavior during the 10‐day fasting period. Explorative and stereotyped behavior increased for WFW and WF hens just after their fast. Standing‐resting then increased for WFW and WF hens while lying‐resting decreased. In contrast, RF and NW hens did not show clear behavioral changes during the 28‐day molt period. The weight loss of the NW hens was more gradual compared with the other three methods. No significant differences were seen in any productive trait among the four methods during the postmolt period. In conclusion, the welfare level of RF and NW, especially NW, was higher compared with WFW and WF.     

Development of furnished cages re‐using conventional cages for laying hens: Behaviour,physical condition and productivity

Furnished cages for laying hens have advantages in allowing normal behaviors and maintaining productivity. As the cost of introduction is a barrier for farms, we developed furnished cages that re‐use conventional cages. To determine the minimum and functional cage design, we compared six designs, combinations of two floor designs (artificial turf or wire cage floor) and three screening designs in the integrated area (no screening, one entrance side or four sides). In total, 144 hens were used, and we measured behavior, physical condition and productivity. Comparing the floors, the percentages of hens performing dust‐bathing and laying eggs in the integrated area were higher in cages with turf than wire floor (P < 0.05 for both). Comparing the screening, dust‐bathing, litter‐exploring and active behavior tended to be more frequent in cages with the integrated area screened on one side than four sides. Feather damage was lower in cages with the integrated area screened on one side than with no screening (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the cage design with an integrated area with artificial turf floor, screened on one side, was effective for furnished cages that re‐use conventional cages.     

Persistent effect of broody hens on behaviour of chickens

We reported previously that behavioral development of chicks was promoted remarkably by the presence of a broody hen. Here we report that these effects at an early age persist after maturity. A total of 60 female chicks were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: six pens with five chicks (brooded group) each were reared by a broody hen and six pens with five chicks (non‐brooded group) each were provided with an infrared heating lamp. We evaluated the persistent effects of broody hens by measures of behavior, physical condition and production at 9, 16, 35 and 55 weeks of age. The numbers of threatening, aggressive pecking, fighting and severe feather pecking behaviors were higher in non‐brooded than in brooded chickens (all P < 0.05). Egg production was lower in brooded than in non‐brooded chickens (P < 0.05), while the number of brooding chickens was higher in the brooded than in the non‐brooded group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the presence of broody hens at an early stage of chicks' lives has a persistent effect on behavior. Although brooded chickens showed more brooding and lower egg production than non‐brooded chickens, feather pecking and aggressive interaction were decreased in brooded hens.     

不同硒源对蛋鸡生产性能和硒沉积的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加不同硒源及不同水平对蛋鸡生产性能和鸡蛋中硒沉积量的影响。试验选择产蛋率一致的海兰褐壳蛋鸡720只,随机分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复24只鸡。试验共设计5种日粮,对照组饲喂基础日粮(不添加硒),处理组分别在基础日粮中添加2个水平的无机硒(0.4和0.8mg/kg硒,亚硒酸钠)以及2个水平的酵母硒(0.4和0.8mg/kg硒),试验共进行16周。结果发现,无论日粮添加酵母硒还是无机硒,随着硒添加水平的升高,蛋鸡生产性能均无显著影响(P>0.05)。从第9周到试验结束,0.4mg/kg无机硒和0.8mg/kg酵母硒组较对照组和0.8mg/kg无机硒组显著提高了蛋鸡的产蛋率(P<0.05)。试验第9周开始,对照组、0.8mg/kg无机硒组和0.4mg/kg酵母硒组产蛋率显著降低(P<0.05)。随着日粮无机硒或酵母硒添加水平的升高,鸡蛋中硒的沉积量显著线性增加(P<0.05)。从第4周开始到试验结束,无机硒或酵母硒组较对照组均显著提高了鸡蛋中硒含量(P<0.05)。在同一硒添加水平及同一时间下,酵母硒较无机硒显著提高了鸡蛋硒含量(P<0.05),随着试验时间的增加,对照组鸡蛋硒含量显著降低(P<0.05)。因此,在本试验条件下,日粮硒的来源和添加水平直接影响鸡蛋硒沉积量,酵母硒较无机硒显著提高了鸡蛋硒沉积量。日粮中酵母硒的添加量可以达到0.8mg/kg,对蛋鸡生产性能无负面影响。     

