Estimation of dietary selenium requirement for Chinese egg-laying ducks

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Chen ◽  
H. X. Zhang ◽  
S. Wang ◽  
D. Ruan ◽  
X. Z. Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Selenite ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Optimal Function ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Gpx Activity

The purpose of this study was to estimate the selenium (Se) requirement of egg-laying ducks based on daily egg production and the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase (Gpx). Five-hundred and forty laying ducks were divided into six treatments, each containing six replicates of 15 ducks. The birds were caged individually and received a Se-deficient basal diet (0.04 mg/kg) or diets supplemented with 0.08, 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, 0.40 mg/kg Se (as sodium selenite) for 6 months. The experiment consisted of two periods: an early-laying period of 2 months and the peak-laying period of 4 months. Egg production and feed intake were recorded daily. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were drawn for determination of Gpx activity in plasma (Gpx3) and in erythrocytes (Gpx1). Hepatic Gpx1 activity and relative expression of Gpx1 mRNA were also determined. Eggs (n = 6) were sampled for quality determination and Se content at the end of the experiment. The activities of plasma Gpx3, erythrocyte Gpx1 and liver Gpx1 increased in a quadratic manner (P < 0.001) with increasing supplemental Se. The mRNA abundance of hepatic Gpx1 increased linearly (P < 0.001) with dietary Se supplementation. Egg shell thickness was significantly reduced in the ducks fed 0.44 mg Se/kg (P < 0.05), indicating that higher dietary Se tends to compromise egg shell quality. Yolk and albumen contents of Se increased linearly (P < 0.0001) with dietary Se supplementation. Using quadratic broken line models, the Se requirement for daily egg production was 0.18 mg/kg for early-laying ducks and 0.24 mg/kg for peak-laying ducks; for optimal function of Gpx (peak-laying ducks), it was 0.37 mg Se/kg.

scholarly journals Dual-Purpose Poultry in Organic Egg Production and Effects on Egg Quality Parameters

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
Marianne Hammershøj ◽  
Gitte Hald Kristiansen ◽  
Sanna Steenfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Genotype A

Egg laying genotypes have been selected for generations due to their high yield and egg quality, resulting in efficient feed utilization and low body weight; hence, they are not suitable for meat production. This imposes an issue for the male layer chicks, which are killed at one day old. Because of ethical and food waste concerns, the search for suitable dual-purpose genotypes in order to avoid euthanasia of male day-old chicks has intensified. The aim of the present study is to evaluate potential dual-purpose genotypes for their egg quality compared to a representative egg laying genotype. Three dual-purpose genotypes with divergent characteristics were evaluated: genotype A represented an experimental crossbreed based on a broiler type male and an egg layer female, genotype B was a pure breed, and genotype C was a crossbreed of a layer type. These were compared to a control genotype D, which was an egg layer. Eggs were collected six times during the period of 21–54 weeks of hen age, i.e., a total of 1080 shell eggs were analyzed. Examined parameters were weights of egg, shell, yolk, and albumen, by calculating their relative proportions. Shell quality was assessed by shell strength, shell stiffness, and shell thickness. Yolk quality was determined as yolk color and inclusions of blood and meat spots, and albumen quality was evaluated in terms of pH and dry matter (DM) content. The egg layer genotype produced the smallest eggs with least blood and meat spot inclusions compared to that produced by the three dual-purpose genotypes. Shell quality was superior for the layer genotype. However, the experimental genotype A laid eggs of comparable shell quality, albumen DM, and yolk weight, but also with the darkest and most red-yellow colored yolk. The two other dual-purpose genotypes produced eggs of low-medium quality. In conclusion, the genotype A could serve as dual-purpose genotype from an egg quality perspective.

Assessing the response of hen weight, body composition, feather score, egg quality, and level of excreta nitrogen content to digestible balanced protein intake of laying hens

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kumar ◽  
C. Raginski ◽  
K. Schwean-Lardner ◽  
H.L. Classen
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
N Content ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Level Of Significance

