Modelling energy utilisation in broiler breeder hens

1. The objective of this study was to determine a metabolisable energy (ME) requirement model for broiler breeder hens. The influence of temperature on ME requirements for maintenance was determined in experiments conducted in three environmental rooms with temperatures kept constant at 13, 21 and 30 degrees C using a comparative slaughter technique. The energy requirements for weight gain were determined based upon body energy content and efficiency of energy utilisation for weight gain. The energy requirements for egg production were determined on the basis of egg energy content and efficiency of energy deposition in the eggs. 2. The following model was developed using these results: ME = kgW0.75(806.53-26.45T + 0.50T2) + 31.90G + 10.04EM, where kgW0.75 is body weight (kg) raised to the power 0.75, T is temperature ( degrees C), G is weight gain (g) and EM is egg mass (g). 3. A feeding trial was conducted using 400 Hubbard Hi-Yield broiler breeder hens and 40 Peterson males from 31 to 46 weeks of age in order to compare use of the model with a recommended feeding programme for this strain of bird. The application of the model in breeder hens provided good productive and reproductive performance and better results in feed and energy conversion than in hens fed according to strain recommendation. In conclusion, the model evaluated predicted an ME intake which matched breeder hens' requirements.     

Effects of dietary chromium picolinate and ascorbic acid supplementation on egg production, egg quality and some serum metabolites of laying hens reared under a low ambient temperature (6 degrees C).

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) supplementation on egg production and egg quality in laying hens (Hy-Line) kept at 18 degrees C (at thermo-neutral zone) or 6 degrees C (cold stress) in temperature-controlled rooms. One hundred and fifty laying hens (32 week-old) were divided into 5 groups, 30 hens per group. The laying hens kept at 6 degrees C temperature were fed either a basal diet (low temperature-basal diet, LTB group) or the basal diet supplemented with either 400 micrograms of Cr per kg diet (Cr group), 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid per kg diet (Vit C group) or 400 micrograms of Cr plus 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid per kg diet (Vit C + Cr group) while hens kept at 18 degrees C fed a basal diet (thermo-neutral-basal diet, TNB group). Performance and egg quality were significantly reduced in LTB group compared with TNB group. Supplemental chromium and vitamin C significantly increased live weight change, egg production, and improved feed efficiency in cold-stressed hens compared with group fed the basal diet at 6 degrees C brought up to the values of the group reared under thermoneutral conditions (18 degrees C). Egg production and egg weight were also greater in each supplemental group compared with the LTB group. Separately or as a combination, supplemental chromium and vitamin C increased serum insulin but decreased corticosterone, glucose and cholesterol concentrations. Results of the present study show that supplementing vitamin C and chromium, particularly as a combination, improved the performance of cold-stressed hens. Such a combination of supplement can offer a potential protective management practice in preventing cold stress-related losses in performance of laying hens.     

Effects of supplemental L-carnitine in drinking water on performance and egg quality of laying hens exposed to a high ambient temperature

The present study was conducted to investigate effects of L-carnitine supplied with drinking water on performance and egg quality of laying hens under high environmental temperature. In the study, 47-week-old laying hens (Brown hisex) were divided into two groups (control and treatment) and fed with a standard layer diet. Treatment group was received 50 p.p.m L-carnitine with drinking water for an 8-week period. Throughout the study, 8 h hot (35-37 degrees C) and 16 h thermoneutral (20-22 degrees C) environmental temperature regime was employed daily. The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation affected some egg quality characteristics of layers under high environmental temperature. Relative albumen weight and height were increased (p < 0.05) by supplemental L-carnitine. Live weight gain, feed intake, egg mass, egg weight, yolk weight, shell weight, yolk index, egg-shape index, yolk colour score and shell thickness were not affected (p < 0.05) by L-carnitine. It is concluded that L-carnitine supplementation in laying hens could have potential to improve albumen quality under high environmental temperature.     

