海兰褐蛋鸡和京粉2号蛋鸡的生长发育规律及初产蛋品质比较研究

[目的] 研究相同饲养条件下海兰褐蛋鸡苗和京粉2号蛋鸡苗的生长发育规律,评价其初产蛋品质。[方法] 选取1日龄海兰褐蛋鸡苗和京粉2号蛋鸡苗各500只,在相同条件下饲养,每周随机挑选60只个体测量体重,直到13周龄试验结束。采用Logistic、Gompertz 和Von Bertalanffy 3种曲线模型对2种鸡苗的生长发育情况进行拟合。上笼后约30 d,观察和收集2个品种蛋鸡的初产蛋（第一枚蛋）,测定并比较其蛋品质指标。[结果] 2个品种的鸡苗在4~5周龄的生长速率最快。2种鸡苗的日绝对平均增重和相对生长率不同。Logistic、Gompertz 和Von Bertalanffy 3种曲线模型对2种鸡苗的生长发育拟合效果均较为理想,但Gompertz模型的拟合度更高、适合性更强,为最佳生长模型。在初产蛋品质比较中,除蛋宽和蛋形指数外,其余指标均表现为海兰褐蛋鸡的鸡蛋显著（P<0.05）大于京粉2号蛋鸡。[结论] 研究结果可为海兰褐蛋鸡和京粉2号蛋鸡的开发利用及品种改良提供参考。     

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.     

Yeast Culture Supplementation to Laying Hen Diets Containing Soybean Meal or Sunflower Seed Meal and Its Effect on Performance,Egg Quality Traits,and Blood Chemistry

This study was designed to investigate the effects of yeast culture supplementation to laying hen diets containing 2 oilseed meals on performance, egg traits, and some blood parameters. A total of 180 Lohmann Brown laying hens 21 wk of age were allocated to 4 dietary treatments and fed for 16 wk. Two different basal diets were prepared; one contained soybean meal and the other contained sunflower seed meal. Both of the basal diets were supplemented with 0 and 2 g/kg commercial yeast culture product (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Yeast culture supplementation to diets containing either oilseed meal did not significantly affect feed intake, hen-day egg production, feed efficiency, interior and exterior egg quality characteristics, serum levels of total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Body weight gain (P < 0.05), egg weight (P < 0.001), and serum uric acid (P < 0.05) were increased with yeast culture supplementation. The reduction in egg yolk cholesterol was significant (P < 0.001) in the groups fed yeast-supplemented diets. The results in this study demonstrated that yeast culture supplementation to the diets containing soybean meal or sunflower seed meal increased egg weight and decreased egg yolk cholesterol without affecting performance and egg traits, but serum uric acid concentration was increased.     

益生菌-中草药复方制剂对海兰褐蛋鸡输卵管组织、生产性能及蛋品质的影响

试验旨在研究益生菌-中草药复方制剂对蛋鸡输卵管组织、生产性能及蛋品质的影响。选取体质优良的45周龄的海兰褐蛋鸡720只,随机分成4组,每组3个重复,每个重复60只。对照组饲喂不含抗生素的基础日粮,Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ组为试验组,分别在基础日粮中添加1.0‰中草药组方一(败酱草、蒲公英、板蓝根、连翘等)、1.0‰中草药组方二(金银花、黄芪、淫羊藿、益母草等)和1.0‰中草药组方三(大青叶、黄柏、黄芩、栀子等),且各试验组均添加1.5‰复合益生菌。预试期7 d,正试期28 d。结果表明:①益生菌-中草药复方制剂能修复蛋鸡受损的输卵管组织,减少输卵管与周围组织的黏连,使输卵管保持通畅性,降低蛋鸡输卵管组织中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)含量,尤以Ⅱ组效果最好,分别较对照组降低40.85%和17.79%,差异显著(P<0.05);②与对照组相比,Ⅱ组可显著提高蛋鸡产蛋率(P<0.05),显著降低料蛋比和软破蛋率(P<0.05);③与对照组相比,Ⅱ组可显著提高48和50周龄蛋鸡的蛋形指数和蛋黄比率(P<0.05)。由此可知,日粮中添加益生菌-中草药复方制剂能在一定程度上减轻蛋鸡输卵管炎症反应,提高产蛋率,改善蛋品质,其中以Ⅱ组益生菌和金银花、黄芪、淫羊藿、益母草等中草药联合使用效果最好。     

