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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Effects of Desmodium uncinatum Leaf Meal in the Diet on Lohmann Brown Hens’ Laying Performance and Eggs Quality

A cheap, safe and available alternative protein source to soybean is a huge priority for the developing world. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Desmodium uncinatum leaf meal incorporation levels in the diet on Lohmann Brown hens’ laying performances. For this purpose, 60 Lohmann Brown hens aged 33 weeks with an average weight of 1.78 kg were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups of 20 birds each with 4 replicates. The experimental treatments consisted of DULM 0, DULM5, and DULM10 containing 0, 5 and 10 kg of D. uncinatum leaf meal (DULM) per 100 kg of feed respectively. The results reveal that except for the weights of hens, laying performances were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by DULM in the diet. Daily feed intake was lower with 10% incorporation of DULM in the diet as compared to a diet with 5% DULM which recorded the highest value for this parameter. Moreover, the highest value for the egg weight, egg mass, yolk index, albumen index and egg production were recorded with diet DULM5. On the other hand, the diet with 10% of DULM (DULM10) recorded the highest relative shell weight, feed conversion ratio and egg price. Nevertheless, the mortality rate found in this study was 0% for all treatments confirming the good quality of DULM as protein feedstuff for layer. It was concluded that incorporation levels of D. uncinatum leaves at 5% in the diet improved the laying performances of Lohmann Brown hens.

Effects of essential oils on performance,egg quality, nutrient digestibility and yolk fatty acid profile in laying hens

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of essential oils on performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility and yolk fatty acid profile in laying hens. A total of 960 Lohmann laying hens aged 53 weeks were enrolled, under 4 different treatment diets supplemented with 0, 50.100 and 150 mg/kg essential oils(Enviva EO, Dupont Nutrition Biosciences ApS, Denmark), respectively. Each treatment was replicated8 times with 30 birds each. Birds were fed dietary treatment diets for 12 weeks(54 to 65 weeks). For data recording and analysis, a 12-week period was divided into 3 periods of 4 weeks' duration each: period 1(54 to 57 weeks), period 2(58 to 61 weeks), and period 3(62 to 65 weeks). For the diet supplemented with Enviva EO, hen-day egg production and the feed conversion ratio(FCR) were significantly improved(P < 0.05) at weeks 58 to 61, and the eggshell thickness was significantly increased(P < 0.05) at week 65.However, egg production, egg weight, feed intake, FCR and other egg quality parameters(albumen height, Haugh unit, egg yolk color and eggshell strength) were not affected by the dietary treatment. In addition, compared with the control diet, protein digestibility in the 100 mg/kg Enviva EO treatment group was significantly increased(P < 0.05), and fat digestibility in the 100 and 150 mg/kg Enviva EO treatment groups was significantly decreased(P < 0.05), but Enviva EO had no effect on energy apparent digestibility. Saturated fatty acid(SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid(MUFA) gradually decreased and polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA) increased with Enviva EO supplementation, but the difference was not significant. The data suggested that the supplementation of essential oils(Enviva EO) in laying hen diet did not show a significant positive effect on performance and yolk fatty acid composition but it tended to increase eggshell thickness and protein digestibility, especially at the dose of 50 mg/kg.

Effects of metabolizable energy and crude protein levels on laying performance,egg quality and serum biochemical indices of Fengda-1 layers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary ME and CP levels on laying performance, egg quality and serum biochemical indices of Fengda-1 layers. In a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, 2,400 Fengda-1 layers(32 wk of age) were randomly assigned to 6 experimental diets with 2,650 and 2,750 kcal of ME/kg of diet, each containing 14.50%, 15.00% and 15.50% CP, respectively. Each dietary treatment was replicated 5 times, and feed and water were provided ad libitum. The trial lasted for 10 wk, including a2-week acclimation period and an 8-week experimental period. Our results showed that ADFI decreased as the ME level of diet increased from 2,650 to 2,750 kcal/kg(P< 0.05). Layers fed diets with 2,750 kcal/kg ME exhibited higher mortality than those fed with 2,650 kcal/kg ME(P < 0.05). Birds fed with 14.50% and15.00% CP had higher egg production(EP) and egg mass(EM) than those fed with 15.50% CP(P < 0.05).Yolk color increased as the ME level of the diet increased from 2,650 to 2,750 kcal/kg, however, the eggshell thickness decreased(P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of uric acid and triglyceride in layers fed diets with 2,750 kcal/kg ME were higher than those fed diets with 2,650 kcal/kg ME(P < 0.05). There was no significant interaction between ME and CP on laying performance, egg quality, or serum biochemical indices(P > 0.05). Based on the data under the experimental conditions, the optimal dietary ME and CP levels of Fengda-1 layers are 2,650 kcal/kg and 15.00%(33 to 41 wk of age).

Dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharide level and xylanase supplementation influence performance,egg quality and nutrient utilization in laying hens fed wheat-based diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharide(sNSP)content and xylanase supplementation on production performance,egg quality parameters,and nutrient di-gestibility in Hy-line Brown layers from 25 to 32 wk of age.A total of 144 Hy-line Brown laying hens(25 wk of age)were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 wheat-based dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial experimental design,with 36 replicates of individual hens per treatment.The diets were formulated to contain either a high or low sNSP level(at 13.3 or 10.8 g/kg)and were supplemented with either 0 or 12,000 BXU/kg exogenous xylanase.Birds were fed these treatment diets for an 8-wk period,and hen production perfor-mance,including daily egg production,average egg weight,daily egg mass,feed conversion ratio and pro-portion of dirty and abnormal eggs were measured at bird age 25 to 28 wk and 29 to 32 wk.An interaction between sNSP content of the diet and xylanase supplementation was observed on daily egg production from 25 to 28 wk of age(P-0.018);birds fed the high sNSP diet without xylanase had lower egg production than those fed any other treatment.An interaction between the 2 dietary factors was also observed on hen weight gain at 29 to 32 wk of age(P=0.014),with birds fed the low sNSP diet with 12,000 BXU/kg xylanase presenting greater weight gain compared to those fed the high sNSP diet with 12,000 BXU/kg xylanase.Feed intake at 29 to 32 wk of age was reduced by xylanase supplementation(P=0.047).Xylanase supplemen-tation also increased yolk colour score at both 28 and 32 wk of age,and decreased yolk weight at 32 wk of age(P-0.014,0.037 and 0.013,respectively).Birds fed the low sNSP diet presented lower protein digestibility(P-0.024)than those fed the high sNSP diet.Additionally,birds fed high sNSP presented higher shell reflectivity at both 28 and 32 wk of age(P-0.05 and 0.036,respectively).The influence of duration of feeding the treatment diets on egg quality was also determined.It was observed that egg weight,yolk weight and yolk colour score consistently increased over time,regardless of experimental treatment effects.In contrast,Haugh Unit and albumen height significantly decreased throughout the study period in all treatments,although this was less pronounced in hens fed the treatment with high sNSP and no supplemental xylanase.A reduction in shell breaking strength over time was observed only in hens fed the treatments without xylanase addition,and shell thickness was improved over time only in birds fed the low sNSP diet with xylanase.The impacts of the dietary treatments were largely inconsistent in this study,so a solid conclusion cannot be drawn.However,these findings do indicate that dietary NSP level influences layer production performance,and thus should be considered when formulating laying hen diets.It also proved that further research is warranted into how to optimize the benefits of xylanase application in laying hens.

