Effects of Fermentation Product Containing Phytase on Productive Performance,Egg Quality,and Phosphorous Apparent Metabolism of Laying Hens Fed Different Levels of Phosphorus

This study investigated the effects of fermentation product containing phytase （FPP） that was fermented using waste vinegar residue （WVR） as substrate from Aspergillusficuum NTG-23 on productive performance, egg quality, and phosphorus apparent metabolism of laying hens. First, 375 22-wk-old Jinghong hens were allocated into 5 treatments （5 replicates of 15 hens each） in an 8-wk experiment for evaluating the parameters of productive performance, egg quality, serum, and tibia. Experimental diets contained 4% FPP and 96% corn-soybean diet. The levels of dicalciurn phosphate （DCP） were 1.34, 1.01, 0.67, 0.34 and 0%. Next, thirty 31-wk-old Jinghong hens were fed 5 types of diets for evaluating phosphorous apparent metabolism rate. Egg productive rate, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, Haugh unit, egg albumen height, serum calcium, tibia ash, tibia ash calcium and tibia breaking strength were not different significantly among 5 treatments. The significant difference of average daily feed intake was not appeared when the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was reduced to 0.67%; the eggshell hardness, eggshell thickness and serum phosphorus were not reduced significantly until the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was reduced to 0.34%. The yolk color was improved when the laying hens fed deficient DCP corn-soybean-FPP diet. A 22.14% reduction in excreta phosphorus was observed when the laying hens fed low phosphorus （0.67% DCP） corn-soybean-FPP diet. A 30% elevation of phosphorus apparent metabolism rate was obtained when the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was decreased from 1.34 to 1.01%. The reducing cost of layer diet was totalized about 120 CNY 1000 kg1 diet when the content of DCP was 0.67% in corn-soybean-FPP diet. These results indicated that FPP could be applied in laying hen as a potential, cost-effective and rational application of WVR.

The Effects of Dietary Fatty Acid Pattern on Layer's Performance and Egg Quality

The feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of flaxseed on layer＇s performance and egg quality, and the effects of the dietary ratio of ω-6 fatty acid to ω-3 fatty acid on fatty acid deposition in yolk using flaxseed as resource of ω-3 fatty acid and sunflower seed as resource of ω-6 fatty acid. 192 20-wk-old Newroman commercial hens were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates containing 8 birds. The rations corresponding with the four treatments were formulated with 4% flaxseed ＋ 9% sunflower seed, 8% flaxseed ＋ 18% sunflower seed, 15% flaxseed, and soybean meal, respectively. Sunflower seed was unshelled and flaxseed was whole. Ratios of ω-6 fatty acid to ω-3 fatty acid in 4 dietary treatments were 5.67, 5.21, 1.07, and 11.83, respectively. It can be concluded that long-term feeding 15% flaxseed had no significant （P〉 0.05） influence on egg production, egg weight, eggshell quality, yolk weight, and percentage of yolk weight. Dietary ratio of ω-6 fatty acid to ω-3 fatty acid had impact on the 0-3 fatty acid levels in yolk, nevertheless yolk fatty acid profiles were different from those of dietary fatty acid compositions.

The influences of SE infection on layers' production performance,egg quality and blood biochemical indicators

Background： Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis （SE）, as a major cause of foodborn illness, infects humans mainly through the egg. However, the symptom of laying hens usually is not typical and hard to diagnosis. In the present study, it is studied that the influences of SE infection on layers＇ performance, egg quality and blood biochemical indicators. It will help us to improve the strategy to control SE infection in commercial layers. One hundred layers at 20 wk of age were divided into 2 groups, 60 hens for experiment and others for control. The experiment group was fed with the dosage of 108 CFU SE per hen. The specific PCR was used to detect the deposition of SE. On the 8 d after SE infection, 10 hens from the control group and 30 hens from the experimenta group were slaughtered to detect the SE colonization. The production performance, egg quality and blood biochemical indices were also analyzed. Results： The results showed that the colonization rate of SE was highest in caecum contents （55.17%） and lowest in vagina （17.24%）. For the eggs the detection rate of SE was highest on the eggshell （80.00%） and lowest in yolk （18.81%）. SE infection had no significant influence on production performance and egg qualities （P 〉 0.05）. The difference of laying rate between the experimental and control groups was less than 0.30%, and both were approximately equal to 82.00%. The blood analysis showed that the aspartic aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） of experimental group was significantly higher than those of control group （P 〈 0.05）. For experimental and control groups AST values were 236.22 U/I and 211.84 U/I respectively, and ALT values were 32.19 U/I and 24.55 U/I. All of coefficients were less than 20%. The colonization of SE in organs increases the enzyme activities of AST and ALT in blood. Conclusions： SE in feed could invade the oviduct and infect the forming eggs. It significantly increased the concentration of ALT and AST in blood. However,SE infection was hard to be observed from the appearances of layer and egg. It might be a dangerous risk to human health.