发酵饲料对海兰褐蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响

旨在研究发酵饲料对海兰褐蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响。以玉米和豆粕为发酵底物,利用乳酸菌和酿酒酵母菌进行发酵。选取336日龄的海兰褐蛋鸡600只,随机分为4组,每组150只,3个重复,每个重复50只。试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组的基础日粮中分别添加3%、5%、8%的发酵饲料,对照组基础日粮中不添加发酵饲料。饲喂试验周期为4周,期间测定各组蛋鸡的生产性能及蛋品质相关指标。结果表明,基础日粮中添加不同比例的发酵饲料,均可在一定程度上改善蛋鸡的生产性能和蛋品质,其中：饲喂发酵饲料第2周,试验Ⅱ组的产蛋数与对照组相比显著（P<0.05）增加;饲喂发酵饲料第3周,试验Ⅱ组的产蛋数和总蛋重与对照组相比均显著（P<0.05）提高;饲喂发酵饲料4周后,试验Ⅱ组的产蛋数、总蛋重、产蛋率与对照组相比均显著（P<0.05）提高,并且料蛋比显著（P<0.05）下降;试验Ⅱ组的蛋壳强度显著（P<0.05）高于对照组;试验Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组的哈氏单位显著（P<0.05）高于对照组。综上提示,在基础日粮中添加不同比例的发酵饲料,可在一定程度上提高海兰褐蛋鸡的生产性能及蛋品质,其中,5%添加水平的效果最佳。     

Rare earth element‐enriched yeast improved egg production and egg quality in laying hens in the late period of peak egg production

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of rare earth element‐enriched yeast (RY) on egg production, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD), egg quality, excreta gas emission and excreta microbiota of laying hens. A total of 216 ISA brown laying hens of 52 weeks of age were used in a 5‐week feeding trial and data were collected every week. Birds were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments each with six replicates and 12 hens per replicate. Each cage (38 cm width × 50 cm length × 40 cm height) contained one hen. Treatments consisted of corn–soya bean meal‐based diet supplemented with 0, 500 or 1000 mg/kg of RY. From weeks 55 to 56, inclusion of RY linearly increased (p < 0.05) egg production. The CTTAD of nitrogen was increased (linear, p < 0.05) with increasing dietary level of RY. In week 55, yolk height and Haugh units were increased linearly (p < 0.05) with increasing dietary RY content. However, no significant effects were observed in terms of excreta emissions and excreta microbiota in laying hens. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with RY improved egg production and CTTAD of nitrogen and slightly improved egg quality in laying hens of the late period of peak egg production.     

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.     

Time study examining the effect of range,cage-free,and cage environments on man-hours committed to bird care in 3 brown egg layer strains

Growing consumer awareness concerning layer hen welfare has caused the egg industry to consider alternative environments for egg-laying hens. However, the time commitment for alternative care has not been researched in detail since the 1950s. In 2 experiments, we evaluated the man-hour commitment associated with 3 different environments, including range (R), cage-free (CF), and cage systems (C). Concurrently within the R and CF systems, 3 strains of birds, Hy-Line Silver Brown, Hy-Line Brown, and Barred Plymouth Rock, were examined to see if strain differences were associated with man-hours associated for care. All birds were raised within the environment they were going to be laying in at 17 wk of age, the time data collection started. The system study was a 3-factor randomized design that commenced at 17 wk, when the laying phase commenced with 8 R replicates, 24 CF replicates, and 4 C replicates. The strain study consisted of R and CF systems and 3 strains of Hy-Line Brown, Hy-Line Silver Brown, and Barred Plymouth Rock. All husbandry was provided as appropriate to the production system and in accordance with the approved animal care procedures. Time was recorded for all of the procedures done within the replicates (i.e., egg collection, feeding, and so on). The data were transformed first by man-hours per bird housed and second by man-hours per bird surviving. All time data were analyzed using PROC GLM in SAS. Man-hours per hen decreased from 17 to 37 wk in all production systems. The production environment C required only 0.334 h/hen housed, which is lower as compared with either the CF at 0.486 h/hen housed or R at 1.268 h/hen housed. Strain alone did not influence man-hours; however, the strain with the poorest livability had the greatest man-hour requirement for hens surviving. This study substantiates previous findings that moving from intensive to extensive production systems will increase man-hours per hen by 3 or 4 times.     

Perch Arrangements in Small-Group Furnished Cages for Laying Hens

In 2 trials, including 2,768 birds in total, 3 different perch arrangements were evaluated in furnished 8-hen cages for laying hens. The hybrids used were Lohmann Selected Leghorn and Lohmann Brown in trial 1 and Hy-Line White and Hy-Line Brown in trial 2. The furnished cages were identical in all other respects than the arrangement of perches. A perch was either fitted across the cage, providing 12 cm of perch per hen, or 2 perches were installed in a cross, implying 15 cm per hen. Although the perches arranged in a cross provided more perch per hen than the single perch fitted across the cage, perch use at night by the birds was similar or lower as compared with the single perch. Hence, the way perches are arranged in the cage may be as important as perch length itself to achieve a high use at night. Perch arrangement did not affect production, mortality, or egg quality. Compared with a conventional battery cage, also included in the trials, hygiene was inferior in the furnished cages, but there was no difference in proportions of dirty eggs. Differences in proportions of cracked eggs were found between furnished and conventional cages in 1 of the trials. However, on the whole, production, mortality, and egg quality were at similar levels in all cage models. Genotype differences were found in production traits, egg quality, hygiene, and in the use of perches and nests.     