Ideally balanced dietary protein is critical for laying hen egg production and feed efficiency, but also affects other important characteristics. This research was designed to study the nonegg production and feed intake response of Lohmann-LSL Lite hens to 550, 625, 700, 775, and 850 mg d−1 of amino acid balanced digestible lysine (Dlys) from 27 to 66 wk of age. Data collection included hen weight (HW), feather scoring, tissue weights, egg specific gravity, egg component weights, and excreta nitrogen (N) content. The experiment was a completely randomized design and level of significance was fixed at P ≤ 0.05. Hen weight (quadratic, Q), pectoralis muscle (absolute, % – Q), and abdominal fat (absolute – linear, L; % – Q) increased with increasing Dlys intake. Although gastrointestinal segment weights and lengths were affected by Dlys intake, interpretation of results was confounded by other aspects of diet composition. Hen feather score (L) and excreta N content (Q) increased, and egg shell quality (L) decreased with increasing Dlys intake. Absolute egg component weights increased with Dlys intake, but effects on proportional weights were Q and relatively minor. In conclusion, balanced Dlys intake affected a variety of practical nonproduction characteristics in laying hens.

Eggs, nests, and chicks

2020 ◽  
pp. 73-92
Author(s):  
Graham Scott
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Genetic Determination ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Predator Risk ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
And Function

This chapter considers the egg from its conception, through laying and incubation, to hatching; and chicks. It begins with the genetic determination of sex in birds, the resultant secondary sexual characteristics, and associated reproductive behaviours. The chapter then considers the structure and function of the egg. The evolution of clutch size and the trade-offs related to food availability and predator risk that birds make when optimizing clutch size are discussed. Egg shell colouration, camouflage, and mimicry are explored as are the impacts of urban living and of anthropogenic pollution upon egg shell thickness and strength. Nest building and the function of nests are described and incubation behaviours are discussed. Embryonic development is considered as are hatching and post-hatching behaviours.

Intermittent lighting and dietary sodium bicarbonate supplementation for laying hens at high temperatures

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Balnave ◽  
S. K. Muheereza
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Bicarbonate ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Lighting Regimen

Point-of-lay pullets were housed in 2 temperature-controlled rooms maintained at a constant 32°C with either a conventional 16 h light : 8 h dark (16L : 8D) or an intermittent 3L : 1D lighting regimen. They were fed either a conventional layer diet (12·0 MJ of ME and 199 g crude protein/kg) or this diet supplemented with 1% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Production and egg shell quality measurements were made at 8-week intervals from 22 to 62 weeks of age. All measures were influenced by age. The 3L : 1D regimen significantly increased feed intake (P < 0·001), weight gain (P < 0·01), egg weight (P < 0·001), egg shell breaking strength (P < 0·001), and shell thickness (P < 0·01). Significant age×light interactions were observed for feed intake, egg production, and egg mass. Hens in the 3L : 1D regimen ate significantly (P < 0·001) more food and produced significantly (P < 0·01) greater egg mass to 46 weeks of age. No significant differences were observed after 46 weeks. Although not significant, NaHCO3 consistently improved shell breaking strength. The response was small in the 16L : 8D regimen (3%) compared with the 3L : 1D environment (7%), the latter being additional to the 14% improvement resulting from the use of the 3L : 1D regimen. The results indicate advantages from the use of intermittent lighting and dietary NaHCO3 supplementation at high temperatures.

The influence of calcium and phosphorus in prelayer diets and their interaction with sodium chloride and potassium sulfate in layer diets on egg production and shell quality in crossbred layers

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (110) ◽  
pp. 287
Author(s):  
H Karunajeewa ◽  
M Fox
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Bodyweight Gain ◽  
Potassium Sulfate ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Tibia Ash