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 Quercetin on Egg Quality and Components in Laying Hens of Different Weeks

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of quercetin on egg quality and components in laying hens of different weeks. A total of 240 healthy Hessian laying hens at 29, 39-week-old with similar body weight and laying rate were randomly divided into four groups with six replicates of 10 each replicate, respectively. The treatments were fed with basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g-kg-1 quercetin for 8 weeks. The results showed that compared with the control, broken or soft shell rate significantly decreased at 0.2 and 0.4 g.kg-1 quercetin and eggshell thickness significantly increased at 0.4 g.kg-1 quercetin （P〈0.01） in laying hens at 39-47 weeks old; yolk protein significantly decreased at 0.6 g kg-1 quercetin （P〈0.05） in laying hens at 29-37 weeks old; while yolk protein significantly increased at three quercetin treatments in laying hens at 39-47 weeks old; yolk cholesterol significantly decreased by quercetin in laying hens at 29-37 weeks old （P〈0.05）; yolk total phospholipids significantly increased at 0.4 and 0.6 g kg-1 quercetin （P〈0.01） and yolk cholesterol significantly decreased at 0.6 g kg-1 quercetin （P〈0.05） in laying hens at 39-47 weeks old. In a word, quercetin affected egg quality and components to some extents in laying hens of different weeks, the older the hens became, the better improvement they would be. The optimum level of quercetin was 0.4 g kg-1 in the basal diet.

Egg quality, fatty acid composition and immunoglobulin Y content in eggs from laying hens fed full fat camelina or flax seed

Background： The current study was conducted to evaluate egg quality and egg yolk fatty acids and immunoglobulin（Ig Y） content from laying hens fed full fat camelina or flax seed.Methods： A total of 75, 48-week-old Lohman brown hens were randomly allocated to 3 treatments, with 5replicates containing 5 laying hens each replicate. The hens were fed corn-soybean basal diet（Control）, or Control diet with 10 % of full fat camelina（Camelina） or flax seed（Flax） for a period of 16 wk. Hen production performance egg quality, egg yolk lipids, fatty acids and Ig Y were determined every 28 d during the experimental period.Results： Egg production was higher in hens fed Camelina and Flax than in Control hens（P 〈 0.05）. Egg weight and albumen weight was lowest in eggs from hens fed Camelina（P 〈 0.05）. Shell weight relative to egg weight（shell weight %）, and shell thickness was lowest in eggs from hens fed Flax（P 〈 0.05）. No difference was noted in Haugh unit, yolk：albumen ratio, and yolk weight. Significant increase in α-linolenic（18：3 n-3）, docosapentaenoic（22：5 n-3）and docoshexaenoic（22：6 n-3） acids were observed in egg yolk from hens fed Camelina and Flax. Total n-3 fatty acids constituted 1.19 % in Control eggs compared to 3.12 and 3.09 % in Camelina and Flax eggs, respectively（P 〈 0.05）. Eggs from hens fed Camelina and Flax had the higher Ig Y concentration than those hens fed Control diet when expressed on a mg/g of yolk basis（P 〈 0.05）. Although the egg weight was significantly lower in Camelina-fed hens, the total egg content of Ig Y was highest in eggs from hens fed Camelina（P 〈 0.05）.Conclusions： The egg n-3 fatty acid and Ig Y enhancing effect of dietary camelina seed warrants further attention into the potential of using camelina as a functional feed ingredient in poultry feeding.