Effect of full-fat sunflower or flaxseed seeds dietary inclusion on performance,egg yolk fatty acid profile and egg quality in laying hens

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of full-fat flaxseed of full-fat sunflower seeds on performance parameters,egg quality parameters and egg yolk fatty acid profile in laying hens.A total of 150 Babcock Brown hens at 27 weeks of age were distributed in 3 experimental treatments,as follows:T1,control;T2,diet containing 13.5% full-fat whole flaxseed seeds;and T3,diet containing 13.5% full-fat ground sunflower seeds.Feed and water were provided ad libitum and the experiment lasted for 8 weeks.No significant differences were found on egg quality parameters,but total egg production and rate of lay were significantly(P <0.05) lower in the group receiving sunflower seeds compared with the control,and significant differences(P <0.05) in egg yolk saturated,monounsaturated,polyunsaturated,omega-6(n-6) and omega-3(n-3) fatty acids were observed,as well as in the n-6:n-3 ratio.The results show that the dietary inclusion of 13.5% flaxseed full-fat seeds significantly increases the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA) content in the eggs and lowers the n-6:n-3 ratio without affecting performance parameters.Inclusion of full-fat sunflower seeds increases the n-6 PUFA content but affects total egg production and rate of lay.Further studies are needed to determine the level of inclusion of full-fat sunflower seeds that does not affect performance.

Effect of dietary inclusion of sugar syrup on production performance,egg quality and blood biochemical parameters in laying hens

The effects of dietary inclusion of sugar syrup on quality of egg,cholesterol level,production performance,serum total protein and blood biochemical parameters were evaluated in laying hens.A total of300 commercial Lohmann LSL hens(30 weeks of age) were randomly distributed into 3 dietary treatments which consisted of a normal corn diet containing cornesoy and 2 diets containing 5% and 10%sugar syrup.Each treatment was replicated 5 times(n=20).Egg production,feed intake,body weight and egg weight of laying hens fed different diets were recorded.The experiment lasted for 20 weeks.The Haugh unit scores of hens fed diets with sugar syrup were significantly increased(P < 0.05) compared with the control treatment.The sugar syrup had no significant effect on liver enzymes,total protein,blood glucose and creatinine in all treatments.The eggs laid by hens fed sugar syrup diets had lower cholesterol level(P < 0.05) compared with those laid by hens fed the control diet.Electrophoresis analysis showed that comparable electrophoretic patterns were noticed between serum proteins of treatment groups.From the results,it can be concluded that sugar syrup diets and corn diets have similar effects on feed intake,body weight,production of eggs and blood biochemical parameters in layer hens,which suggests sugar syrup can be used as an energy source for replacing part of corn in poultry layer diets.

Sensory Characteristics, Nutritional Composition, and Quality of Eggs from Different Chickens

The present study evaluated the sensory, composition, and quality of eggs from Cosmopolitan (C), Improved Horro (H), ♂ Improved Horro * Cosmopolitan ♀ (HC), ♂ Cosmopolitan * Improved Horro ♀ (CH), Indigenous(L), and Koekoek (KK) genotypes. A completely randomized design was used in the study. A total of 108 (18/genotype), 180 (30/genotype), and 90 (15/genotype) eggs were used for the sensory, composition, and egg quality tests, respectively. All data were analyzed following the GLM model using SAS software. The boiled and scrambled eggs from L, H, and C were (P ≤ 0.001) preferred followed by CH, HC, and KK. Results showed that KK, HC, CH, and C eggs were higher in moisture, crude fat, crude ash, and crude fiber, but these traits were found lower in H and L genotypes. A significantly highest crude protein was observed in L (21.19 ± 0.19) genotype, with higher in H (20.62 ± 0.26), intermediate in HC (19.96 ± 0.29), C (19.85 ± 0.10), and CH (19.40 ± 0.37), whereas the eggs from KK genotype had the lowest crude protein content (18.69 ± 0.20). The egg quality was (P = 0.001 - 0.01) affected across traits except for eggshell indices (P > 0.05). The genotypes with a negative significant correlation with crude protein had a positive significant correlation with almost all composition and egg external quality traits. The genotypes with positive significant correlations of egg weight had positive significant correlations with most internal egg quality traits except that of yolk weight ratio, yolk albumen ratio, and yolk color. Conclusively: the eggs of L, H, and C genotypes were best favored followed by CH and C, but the KK genotype was the least favored, and these differences were deemed due to genetic variations, and interventions. Furthermore, the eggs laid from genotypes with deep yellow yolk color might be the most nutritious. It could also necessitate future breeding and dietary studies.