In a 43x2 factorial experiment, 576 White Leghorn x Australorp pullets attaining 50% egg production at about 180 days of age were given from 22 to 26 weeks of age pre-layer diets with 10.4 or 25.8 g kg-1 calcium and 6.2 or 10.9 g kg-1 phosphorus. From 26 to 74 weeks of age these pullets were given layer diets with three levels (0, 1.5 and 7.0 g kg-1) of added sodium chloride and two levels (0 and 6.0 g kg-1) of added potassium sulfate. The calcium content of the pre-layer diet had no significant effect on feed intake, bodyweight gain or tibia-ash content between 22 and 26 weeks of age, or on egg production, egg weight, feed conversion efficiency and mortality in the subsequent laying phase. The higher level (25.8 g kg-1) of calcium improved (P<0.05) the shell quality of the first eggs laid and prevented a decline in shell quality due to excess sodium chloride (7.0 g kg-1) in the layer diet. A phosphorus level of 10.9 g kg-1 of the pre-layer diet reduced (P<0.05) feed intake, and in the subsequent laying phase both hen-housed egg production and efficiency of feed conversion were reduced (P<0.05). The adverse effect on feed conversion efficiency was alleviated by adding potassium sulfate to the diet. The level of phosphorus in the pre-layer diet had no significant effect on tibia-ash content or egg shell quality. The dietary level of sodium chloride had no significant effect on egg weight, feed intake and bodyweight gain. The inclusion of sodium chloride at a level of 7.0 g kg-1 diet tended to depress rate of lay by 2.0% and during the first half of the laying cycle, increased mortality by 12.5% (P<0.05) and reduced egg shell weight and thickness (P<0.05) in birds given pre-layer diets with a low calcium content. A daily intake of 137 to 139 mg of sodium per bird was not adequate for maintenance of egg production and efficiency of feed conversion in crossbred layers. The sodium requirement of a crossbred layer given a diet containing meat and bone meal is about 160 mg/day. The adverse effects due to either a low intake of sodium or a high level of sodium chloride in the diet were alleviated by the inclusion of 6.0 g kg-1 potassium sulfate in the diet. The inclusion of potassium sulfate (6.0 g kg-1) in the layer diet increased rate of lay by 2.1% (P<0.05).

scholarly journals Optimal dietary concentrations of vitamin C and chromium picolinate for alleviating the effect of low ambient temperature (6.2 degrees C) on egg production, some egg characteristics, and nutrient digestibility in laying hens

2001 ◽  
Vol 46 (No. 9–10) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sahin ◽  
K. Sahin
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Chromium Picolinate ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Haugh Unit ◽  
Low Ambient Temperature

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) on egg production, some egg characteristics, and digestibility of nutrients in laying hens (Hy-Line) reared under a low ambient temperature (6.2&deg;C). Two hundred and ten laying hens (32 week-old) were divided into seven groups, 30&nbsp;hens per group. The treatment groups were designed in a 2 &times; 3 factorial arrangement using two levels of vitamin C (125 and 250 mg/kg of diet) and three levels of chromium picolinate (200, 400, or 800 &micro;g/kg of diet), and control group was fed basal diet. The highest values of performance were obtained if 250 mg/kg vitamin C was supplemented with either 400 or 800 &micro;g Cr per kg of diet. An interaction between vitamin C and chromium for egg production (P&nbsp;= 0.05) and feed efficiency (P&nbsp;= 0.02) was detected. Similarly, egg weight, specific gravity, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and Haugh unit improved with diet containing 250 mg vitamin C and either 400 or 800 &micro;g Cr per kg of diet (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05). Digestibility of dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE) were higher with higher dietary vitamin C (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05) and also with higher Cr (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05). There were no interactions between vitamin C and chromium detected for any parameters measured for egg quality in terms of egg weight, specific gravidity, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and Haugh unit and digestibility of nutrients (P&nbsp;&sup3; 0.28). Data obtained in the present study shows that a combination of 250 mg vitamin C and 400 &micro;g chromium per kg of diet gave the best results in laying hens reared under a low ambient temperature and a conclusion is suggested that such a diet can be considered as a protective management practice in poultry to alleviate, at least in part, the depressive effect of cold stress on poultry performance.

scholarly journals A COMPARISON OF THE PERFORMANCE OF CAGED LAYERS FED SORGIIUM GRAIN OR PEARL MILLET*

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 127-133
Author(s):  
J. Y. ODIBA ◽  
P. E. SANFORD
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Sorghum Grain ◽  
Haugh Unit

Two 280-day trials, each involving 468, 22-week-old caged commercial egg-strain pullets were conducted to Compare millet and sorghum grain as the main source of energy in laying diets. Diets containing 59.2 and 0, 41.0 and 24.0, 31.2 and 36.3 and 0 and 72.5% of sorghum grain and pearl millet, respectively, were studied in both trials The diets containing millet supported egg production, egg weight, feed conversion and egg shell thickness equivalent to those of the all-sorghum diet. Except in Trial 1, feed consumption of the pullets fed the millet-containing   diets was not significantly lower than that of the pullets fed the all-sorghum diet. Haugh unit values tended to decrease as the level of millet was decreased. Feeding millet at a level as high as 72.5% Of the diet may have adverse effects on egg specific gravity and haugh units

scholarly journals The Relationships Between Egg Production, Age and The Hatching Traits of Pheasants