Effects of Different Facilities on Laying Performance,Egg Quality and Air Quality for Layers Under Free Range System

[ Objective] This paper aimed to study the effects of different facilities on laying performance, egg quality and air quality for commercial layers under free range system. [Metbod] The single factorial arrangement was used in the tdal. 2 800 commercial Beijing You Chicken （BYC） at 23 weeks of age were chosen and randomly divided into four groups, three replicates each group, and 210 birds each replicate. The layers lived in loose housing condition with deep litter inside. Group 1 was the control, equipped with standard laying boxes, and flat-type perches; group 2 was e- quipped with common laying boxes, and flat-type perches; group 3 was equipped with common laying boxes, and erect-type perches, and group 4 was equipped with standard laying boxes, and erect-type perches. The laying performance, laying position and egg quality of birds during 24 to 32 weeks of age were recorded and measured, and average NH3, CO~ concentration of each group at 32 weeks of age were measured and detected. [Result] The results showed that laying performance of commercial BYC under loose housing condition were significantly different during 24 -32 weeks of age. The laying rate of the control group equipped with flat-type porches and standard laying boxes （33.25%） was significantly higher than in group equipped with flat-type perches and common laying boxes （21.83%） （P〈0.05）, and other two groups （26.04% and 27.48%） （P 〈0.05）. The ratio of floor eggs was significantly lower in groups with standard laying boxes than in the groups with common laying boxes （P 〈0. 05）, and the laying proportion in the first floor of layer boxes were much higher than those in the second floor （ P 〈 0.05）. There were no significant differences on egg quality among the groups （P〉0.05）. Average NH3, CO2 concentration of group 3 and 4 at 82 weeks of age were both signifi- cantly higher than of group 1 and 2 （P 〈0.05）. [ Conclusion] All of the above indicated that the utilization of facilities could improve layer＇s laying rate, especially with flat-type perches and standard laying boxes, and the indoor air quality was also affected to some extent.

Effects of Dietary Betaine on Production Perform-ance,Egg Quality and Serum Biochemical Indexes of Layers under Heat Stress Condition

[ Objective ] This experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary betaine on peiformance, egg quality and serum biochemical parameters of lay- ing hens under heat stress condition. [ Method] A total of 600 22-week-old commercial Roman laying hens were randomly divided into five groups, with eight repli- cates in each group and 15 hens in each replicate. Group I was taken as the positive control group, and laying hens in group ] were fed with basal diets in anrmal thermal environment. Temperature humidity index of group 1 was between 64.9 and 68.9. Group II was taken as the negative control group, and laying hens in group II were fed with basal diets under heal stress condition. Temperature humidity index of group II was higher than 72. laying hens in groups llI-V were fed with basal diets supplemented with 200,400 and 600 mg/kg betaine under heat stress condition respectively, and temperature humidity indexes in groups III-V were all higher than 72. The experiment lasted for 14 weeks. [ Results ] Results showed that there were no significant differences in average daily feed intake, feed egg ratio and broken egg rate among different test groups （P 〉 0.05 ）. Hen-housed laying rate, hen-housed egg yield, serum total protein （TP） content and serum alkaline phosphatase （AKP） activity in group II were significantly lower than those in group I（ P 〈0.05 ）. However, activities of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase （GOT）, creatine kinase （CK） and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase （GPT） in group II were significantly higher than those in group i （P 〈0.05 ）. Hen-housed laying rate, hen-housed egg yield and serum TP content in group IV were significantly higher than those in group II（ P 〈 0.05 ）. Hen-housed egg yield, serum TP eontent and serum albumin （ALB） content in group V were significantly higher than those in group II（P 〈0.05）. Activities of serum CK and Girl in groups IV and V were significantly lower than those in group II （ P 〈 0.05 ）, serum triglyceride （TG） content in group V was significantly lower than that in group 11 （ P 〈 0.05 ）. [ Conclusion] Metabolism and physiological function of laying hens could be affected by heat stress, and which caused a decline in performance. Adding of dietary betaine in diets could improve hen-housed egg production and hen-housed laying rate, which could also improve the health of laying hens under heat stress condi- tion. The appropriate dietary adding content of betaine was 400 mg/kg.