Differential response of sex‐linked albino (s al ) and silver (S) hens to high and low light intensity

1. Sex‐linked albino (s ^al ) and S (Silver) female chicks were hatched from heterozygous sires from a brown egg‐type line. They were raised in a windowless house and at 17 weeks of age were caged individually in 4 rooms with white fluorescent tubes: two rooms had a “low” light intensity (less than 10 lux) and two had a “high” intensity (average near 400 lux). In total, 157 females completed the experiment.

2. Body weight, sexual maturity, egg weight, the number of abnormal and cracked eggs, efficiency of food utilisation and mortality were not affected either by lighting treatment or by genotype.

3. The genotype X treatment interaction was highly significant for egg number, laying percentage and clutch length to 362 d. The S females were not affected by light intensity. Albino hens of “high” light intensity were superior to the other 3 groups, laying 12 per cent more eggs than non‐albino hens; but their egg production was moderately depressed by “dim” light relative to others.     

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.     

Differential Effects of Heat Stress in Three Strains of Laying Hens

Hy-Line Brown, W36, and W98 hens were housed for 2 wk at 22°C, exposed to 35°C heat stress (HS) for 2 wk, and had 2 wk of recovery at 22°C. Production parameters (egg production, feed intake, egg quality measures, and mortality), acid-base status (pH, pCO₂, HCO₃⁻, pO₂), intestinal calcium uptake, and expression of hepatic heat shock protein-70 were measured. All production parameters except mortality were reduced by HS in all 3 strains. There were strain × temperature interactions for egg production, feed intake, shell thickness, specific gravity, and yolk weight, with the least severe reduction in W98 hens. The W36 hens were intermediate for egg production and feed intake, and the Brown and W36 hens were equivalent for shell thickness, specific gravity, and yolk weight. There were no interactions for egg, albumen, and shell weights, Haugh units, and intestinal calcium uptake, and all were reduced by HS. Blood pH and pCO₂ were reduced by HS, and hepatic heat shock protein-70 was increased, with no differences among strains. Mortality rates during HS were 16, 8, and 4% for the Brown, W98, and W36 hens, respectively, but were not subjected to statistical analysis. The results suggest a mechanism in the W98 bird that appears to confer an advantage during HS with regard to egg production.     

Egg production response of laying chickens to feather clipping,cool water and aspirin during hot weather conditions

An 8-week trial was conducted between March and May (hot-dry season) to determine effects of water temperature, feather clipping and aspirin on egg production of chickens. The treatments tested were hens given ordinary drinking water (control), cool water (100 g ice block per L) and aspirin (0.3 mg per L of ordinary water) and hens whose feathers were clipped (about two thirds of body feathers clipped). At 32 weeks of age, 120 Lohmann brown layer chickens of similar live weights were randomly divided into 12 groups of ten hens each and assigned to the treatments in triplicate using a completely randomized design. Feed and water were given ad libitum. Data included feed intake, water consumption, hen-day egg production and egg weight. Ambient house temperature, hen’s cloacal temperature and water temperature were monitored daily during the experimental period. Mean daily ambient temperature increased from 28.4 to 35.0 °C during the study period with consequent increase in cloacal temperatures (40.31 to 41.18 °C) of hens, ordinary drinking water and cool water. None of the treatments had any significant (P?>?0.05) effects on feed intake and water consumption of the birds. Hens given cool water produced more (P?P?P?>?0.05). It is concluded that the provision of cool water in a hot-dry climate had a beneficial effect on egg laying performance of chickens.     

The relationship of several genes suppressing plumage colour with body weight, food intake and feather loss of laying hens

1. Growth rate, egg number, egg and adult body weight, plumage condition, food intake and efficiency of laying hens were compared in birds differing in plumage colour genotype at five loci (C, I, S, Ig, B). 2. Laying rates of the different genotypes were not different. 3. Growth rate and adult body weight of females were significantly less in loci C and I white females as compared with the corresponding coloured females; there was a similar tendency in adult weight for the other loci, and in egg weight. Differences in body weight were more marked in birds kept in cages than in those kept on the floor. 4. For all loci the genotype suppressing colour was associated with less plumage deterioration, this being highly significant for loci C and S. 5. Food intake, adjusted for body weight and egg production, was less in locus I white hens, in agreement with previous data concerning the C locus. 6. Pleiotropic effects associated with colour were suggested and their consequences on efficiency of egg production are discussed.     