耐镉乳酸菌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响

为研究日粮中分别或同时添加镉和具有耐镉特性的约氏乳酸杆菌对如草蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响,试验分为5组:对照组、镉组(Cd 5 mg/kg)、低剂量乳酸菌组(Lac 1×10¹⁰cfu/kg)、镉加低剂量乳酸菌组(Cd 5 mg/kg+Lac1×10¹⁰cfu/kg)、镉加高剂量乳酸菌组(Cd 5 mg/kg+Lac 1×10¹¹ cfu/kg)。试验期6周,全程统计分析蛋鸡日采食量、产蛋量、产蛋率和料蛋比。在试验的3周末和6周末各组连续收集三天的鸡蛋,测定蛋品质。结果显示:镉加低剂量乳酸菌组的产蛋量、产蛋率较对照组和镉组分别提高38%、16.22%和5.3%、2.44%,料蛋比降低1.09和0.17。6周时镉加低剂量乳酸菌组的蛋重为48.8 g,较低剂量乳酸菌组提高7.3%(P <0.05);而其蛋白高度较对照组和镉组分别提高24.4%和18.6%(P <0.05)。蛋黄色泽在3周时,各试验组比对照组低1～3级(P <0.01),而在6周时,各试验组比对照组高2～3级(P <0.01)。6周时镉组和镉加高剂量乳酸菌组的蛋黄质量均较低剂量乳酸菌组提高7.9%(P <0.05),而其蛋黄蛋白比均较对照组高12.3%(P <0.01),较低剂量乳酸菌组和镉加低剂量乳酸菌组提高8.5%和6.7%(P <0.05)。蛋壳厚度在3周时,试验组较对照组低0.01～0.02 mm(P <0.01)。蛋壳颜色L在3周和6周时,镉组较对照组值分别降低了4.9%和7.4%(P <0.05);蛋壳颜色a在3周和6周时,镉组较对照组分别提高63.3%和66.7%(P <0.01),在6周时镉组较低剂量乳酸菌组和镉加低剂量乳酸菌组分别提高26.8%和28.6%(P <0.05);蛋壳颜色b在3周时,试验组较对照组分别提高36.5%、25.3%、27.0%和26.4%(P <0.01),在6周时镉组较对照组提高15.4%(P <0.01)。综上,在蛋鸡低镉饲粮中添加1×10¹⁰cfu/kg的耐镉乳酸菌可提高蛋鸡的生产性能,且显著增加蛋白高度。     

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...     

有机酸和益生元对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋壳质量的影响

文章旨在评估不同钙磷水平日粮中添加有机酸和益生元对蛋鸡产蛋量和蛋壳品质的影响。试验选择504只罗曼褐壳蛋鸡,根据产蛋率一致的原则随机分为14个组,每组36只鸡,采用蛋鸡单笼饲养。试验日粮采用2×7因子设计,即两个钙和磷水平(正常组和低水平组)以及不添加、添加0.8%的菊粉和低聚糖、0.5%挥发性脂肪酸中链脂肪酸、0.25%挥发性脂肪酸+0.25%中链脂肪酸、0.4%菊粉+0.25%中链脂肪酸,试验从26w开始到70w结束。试验结果发现,各处理组对产蛋率、采食量、饲料转化率均无显著影响(P>0.05)。低钙磷日粮显著降低了蛋壳百分率、蛋壳厚度、蛋壳密度和蛋壳强度(P<0.05)。日粮添加益生元和有机酸能显著改善46、58和70w蛋壳质量,其中菊粉和中链脂肪酸对蛋壳质量的改善最为显著(P<0.05)。日粮钙、磷水平与益生元和有机酸对各指标的影响无显著交互作用(P>0.05)。结果表明,日粮添加有机酸可以降低饲料pH,同时益生元可以调控肠道功能,从而对高龄高产蛋鸡蛋壳品质有改善作用。     