Effect of Dietary Mulberry Leaves on Productive Performance,Egg Quality and Blood Biochemistry in Laying Hens

[Objective] The aim was to provide more information about the possible use of mulberry leaves in hen diets.[Method] Two hundred ninety two Hyline Gray laying hens, 48 wk old, were randomly allotted into four groups with 73 chickens per group. Each group was fed for 6 wk with diets that contained dried mulberry leaves at 0, 5, 10, or 15%. [ Result] The rate of egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, body weight, blood glucose level, total blood cholesterol, and triglyeride, and cholesterol of egg yolk in the dietary mulberry leaf groups were lower than the 0% mulberry leaves group. Compared with the 0% group, the feed required to produce 1 kg of eggs was 12.8% more in the 15% dietary mul- berry leaf group. Body weight and cholesterol of egg yolk decreased significantly in this group （P 〈0.05）. Blood glucose and triglyerides in the 15% dietary mulberry leaf group were significantly lower than in the 0 and 5% dietary mulberry leaf groups （P 〈0.05）. Yolk color in all treatments was higher than in the 0% group （P 〈0.05）, and Roche pigmentation score increased by 2 -2.9. One -deoxynojirimycin was detected from egg white in all treatments, and its content varied significantly between groups （ P 〈0.05）. E Conclusion] This study reflected the hypoglycemic and lipid -low- ering effects of mulberry leaves on productive performance and egg quality in laying hens. The suggested proportion of dietary mulberry leaves was 5% -10%.

Effects of Cottonseed Meal on Production Performance and Egg Quality of Hisex Laying Hens

[Objective]In order to research on effect of different content of cottonseed meals on production performance and egg quality of Hisex laying hens. [Methods]120 Hisex laying hens of 37 weeks old are chosen,randomly divided into four groups and three repetitions are set in each group,there are 10 hens in each repetition. Group I is the control group,II,III and IV are experimental groups. Cottonseed meal contents are respectively 5%,10% and 15%,with test cycle of 10 weeks,effects of different cottonseed meal dosages on Hisex laying hens production performance and egg quality are observed. [Results]When the diet is added with 5% to 15% of cottonseed meal,the average laying rate,average egg weight and feed-gain ratio all show downward trends when compared with that of the control group,but with no significant difference（ P 〉 0. 05）; eggshell strength,eggshell thickness,Haugh unit,egg shape index all show no significant difference（ P 〉0. 05）,with the increasement of cottonseed meal,the color of egg yolk got brighter,egg yolk color of 15% added group increased by 12%,show a significant difference with that of control group（ P 〈0. 05）. [Conclusion]When the feed was added with 15% cottonseed meals,it has an unconspicuous effect on laying performance and egg quality of Hisex laying hens,but whether it had an effect on animal health and food safety or not,a further systematic research is needed.

A Combination of Wheat Bran and Vegetable Oils as Feedstuff in Laying Hens’Diet:Impact on Egg Quality Parameters

Wheat bran (WB) is an important side product of the milling industry and plays an increasing role in animal feeding. Despite its nutritional value, its application is limited as a result of its pronounced fiber content. Taking into account the potential use of WB supplementation in feed for laying hens thereby replacing human edible foodstuffs, the influence of different WB levels (0 g·kg-1, 75 g·kg-1, and 150 g·kg-1) combined with sunflower or rapeseed oil on egg quality was studied. Among the egg-related quality parameters investigated, eggshell cleanliness, shell rigidity, egg weight, haugh units, yolk and albumen mass, color, pH value, dry matter, crude protein, crude ash, fatty acid spectrum, cholesterol and α-tocopherol of the yolk were monitored. No negative effect of WB supplementation was observed in terms of egg weight, shell weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, haugh unit, shell thickness and eggshell breaking strength. However, certain parameters (i.e. α-tocopherol content, Σn-3 PUFA) were enhanced by feeding 75 g·kg-1 and 150 g·kg-1 WB. The use of WB (75 g·kg-1 and 150 g·kg-1) had no negative effect on egg quality and can, therefore, be recommended for laying hen diets up to 150 g·kg-1. Additionally, the application of rapeseed oil high in Σn-3 PUFA resulted in yolks exhibiting a low Σn-6 PUFA/Σn-3 PUFA ratio.