益生素与酵母细胞壁对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响

选择28周龄体重相近、健康的海兰褐蛋鸡1.8万羽,随机分成4组,分别饲喂基础饲粮(A组,对照组)、基础饲粮+100 g/t益生素(B组)、基础饲粮+800 g/t酵母细胞壁(C组)、基础饲粮+50 g/t益生素+400 g/t酵母细胞壁(D组),至50周龄结束。结果显示:(1)试验各组间蛋鸡日采食量、平均蛋重没有显著差异,但D组平均蛋重较A组提高了1.19%(P0.05)。与A组相比,试验组蛋鸡产蛋率均有不同程度提高,其中D组蛋鸡产蛋率提高了2.97%(P0.05),且高于单独添加的B组、C组(P0.05);与A组相比,料蛋比均有不同程度下降,其中D组料蛋比下降了1.42%(P0.05),且低于单独添加的B组、C组(P0.05)。(2)与A组相比,除B组略降低,C组、D组哈夫单位均不同程度提高,但差异均不显著(P0.05);与A组相比,各试验组蛋黄颜色均不同程度变深,但差异不显著(P0.05)。各组蛋壳厚度差异不显著(P0.05)。结果表明:在蛋鸡饲粮中单独添加益生素、酵母细胞壁,或将益生素与酵母细胞壁复合添加均可不同程度提高蛋鸡的生产性能和蛋品质,复合添加(基础饲粮+50 g/t益生素+400 g/t酵母细胞壁)的效果更佳。     

蛋鸡OCX-32、OVA基因多态性及其与蛋品质性状的关联分析

试验旨在研究卵钙蛋白-32（ovocalyxin-32,OCX-32）、卵清蛋白（ovalbumin,OVA）基因多态性与蛋品质性状的关联性,寻找与蛋鸡蛋品质性状相关的分子遗传标记。采用PCR-SSCP技术对海兰褐蛋鸡父母代中OCX-32、OVA基因的多态位点进行检测,使用SPSS 22.0软件将不同基因型与海兰褐蛋鸡蛋品质性状进行关联分析,并进一步在子代中验证,寻找优势基因型。结果显示,OCX-32基因第6外显子中检测到AA、BB和CC 3种基因型,2个突变位点,分别位于7 018和7 116 bp;OVA基因第5外显子中检测到AA、BC、BB 3种基因型,2个突变位点位于4 296和4 323 bp。关联分析结果表明,海兰褐蛋鸡父母代OCX-32基因AA基因型的蛋黄重极显著高于BB和CC基因型（P < 0.01）;海兰褐蛋鸡父母代OVA基因AA基因型的哈氏单位及蛋白高度极显著高于BC基因型（P < 0.01）,显著高于BB基因型（P < 0.05）,AA基因型蛋白重显著高于BC基因型（P < 0.05）。在子代中验证进一步确定了OCX-32基因的AA基因型为调控蛋黄重的优势基因型,OVA基因的AA基因型为调控哈氏单位、蛋白高度和蛋白重的优势基因型。综上所述,OCX-32及OVA基因对蛋品质性状有一定影响,可作为蛋鸡的分子育种标记。     

促卵泡激素受体基因第2内含子多态性对如皋黄鸡繁殖性状的遗传效应分析

试验以260只如皋黄鸡为素材,采用飞行质谱技术对位于促卵泡素受体(follicle stimulate hormone receptor,FSHR)基因第2内含子的3个SNPs位点进行检测,并对其与繁殖性状的相关性进行了分析。结果表明,C+29329A突变对开产日龄、开产蛋重及40周龄蛋重有显著影响(P<0.05);而C+30582G只与40周龄总产蛋数呈显著相关(P<0.05);G+51411A则对开产日龄、开产体重及40周龄总产蛋数有显著影响(P<0.05)。研究结果显示,FSHR基因有望成为选育高产蛋鸡的分子标记,辅助选育、开发中国地方鸡品种资源。     