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。     

酯化牛膝多糖对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响

为研究饲料中添加酯化牛膝多糖对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响,选取134日龄海兰灰商品代蛋鸡240只,随机分为6组,每组设4个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验Ⅰ组设为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅱ～Ⅵ组为酯化牛膝多糖处理组,分别在基础日粮中添加50、100、200、300、400 mg/kg的酯化牛膝多糖,研究其对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响。结果表明:与对照组相比,50 mg/kg组、100 mg/kg组和200 mg/kg组蛋鸡的产蛋率、蛋重有显著提高(P <0.05),产蛋率151～167日龄分别提高1.51%、 3.25%、1.74%;168～184日龄分别提高4.47%、5.84%、4.47%;100 mg/kg组和200 mg/kg组185～202日龄分别提高2.81%、2.58%,均达到显著水平。185日龄100 mg/kg组以及202日龄100 mg/kg和200 mg/kg组的蛋重分别提高4.29%、5.41%、4.47%,显著高于对照组。50 mg/kg组、100 mg/kg组和200 mg/kg组的料蛋比分别降低2.00%、2.40%、2.40%,差异显著(P <0.05)。100 mg/kg酯化牛膝多糖组哈氏单位显著提高(P <0.05),151、168、185、202日龄分别比对照组提高了7.25%、6.4%、8.14%和10.34%;其对蛋黄相对重、蛋壳厚度、蛋壳强度及蛋壳相对重无显著影响(P> 0.05)。     

日粮添加黄芪多糖对蛋鸡机体抗氧化能力和鸡蛋品质的影响

选用540只27周龄海兰褐蛋鸡,随机分为4个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复27只鸡。采用单因素完全随机分组设计,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂在基础日粮中分别添加100、200、300mg／kg黄芪多糖的日粮,试验期为70d,探讨日粮中添加不同水平的黄芪多糖对蛋鸡机体抗氧化能力和鸡蛋品质的影响。结果显示：黄芪多糖能不同程度地提高（P〈0．05）血清和蛋黄SOD、血清GSH—Px和T-AOC活性,显著降低（P〈0．05）血清和蛋黄MDA含量、蛋黄胆固醇质量浓度。随着受试时间的延长,各组内血清sOD活性显著升高（P〈0．05）,血清MDA含量和T-AOC活性显著降低（P〈0．05）;对照组的蛋黄MDA含量显著升高（P〈0．05）,而血清GsH—Px活性显著降低（P〈0．05）。结果表明,黄芪多糖能改善蛋鸡机体及其产品抗氧化能力,对蛋黄胆固醇质量浓度有降低作用。     

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?...     

人参提取物对蛋鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质、血清生化指标及经济效益的影响

文章旨在评估日粮添加不同水平人参提取物对蛋鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质及血清生化指标的影响.试验选择产蛋性能一致的450只海兰褐壳蛋鸡,随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复30只.对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组分别在基础日粮中添加0.04％和0.08％人参提取物,试验共进行6周.结果:与对照组相比,0.04％和0.08％人参提取物组...     