Effects of Green Forage on Production Performance and Egg Quality of Suyou No.1 Laying Duck

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the effects of green forage on production performance and egg quality of laying ducks. [ Method] According to one- factor randomized complete experimental design, 200 healthy Suyou No. 1 laying ducks aged 200 days were randomly divided into five groups, four repeats each group, and each repeat contained 10 laying ducks. Parts of formulated feed in groups I - IV were replaced with different types and quantities of green forage, and group V was set as control. The trim lasted for 42 d. [ Result] Replacing parts of formulated feed with green forage could improve the production performance of laying ducks （P 〉 0.05 ）, and the economic benefits also increased. For egg quality, Haugh unit was improved （ P 〉 0.05 ） ; yolk color increased significantly ; compared to control group, yolk color was significantly increased in groups with 100 g chicory and 70 g clover （P 〈0.05 ）, and was extremely increased in the group with 100 g clover （P 〈0.01 ）. [ Conclusion] The group with 100 g chicory had the best effect on production performance of laying ducks, and the group with 100 g clover had the best coloring effect on yolk.

Comparison on Egg Quality between Shandong Local Hens and Hyline Brown Hens

[Objective] To observe differences in egg quality between Shandong local hens and Hyline brown hens. [Method] Hyline brown hens and three Shandong local chicken breeds including Jining Bairi chicken, Wenshang Luhua chicken and Laiwu black chicken were selected for egg quality comparison. [ Result] The pementage of yolk, egg-shape index and shell strength were significantly higher in the Shandong local hens than in Hyline brown hens ( P 〈 0.05), but the opposite results were found for average egg size and Haugh unit ( P 〈 0.05). The contents of essential amino acids and linoleic acid were significantly higher in the Shandong local hens than in Hyline brown hens (P 〈 0.05), but no significant differ- ence in VA content, VE content, total amino acid content and fatty acid content was found between the Shandong local hens than in Hyline brown hens. [ Conclustion] The study investigated the effects of chicken breeds on egg quality, which provides a reference for improvement of chicken breeds in future.

Effects of Mango Skin or Mango Skin Combined with Paprika Extracts on Production Performance, Egg Quality and Egg Yolk Polyphenols

The phenc, lic compounds found in mango fruit are antioxidants, and contribute to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Mango carotenoids are synthesized in mango fruit during ripening. A major by-product of mango fruit is the skin, which is available after the fruits is consumed or used, particularly in the preparation of jams and fruit juices by the fruit canning industry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary mango skin （MS） or mango skin combined with paprika extracts （PE） on production performance, egg quality, and egg yolk polyphenols. Total of 60 44-week-old Boris Brown hens was assigned, based on egg production rate and body weight, to 6 groups （10 birds in each group）. The laying hens were fed a basal diet （control group, 18 CP, 2,800 kcal/kg ME）, a basal diet supplemented with 0.1% PE, 1% or 5% MS, or with a mixture of 0.1% PE with 1% or 5% MS respectively. During the three-week experimental feeding period, the birds had free access to feed and water. Feed consumption was measured weekly and egg production was recorded daily. The results for initial body weight, feed consumption, hen-day production, egg mass, mortality, and final body weight did not indicate any effects of the different treatments （P 〉 0.05）. There were no significant differences （P 〉 0.05） in shell-breaking strength, shell thickness, shell ratio, yolk ratio or Haugh units, except in the case of egg yolk color. Roche yolk color fan scores were better in all experimental groups than in the control （P 〈 0.0001）. The yolk color, yellow index, and ratio of redness to yellowness were greater （P 〈 0.0001） in the 0.1% PE, the 0.1% PE ＋ 1% MS, and the 0.1% PE ＋ 5% MS group than in the 1%, 5% MS, and control groups. Compared with the control, lightness was decreased significantly in the 0.1% PE, the 0.1% PE ＋ 1% MS, and the 0.1% PE ＋ 5% MS groups （P 〈 0.05）, whereas redness was increased significantly in the 0.1% PE, 0.1% PE ＋ 1% MS, and 0.1% PE ＋ 5% MS groups （P 〈 0.0001）. No significant differences among the treatments were observed in either yellowness or egg yolk polyphenols. The results of the present experiment indicate that dietary mango skin or mango skin combined with paprika extracts did not show adverse effects on production performance, egg quality or egg yolk polyphenols. Moreover, supplementation with only mango skin did not enhance egg yolk color.