Effects of supplementing microalgae in laying hen diets on productive performance,fatty-acid profile,and oxidative stability of eggs

The purpose of this trial was to investigate the effects of adding graded levels of dehydrated, whole-cell microalgae (All-G-Rich^TM, Alltech Inc.) in layer diets on the performance, egg and shell quality, yolk color, oxidative stability, and fatty-acid concentration of eggs. Six replicate groups of 5 Hy-Line W-36 laying hens were assigned to each of 4 dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of feeding a corn-soybean meal control diet alone or supplemented with 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0% All-G-Rich^TM during a 32-wk production period. Fatty-acid content of egg yolk was analyzed after feeding the experimental diets for 4 wk. The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content in egg yolk was linearly increased (P < 0.01) with increasing levels of algae in the diet. There was no effect of dietary treatments on production performance of layers in the entire trial period. Egg weight and eggshell quality were not affected by dietary treatments. Supplements of 2 or 3% All-G-Rich^TM significantly increased redness (a*) and decreased lightness (L) of egg yolk. Yolk fatty-acid oxidation, as measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), was not affected by treatments in eggs stored up to 30 d at 4°C. Based on these data, adding All-G-Rich^TM in layer diets can produce DHA-enriched eggs with no negative impact on egg quality.     

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 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.     

Stress parameters and immune response of layers under different cage floor and density conditions

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of cage floor and cage density on stress parameters of laying hens. A total of 162 brown laying hens (Hyline Brown), aged 34 weeks, were used in the experiment. Compact-type battery cages, with three floors, were used. Hens were allocated as one, three or five hens in each of 18 cages to obtain three different cage density groups of 1968, 656 and 393.8 cm² floor area per hen, respectively. The same number of cages with different cage density were allocated to three different battery floors (first floor=top, second=middle, third=bottom) systematically. Values for body weight, mortality rate, egg weight, egg production, egg quality characteristics, egg yolk cholesterol content, the levels of blood plasma corticosterone, serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides, the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (H-L ratio), antibody titers, claw length score, foot health score, plumage score and throat skin injuries were taken as indicators of stress. The values for egg weight (P<0.01) at the first floor were greater than the other floor levels. The group with five hens per cage had significantly lower mean estimates (P<0.01) than other groups with respects to body weight (P<0.001), egg production (P<0.001), egg weight (P<0.001) and plumage score (P<0.01), while significantly higher mean estimates for egg albumen index (P<0.01), Haugh unit (P<0.01), serum glucose (P<0.001), and H-L ratio (P<0.001). Serum cholesterol was higher in cages with one hen than that with five hens, whereas plasma corticosterone was lower. Antibody titers in cages with one hen was similar to that with three or five hens; however, those with three hens had higher titers than those with five hens. Values for egg breaking strength, yolk index, egg cholesterol content, and foot health score were not affected by cage density or floor. The results suggest that the allocation of three hens per cage had no measurable effect on health and welfare.     

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.     

珍珠鸡蛋与海兰褐鸡蛋蛋品质及营养成分比较分析

珍珠鸡是从国外引进,经人工驯养育成的一个特色品种,其蛋用性能获得了显著进展,为加快蛋产品的开发力度,增加其附加价值,对珍珠鸡蛋和海兰褐鸡蛋蛋品质及营养成分进行比较分析。试验随机抽取新鲜珍珠鸡蛋、海兰褐鸡蛋各100枚,测定其蛋外、内在品质及主要营养成分,采用Duncan新复极差法、皮尔逊相关系数进行比较分析。研究表明,在外部品质方面,海兰褐鸡蛋蛋重高于珍珠鸡蛋15.54g（35.61%）,有极显著差异（P〈0.01）;珍珠鸡蛋蛋壳厚度比海兰褐鸡蛋的蛋壳厚0.14mm（40%）,差异极显著（P〈0.01）;由于蛋重的差异,两种鸡蛋蛋黄比例、蛋白比例、蛋壳比例也均有极显著差异（P〈0.01）。在内在品质方面,两种鸡蛋蛋清pH、蛋黄高度、蛋黄系数均无明显差异;珍珠鸡蛋浓蛋白高度比海兰褐鸡蛋的低3.02mm,有极显著差异（P〈0.01）;浓蛋白系数比海兰褐的高0.87,有显著差异（P〈0.05）;珍珠鸡蛋蛋黄颜色比海兰褐鸡蛋的颜色大一个罗氏比色值,有显著差异（P〈0.05）。在营养成分上,以g/枚为单位,珍珠鸡蛋的主要营养成分除胆固醇高于海兰褐鸡蛋外,其他均低于海兰褐鸡蛋。以g/100g为单位,珍珠鸡蛋水分含量明显低于海兰褐鸡蛋,相差12.62（20.21%）,差异极显著（P〈0.01）,脂肪含量也低于海兰褐鸡蛋,差异显著（P〈0.05）,相差1.34（4.4%）,其它营养成分均高于海兰褐鸡蛋。珍珠鸡蛋是较海兰褐鸡蛋小、壳厚、水分含量低、营养丰富的浓缩型蛋,为珍珠鸡蛋的蛋品开发创造了条件。     