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 1311
Author(s):  
Ahmet Uçar ◽  
Musa Sarıca
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Embryonic Mortality ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Breeding Station ◽  
Game Birds ◽  
Significant Performance ◽  
Production Period

Pheasant rearing is rated in three main categories: show and hobby, public interest, and stocking for game birds and edible purposes. The goal of this pheasant breeding station is to put stocking for game birds in their natural habitat, mainly in the Karadeniz region. Contribution to the issues related to incubation in this station and determination of effective reproduction age by setting production period. The aim of this study is to determine how significant performance criteria like egg production, fertility, hatchability and embryonic mortality are, depending on age and on seasonal changes. Our research has been carried out at the Gelemen Pheasant Breeding Station in Samsun. The pheasant breeds that are used on the farm are made up of 114 male and 800 female pheasants (1♂:7♀), of Hungarian and Caucasian genotypes. During the egg-laying period, which lasts for 16 weeks from the end of March (at the age of 45 weeks) to the middle of July (at the age of 60 weeks), egg production was recorded daily and evaluated once a week, and incubation yield was recorded nine times in total. Differences between weeks of age, in terms of egg production, egg and chick weights, fertility rate, incubation yield and embryonic mortality, have been found to be statistically significant. However, hatchability has been found to be statistically insignificant.

scholarly journals The Response of Layer Hen Productivity and Egg Quality to an Additional Limestone Source when Offered Diets Differing in Calcium Concentrations and the Inclusion of Phytase

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2991
Author(s):  
Isabelle Ruhnke ◽  
Yeasmin Akter ◽  
Terence Zimazile Sibanda ◽  
Aaron J. Cowieson ◽  
Stuart Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
The Impact

Laying hens require substantial quantities of calcium (Ca) to maintain egg production. However, maintaining recommended dietary Ca through inclusion of limestone may impede nutrient digestibility, including that of other minerals. It was hypothesized that providing a separate source of dietary Ca in the form of limestone grit would preserve Ca intake of hens offered diets containing suboptimal Ca concentrations. Furthermore, the impact of dietary phytase at a “superdosing” inclusion rate on the voluntary consumption of limestone grit was evaluated. One hundred and forty-four laying hens (19 weeks of age) were assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement comprising three dietary Ca concentrations (40, 30, and 20 g/kg) and ±dietary phytase (3500 FYT/kg diet) on an ad libitum basis for six weeks. Limestone grit (3.4 ± 1.0 mm) was provided to all hens ad libitum. Hens offered diets containing phytase consumed significantly less limestone grit p = 0.024). Egg weight, rate of lay, and egg mass were unaffected by dietary treatment (p > 0.05). Egg shell weight % (p < 0.001), shell thickness (p < 0.001), and shell breaking strength (p < 0.01) decreased in line with dietary Ca levels. In summary, dietary superdosing with phytase reduced the consumption of a separate limestone source in individually housed, early lay ISA Brown hens. Egg shell quality variables but not egg production worsened in line with lower dietary Ca levels.

scholarly journals The response of laying hens fed fermented pineapple peel waste by indigenous microorganism from bamboo sprout

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heryandi YAN ◽  
Yanti Putri NOVA ◽  
Adrizal ADRIZAL ◽  
Endo Mahata MARIA
Keyword(s):  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Indigenous Microorganism ◽  
Pineapple Peel ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Haugh Unit

ABSTRACT The bromelain enzyme content in pineapple peel waste predicted to promote digestive tract health and a positive effect on egg quality. This research aimed to evaluate the use of fermented pineapple peel waste in laying hens diet on egg quality. A total of laying hens 200 birds with Isa Brown strain, egg production of 70%, The average egg weight and body weight were 58.58 g/egg, and 1.62 g/bird, respectively. A completely randomized design was used, 5 different levels of fermented pineapple peel waste as treatment (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%), and all treatments were repeated 4 times. Egg shell thickness, egg shell strength, haugh unit, egg yolk fat, and egg yolk color were measured. The use of fermented pineapple peel waste in the diet of laying hens up to 20% highly significant (P<0.01) on egg yolk color, and did not negative effect (P>0.05) on egg shell thickness, egg shell strength, haugh unit, and egg yolk fat. Fermented pineapple peel waste can be used as much as 20% in laying hens diet without disturbing egg quality and improve egg yolk color.

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