The Effect of Varied Dietary Crude Protein Levels with Balanced Amino Acids on Performance and Egg Quality Characteristics of Layers at First Laying Phase

Four diets were formulated to study the influence of varying crude protein levels on the performance, egg quality, serum and haematological characteristics at the first phase of laying cycle of sixty Bovan Nera laying birds that were randomly allotted to dietary treatments. The four experimental diets had five replicates each and three birds per repli-cate. Diet 1 contained 14% crude protein (CP), while diet 2 contained 15% CP, diets 3 and 4 contained 16% and 17% CP respectively. The experimental birds were fed for 10 weeks and the data collected were statistically analysed. Apparent variations recorded for all the performance characteristics such as Egg number, Hen-day production, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and weight gain were significantly different (p < 0.05). The best FCR value were recorded by birds fed 17% CP (3.45), while the highest weight gain mean value were also recorded by birds fed 17% CP value. Findings indicated a direct relationship between dietary crude protein values and performance.

Comparative Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Fertility and Hatchability of Guinea Fowl with Tilili, Horro and Potchefstroom Koekoek Chicken Breeds

A study was conducted to compare laying performance, fertility, hatchability, and egg quality of guinea fowl (GF) with Horro (HR) and Tilili (TL) local chicken and Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK) exotic chicken. Forty five layers from each genotype and 6 cocks from each chicken genotype and 9 cocks from GF were used in 3 replications in a completely randomized design. Commercial layer feed was used ad libitum for the study that lasted 29 weeks. Daily DM intake per hen was 85, 114, 103 and 137 g (SEM = 3.1) for GF, HR, TL and PK, respectively, and was in the order of GF < TL < HR < PK. Final body weight of hens was highest for PK (2490 g), intermediate for HR (1983 g) and lowest for TL (1671 g) and GF (1641 g). Egg number per production week followed a similar trend like that of DM intake and was 71, 101, 75 and 121 (SEM = 0.5) for GF, HR, TL and PK, respectively. Both fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs for GF were 57%, which were lower than the mean of chicken genotypes by 41% and 34%, respectively. Embryonic mortality was higher for GF (early, middle and late was 15.8%, 10.0%. and 17.4% respectively) compared to chicken genotypes. Chick weight was highest for PK, intermediate for HR and TL and lowest for GF;while chick length was in the order of PK > HR > TL > GF. Average egg weight was higher for PK eggs (46.4 g), intermediate for HR (43.5 g) and TL (42.3 g), and lowest for GF (35.9 g). Eggshell weight and thickness were higher for GF than chicken genotypes. Haugh unit was similar among genotypes. Such differences among poultry genotypes could be reflection of previous selection and breeding interventions, which are apparently more in chicken genotypes than GF. A possible more stressful condition of the confined environment for GF versus chicken genotypes could have also contributed to such differences. This study highlighted the need of implementing future selection and breeding schemes to improve the performance of GF and TL birds to the level achieved by other genotypes.

Effects of Xylooligosaccharide(XOS)and Probiotics(PRO)on Production Performance,Egg Quality and Intestinal Short-chain Fatty Acids of Laying Hens in Late Laying Period

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of xylooligosaccharide(XOS)and probiotics(PRO)and their interaction on the production performance,egg quality and intestinal short-chain fatty acids of laying hens in late laying period.[Method]A total of 36074-week-old Romain brown laying hens were randomly divided into four groups,six replicates each group and 15 chickens each replicate.The trial lasted 63 d.The laying hens in control group(CON)were fed with basal diet,and those in experimental groups were fed with the basal diets adding with 150 mg/kg XOS(XOS group),100 mg/kg probiotics(PRO group),150 mg/kg XOS+100 mg/kg probiotics(XOS-PRO group).[Result]Compared with the control group,the laying rate,daily egg production,yolk ratio,colonic acetic acid and caecal propionic acid in XOS group increased significantly(P<0.05),and the feed gain ratio decreased remarkably(P<0.05).PRO had no significant effect on the production performance and egg quality of laying hens in late laying period(P>0.05),but significantly increased colonic acetic acid(P<0.05).XOS and PRO had no interaction effect on the production performance,egg quality and intestinal short-chain fatty acids of laying hens in late laying period(P<0.05).[Conclusion]Adding XOS to the diet of laying hens in late laying period could increase the content of short-chain fatty acids in the hindgut of laying hens,and effectively improve the production performance and egg quality of laying hens in late laying period.Adding PRO to the diet did not significantly improve the production performance and egg quality of laying hens,and there was no interaction effect between XOS and PRO.