Effect of Monochromatic Light on the Egg Quality of Laying Hens

The chicken eye can discriminate light color, and different light wavelengths affect egg quality. In this study, we used blue (B), green (G), and red (R) light produced by light-emitting diode lamps, as well as incandescent light (W) to illuminate Hy-Line Brown hens from 19 to 52 wk. All light sources were equalized to a light intensity of 15 lx and applied for 16 h daily. The results showed that egg weight in W light (61.1 g) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than those in R light (59.2 g) throughout the experimental stage. Beginning at the age of 30 wk, egg weight in R light was consistently smaller than those in other lights. The egg length in B light was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter than those in other lights, and its width was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter than those in W light from 38 to 52 wk. The egg width in R light was significantly (P < 0.01) shorter than those in W light and to a lesser extent (P < 0.05) shorter than those in B and G lights from 19 to 52 wk. Similarly, eggshell strength in G light was significantly (P < 0.01) better than those in W and B lights, and eggshell thickness in G light was significantly (P < 0.05) better than those in other lights from 21 to 45 wk. Our results indicate that egg weight in R light was less than those in other lights, the egg length and egg width in B light became shorter, and the egg width in R light became shorter with age; the egg quality in G light was found to be the best.     

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.     

Selenium contents of eggs from broiler breeders supplemented with sodium selenite or zinc-l-selenium-methionine

This study evaluated the effects of sources and levels of Se in broiler breeder diets on egg production and Se concentration in eggs. Fifty Cobb 500 hens, 22 wk of age, were individually placed in steel cages and fed a basal diet without Se supplementation for 3 wk. Birds were then provided 5 dietary treatments with 10 replicates of 1 individual hen, which had dietary Se supplied from sodium selenite (inorganic; Na₂ SeO₃, 45% Se) or from Zn-l-Se-methionine (organic; ZnSeMet, 0.1% Se) as follows: treatment 1, 0.15% Se from Na₂ SeO₃; treatment 2, 0.30% Se from Na₂ SeO₃; treatment 3, 0.15% Se from ZnSeMet; treatment 4, 0.30% Se from ZnSeMet; treatment 5, 0.15% Se from Na₂ SeO₃ + 0.15% Se from ZnSeMet. Evaluations were conducted in 2 periods of 4 wk each. Experimental diets were prepared through the supplementation of corn-soybean meal diets. Egg production and egg weight were recorded daily, whereas specific gravity was measured twice a week from 25 to 32 wk. In the first period, the hens fed 0.30 ppm of organic Se produced more eggs (P < 0.05), whereas no difference (P > 0.05) in egg production was found in the second period. Period evaluations showed that egg weight was not different (P > 0.05), whereas specific gravity decreased (P < 0.05) and Se concentration in eggs increased (P < 0.05) in the second period, regardless of Se source. A comparison between treatments with single Se sources demonstrated that the concentration of Se in eggs followed the increased levels in the feeds when ZnSeMet was used (P < 0.05). However, the supplementation of a combination of sources (Na₂ SeO₃ and ZnSeMet) produced similar egg Se concentrations.     

The long-term effects of using a higher amount of iodine supplement on the efficiency of laying hens

1. Two different levels of dietary iodine supplement (K + 0, 3.57 mg/kg; K + I, 6.07 mg/kg) were used in a 52-week experiment using 32 ISA Brown laying hens. 2. The greater iodine content in the diet impaired the egg production (K + 0, 319.9 +/- 1.31 eggs/hen; K + I, 312.4 +/- 4.19 eggs/hen), the egg weight (K + 0, 64.4 + 0.66 g; K + I, 63.1 +/- 0.61 g) and the food to egg mass ratio (K + 0, 2.13 +/- 0.023 kg/kg; K + I, 2.22 +/- 0.030 kg/kg). 3. The greater dietary iodine content had significant (P<0.05) negative effects on Haugh units, yolk index and eggshell weight.     

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.