Effect of dietary defatted diatom biomass on egg production and quality of laying hens

Background： This study was to determine if feeding laying hens with defatted diatom microalgal biomass （DFA） from biofuel production affected their egg production and health status. Methods： Five replicates of 5 individually caged ISA Babcock White leghorn hens were fed 4 diets, including a corn-soybean meal control diet, a diet containing 7.5% DFA substituting for soybean meal, and diets containing 7.5% or 15% DFA substituting for corn and soybean meal. Body weights, feed intake, feed conversion ratio （FCR）, rate of egg production, egg size, egg mass, and several characteristics of eggs were determined at 4 and 8 wk. Venous blood was sampled at 4 and 8 wk for measurement of 5 biomarkers of health. Results： The15% DFA diet decreased （P 〈 0.05） feed intake, egg production, and plasma uric acid concentrations as compared with the control diet, but increased （P 〈 0.05） egg albumen weight and height compared with the 7.5% DFA diets. The two levels of DFA produced dose-dependent （P 〈 0.05） changes in three color measures of egg yolk, without affecting four hen plasma biochemical indicators of health. Conclusions： Feeding laying hens with 7.5% DFA in the corn-soybean meal diet for 8 wk had no adverse effect on their health, egg production, or egg quality, but 15% inclusion reduced feed intake, egg production, and efficiency of feed utilization.     

Effects of the naked‐neck gene on traits associated with egg laying in a dwarf stock at two temperatures

1. Naked‐neck (NaNa and Nana⁺ ) and normal hens, all dwarf (dw), were compared for laying performance in two groups at 15 to 20 or 30 °C.

2. Naked‐neck hens, especially homozygotes, weighed less only at the cooler temperature. Body fatness was not different.

3. Normal, but not naked‐neck birds, showed a depression in food intake and egg output at 30 °C. In the hot environment mean egg weight and egg mass output were highest for naked‐neck homozygotes. At the cooler temperature mean egg weight was also higher for this genotype, at fixed body weight.

4. The decline in egg mass with time seemed greater for fully‐feathered layers at high temperature.

5. At moderate temperature residual food intake was slightly increased by the naked‐neck gene, but owing to the reduced body weight, food utilisation was not poorer for the NaNa or Nana ⁺ genotypes. At higher temperature Nana ⁺ and especially NaNa hens utilised food more efficiently.

6. An increase in wattle size and a slight decrease in body temperature were associated with the Na allele.

     

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。     

Interaction between the temperature of the surroundings, performance and level of feed for growing pigs

Investigations of the performance of growing pigs in the live weight range of 30 to 60 kg kept individually and in groups with ad libitum and rationed feeding were carried out in two air-conditioned rooms. The air temperature in the individual experiments was 20 degrees C, 10 degrees C and 5 degrees C, the relative atmospheric moisture in all experiments was between 70 and 80%. A diminished growth of 24 g per day per degrees C below 20 degrees could be ascertained for pigs kept individually. The diminishing of the growth can be compensated by an increase of the feed intake of 1.3 g per kg live weight, day and degrees C resp. the intake of metabolisable energy of 4 kcal per kg live weight, day and degrees C until the capacity of feed consumption is reached.     

Production responses of laying hens to 28 h bright:dim light cycles using different light intensity ratios and a 24 h temperature regimen

Seven hundred and twenty laying hens housed in 8 environmentally-controlled rooms were changed from a 24 h light:dark cycle to a 28 h ahemeral bright:dim cycle. The ahemeral cycles consisted of periods of bright and dim light in ratios of intensity: 5:1, 10:1 and 30:1. The last regimen was applied either at a constant 21 degrees C or with a 24 h alternating temperature varying between 21 and 31 degrees C. Eggs were collected hourly from each bird for 5 d immediately before the introduction of ahemeral cycles and then over the same period 2 weeks after introduction. The interval between successive eggs within sequences lengthened with increasing bright:dim ratios. The increase in egg weight and decrease in deformation score were not significant. Total egg mass output was not altered. The cycling temperature regimen did not alter the entrainment of the birds, although intra-sequence interval decreased. The decrease in egg weight and increase in deformation score were not significant.     