Impact of an anti-Salmonella. Typhimurium Bacteriophage on intestinal microbiota and immunity status of laying hens

Typhoid is a distinct gastrointestinal disease that largely affects the public by consumption of inadequately or partially cooked eggs from contaminated laying hen farms. This has led the research on laying hens to focus on controlling the contamination by an effective anti-Salmonella spp. agent in the intestine. The treatments included, control, without challenge; PC, Salmonella typhimurium challenged (STC); BP5, 5 ppm bacteriophage/kg + STC; BP10, 10 ppm bacteriophage/kg + STC, on Salmonella shedding, body organs inflammatory reactions, and expression of toll-like receptor (TLR), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and heat shock protein (HSP) in the jejunum, liver,and thigh muscle in the STC laying hens. The RT-PCR method was used to enumerate the number of Salmonella typhimurium in the organs. The birds in the STC groups exhibited the increased population of Salmonella spp. in the excreta (p < .01). In the STC groups, the BP5 and BP10 laying hens exhibited a lower (p < .01) population of Salmonella spp. in the excreta at d 7 after STC. Supplementation of bacteriophage significantly decreased (p < .01) the colonization of S. Typhimurium in the spleen, oviduct, caecum and excreta. Among the STC treatments, the BP10 laying hens showed lower (p < .01) mRNA expression of interferon-γ (IFNγ) and TLR-4 in the jejunum compared with the PC treatment. After the STC, dietary supplementation with BP5 or BP10 decreased (p < .01) the mRNA expressions of IFNγ, HSP-27 and tumour necrosis factor-α in the liver compared with the PC treatment. These results suggest that bacteriophage can be used as an effective agent to decrease S. Typhimurium contamination in laying hens and possibly lower S. Typhimurium transfer to foods.     

酵母菌培养物对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响

270只19周龄的ISABrow母鸡随机分3组处理,每个处理5个重复,研究酵母培养物对产蛋鸡产蛋性能和蛋品质的影响。试验为期16周。酵母培养物在试验中的添加水平分别为0%、0.1%、0.2%。试验中采用的玉米-豆粕型基础日粮中粗蛋白质为16.0%,能量为2800kcal/kg。试验结果表明,饲喂添加0.1%酵母培养物组产蛋鸡的生产性能和每日产蛋量显著提高(P<0.05);各处理组之间的蛋重、饲料摄入和饲料转化率无显著差别;试验组与对照组的蛋壳质量、哈氏单位、蛋黄颜色和蛋黄中脂肪酸含量也无显著差别。     

日粮中添加女贞子粉对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响

选择150只49周龄、平均体重(1.99±0.17)kg的健康海兰褐蛋鸡,采用单因素完全随机分组试验设计,随机分为对照组(基础日粮)、试验组Ⅰ(基础日粮+0.5%女贞子粉)、试验组Ⅱ(基础日粮+1%女贞子粉)。每组设5个重复,每个重复10只蛋鸡,试验期为8周,研究了女贞子粉对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响。结果表明:与对照组相比,试验组Ⅰ、Ⅱ产蛋率分别提高了4.86%和11.75%(P0.05)。试验组Ⅰ蛋黄颜色显著高于对照组9.60%(P0.05)。日粮中添加女贞子粉可以提高蛋鸡产蛋率,改善蛋黄颜色,进而提高蛋鸡的生产性能和蛋品质。     

乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响

为研究乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响,试验采用单因子随机分组试验设计,选取1600只360日龄的罗曼粉壳蛋鸡,随机分为4个处理组,每个处理组8个重复,每个重复50只鸡。础饲日粮为玉米-豆粕型粉状饲粮,处理1组饲喂基础饲粮+60 mg/kg一水硫酸锌(以锌计),处理2组饲喂基础饲粮+60 mg/kg乳酸锌(以锌计),处理3组饲喂基础饲粮+40 mg/kg乳酸锌(以锌计),处理4组饲喂基础饲粮+60 mg/kg锌(一水硫酸锌和乳酸锌提供的锌各一半)。结果表明,蛋鸡日粮中添加60 mg/kg乳酸锌(以锌计)能显著降低平均破蛋率、提高平均蛋壳强度(P<0.05)和明显提高平均蛋壳厚度,并且平均死亡率最低,但对蛋鸡的平均产蛋率、平均蛋重、平均日采食量和平均料蛋比无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