Effect of Different Storage Periods on Egg Quality Traits of Ducks

The present study was conducted in each 20 eggs stored at 65 °F with 75% relative humidity, for a period of 5 weeks （T-I） 4 weeks （T-2）, 3 weeks （T-3）, 2 weeks （T-4） and 1 week （T-5） with broad end up. The external qualities of eggs like egg weight, length, width and volume were measured. After recording the external qualities the eggs were broken on a glass plate for studying the internal qualities. Storage period had no statistically significant effect on egg weight （g）, egg volume （%）, shell thickness （mm）, shell weight （g） and shell percentage. Egg weight values determined in this present study was between 61.10 and 64.91 g. The egg volume （%）, egg shell thickness （mm）, shell weight （g） and shell percentage for different storage periods were 87.46 and 98.52, 0.28 and 0.34 5.29 and 5.98; and 8.16 and 9.44 respectively. Yolk weight （g）, yolk percentage and albumen percentage was significantly affected （P 〈 0.01） by storage period and the values ranging between 32.20 and 36.40, 48.59 and 58.53 and 32.01 and 43.24 respectively. Storage period had no statistically significant effects on egg shape index and specific gravity. The storage periods on yolk index, yolk colour, albumen index and Haugh unit were statistically significant （P 〈 0.01）. Yolk index value decreased significantly when storage period was lengthened. This study concluded that yolk index, yolk colour, albumen index, albumen percentage and Haugh unit were decreased with increase in storage time.

The Research Progress of Nondestructive Testing Technology in the Detection of Egg Quality

[Objective]The aim was to improve the quality of the egg in favour of producers and business operators according to the market demand to take scientific feeding and management.[Methods]This paper discussed the research progress of using machine vision,optical properties,and acoustic resonance technology in the egg quality nondestructive testing. [Results]Egg quality indicators directly affect their edible quality and quality levels. [Conclusion]Egg quality test has practical value and practical significance.

Fermented soybean meal improved laying performance and egg quality of laying hens by modulating cecal microbiota,nutrient digestibility,intestinal health,antioxidant and immunological functions

Antinutritional factors in feedstuffs may limit their utilization in livestock production,but fermentation process can be used to improve feed quality;however,studies on fermented soybeans for laying hens remain limited.We investigated the effect of fermented soybean meal(FSBM)at various inclusion levels as a partial replacement for soybean meal(SBM)on egg production,egg quality,amino acid digestibility,gut morphology and microbiota,antioxidant capacity and immune response of young laying hens.A total of 360 Hy-line Brown laying hens aged 18 weeks were selected and divided into 5 groups of 6 replicates each and 12 birds per replicate.The control group received a basal diet while the trial group received the basal diet with FSBM included at 2.5%,5.0%,7.5%and 10.0%,respectively,for 12 weeks.Our findings revealed that the nutritional value of FSBM was higher compared to that of SBM in terms of reduced content of trypsin inhibitors and increased contents of crude protein,amino acids and minerals.FSBM enhanced egg production(P<0.05),feed-to-egg ratio(P<0.05),and albumen quality(albumen height and Haugh unit)(P<0.05).Furthermore,FSBM improved apparent fecal amino acid digestibility(P<0.05),gut morphology(increased villus height,villus width,villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and decreased crypt depth)(P<0.05),antioxidant capacity(reduced malondialdehyde and increased catalase,total superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity)(P<0.05)and immune function(increased concentrations of IgG,IgA,and IgM;increased levels of transforming growth factor beta and Toll-like receptor 2;and reduced levels of interleukin 1βand tumor necrosis factor alpha)(P<0.05).Further analysis showed that FSBM altered the composition of the gut microbiota favoring beneficial microbes.These findings suggest that probiotic fermentation improved the nutritional value of SBM.The inclusion of FSBM in the diets of laying hens at 2.5%or 5.0%improved amino acid digestibility,gut health,immune function,egg production and egg quality.