Sand intake by laying hens and its effect on egg production parameters

Soil intake may be the most prominent source of environmental contaminants for free range and organic hens, but there are no quantitative data concerning soil intake by domestic hens. Consumption of soil of 14–32 g a day can be estimated from literature, but such a dilution of nutrient intake seems incompatible with high productivity. In this study laying hens were fed pelleted diets with 0%, 10%, 20%, 25% and 30% of sand addition to determine its effect on productivity. Feed intake, feed and nutrient (feed minus sand) conversion ratio, egg production, egg weight and body weight gain were measured over a 4-week period. Acid insoluble ash concentration in the faeces was measured to determine the accuracy of estimating the soil ingestion by the soil-ingestion equation for wildlife as a way to determine soil ingestion of free range and organic hens under practical circumstances. The hens were able to compensate the dilution of the diet with 20%, 25% and 30% of sand by increasing their feed intake. Feed intake increased significantly and feed to egg conversion ratio decreased significantly with increasing sand levels in the diet. The nutrient to egg conversion ratio of the diet without sand tended to be worse than for the diets with sand, presumably due to the total absence of coarse material in the diet. There were no differences in egg production and egg weight between hens fed the different diets but body weight gain was significantly lower for the hens fed the diets with 20%, 25% and 30% of sand. Estimation of sand ingestion was done by the soil-ingestion equation for wildlife. Provided that the actual dry matter digestibility coefficient of the nutrient part of the diet is taken into account, estimating the soil ingestion according to the soil-ingestion equation for wildlife seems an appropriate way to determine soil ingestion for free range and organic hens under practical circumstances.     

The use of a methanol bacterial mass in multigenerational studies in the hen. 2. Laying period

In a multi-generation trial with 120 or 96 hens of the breed White Leghorn per group the effect of diets containing 7.5% or 15.0% of methanol-grown dried bacterial cells was examined. The hens were kept in conventional three-stage battery. In two of the three experiments the feed intake was decreased if it was used methanol-grown bacterial cells as a protein source. The period of intensive laying (50% egg production) started later and the egg production has been decreased by using the bacterial cells. For the traits egg weight and mortality no relation to the nutrition could be found. The feeding of methanol-grown bacterial cells showed in two incubatory trials no negative effects on reproductive ability of the hens. The cock's sperm quality was not influenced in two experiments. In one trial the sperm volume was reduced and the sperm concentration was raised if diets contained methanol-grown dried bacterial cells. Indications of toxic influences of the methanol-grown bacterial cells were not found.     

高温环境对家禽营养物质消化的影响

高温环境是影响家禽生产的一个重要因素,高温环境下家禽采食量降低,肉鸡生长速度减慢,蛋鸡产蛋率、蛋重及体重下降。高温环境影响家禽生产性能并非全部由于采食量下降引起的,即使在相同采食量的条件下,高温环境仍显著降低家禽的生产性能。本文针对高温环境对家禽营养物质消化代谢以及消化酶活性、肠道结构、饲粮排空速度等方面的影响进行归纳总结,为进一步了解高温环境对家禽消化吸收功能的影响及其营养调控提供科学依据。     

高温应激对高产蛋鸡的不利影响及应对策略

夏季高温应激会对高产蛋鸡的生产性能产生不利影响。综述了高温对蛋鸡采食量,营养物质的代谢、消化和吸收,产蛋量和蛋品质,免疫机能等方面的影响,并提出了应对高温应激对蛋鸡不利影响的策略,以期为蛋鸡养殖业的发展提供参考意见。