脂肪粉对蛋鸡生产性能及相关理化指标的影响

为探讨饲料中添加脂肪对蛋鸡生产性能的影响,选择300日龄褐壳蛋鸡720只,随机分为3个处理,每个处理分为6个重复;试验组分别添加1％、2％脂肪粉,观测其对蛋鸡生产性能、生理变化及经济效益的影响。结果表明：添加脂肪,可以明显提高（P〈0．05）蛋鸡产蛋率（3．51～5．23％）和蛋重（6．03～8．69％）,降低采食量（3．63～3．67％）,改善饲料报酬（13．08～16．03％）;生理指标检测结果显示,试验组血清T3、T4含量显著提高（P〈0．05）,并且有提高GH、IGF－1含量趋势（P〉0．05）;综合经济效益分析,添加脂肪可以提高蛋鸡养殖效益（16．67～26．98％）。因此,杂粕型蛋鸡饲料中添加脂肪有实际意义。     

Differences of behavior, use of resources and physical conditions between dominant and subordinate hens in furnished cages

The objective of the present study was to search for differences in the behavior, use of resources and the physical condition between dominant and subordinate birds in furnished cages. In total, 60 commercial White Leghorn layers were used. At the age of 54 weeks, these birds were divided into two groups. Each group consisted of six cages with four birds per cage and six cages with six birds per cage. The dominance hierarchy was measured, to identify the highest dominant bird and the lowest subordinate bird in the hierarchy of each furnished cage. Behavioral observations using scanning techniques at 10 min intervals were conducted on the birds at 57 and 67 weeks of age for 3 days, respectively. Their physical condition (bodyweight and claw length) was also measured. Dominant birds used the dust bath more (P < 0.1) and nest box less (P < 0.01) than subordinate birds did. The use of the nest box decreased for subordinate birds from 57 to 67 weeks of age (P < 0.05). The dominant birds performed aggression and exploring more frequently than the subordinate birds (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). In the comfort behaviors, the dominant birds performed dust‐bathing, as well as the using the dust bath, more than subordinate birds did (P < 0.1). In their exploring behavior, including scratching and litter pecking, dominant birds performed both behaviors more frequently, as well as using the dust bath and dust‐bathing in it, than subordinate birds did (P < 0.1 and P < 0.05, respectively). Aggression decreased for dominant birds from 57 to 67 weeks of age. In contrast, eating (P < 0.1) as well as drinking (P < 0.1) and other comfort behaviors (P < 0.1) increased for subordinate birds from 57 to 67 weeks of age. There was no significant difference between dominant and subordinate birds in their physical conditions. In conclusion, dominant birds had priority to use the dust box compared with the subordinate birds in the furnished cages. Conversely, the subordinate birds stayed in the nest box more than the dominant birds did. In the furnished cages, equipping the nest box was important not only for the birds to perform nesting behavior, but also for the subordinate birds to use the facility as a refuge especially just after introduction to the cage.     

乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响

本试验旨在研究乳酸锌对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋壳质量的影响。试验采用单因子随机分组试验设计,选取1600只360日龄的罗曼粉壳蛋鸡,随机分到4个处理组,各处理组8个重复,每个重复50只鸡。基础饲粮采用为玉米－豆粕型粉状饲粮,处理1饲喂基础饲粮＋60mg／kg－水硫酸锌（以锌计）,处理2饲喂基础饲粮＋60mg／kg乳酸锌（以锌计）,处理3饲喂基础饲粮＋40mg／kg乳酸锌（以锌计）,处理4饲喂基础饲粮＋60mg／kg锌（－水硫酸锌和乳酸锌提供的锌各一半）。试验结果表明,在产蛋鸡饲粮中100％以乳酸锌替代硫酸锌（提供的锌含量为60mg／kg）,能显著降低平均破蛋率,提高平均蛋壳强度和平均蛋壳厚度（P〈0．05）,死亡率最低,对蛋鸡的平均产蛋率、平均蛋重、平均日采食量和平均料蛋比无显著影响（P〉0．05）。