scholarly journals Effect of housing system on the calcium requirement of laying hens and on eggshell quality

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lichovníková ◽  
L. Zeman
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Intake ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Eggshell Thickness ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Calcium Requirement ◽  
Floor System

The effects of housing systems on the calcium requirement for eggshell production, eggshell quality and on the breaking strength of the hen’s tibia were evaluated. Unenriched cages (UN) (24 laying hens), enriched cages (EN) (16 laying hens) and floor system (FS) (24 laying hens) were used in this experiment. The eggshell production of laying hens from 19 to 66 weeks of age was higher (<I>P</I> < 0.01) in the cage systems (UN 39.6 g/hen/week and EN 39.2 g/hen/week) than it was in FS (35.0 g/hen/week). Consequently, the amount of calcium deposited in the eggshells (g/hen/week) was higher (<I>P</I> < 0.01) in the cage systems (14.2 and 14.0 g/hen/week) than in FS (12.6 g/hen/week). Despite of the same calcium intake of the hens housed in EN and FS the eggshell thickness (0.39 and 0.38 mm, respectively) and eggshell strength (38.04 and 36.43 N respect.) were higher (<I>P</I> < 0.01 and <I>P</I> < 0.001 respectively) in EN. The tibia breaking strength was higher (<I>P</I> < 0.05) in FS (156.6 N) in comparison with UN (92.7 N). The rate of calcium intake deposited in the eggshells was higher in the cage systems than in FS, namely by 1.7 to 8.9% depending on the age of laying hens. When determining the correct calcium requirements in the diets of laying hens, the housing system should be taken into account.

scholarly journals Eggshell characteristics and cuticle deposition in three laying hen genotypes housed in enriched cages and on litter

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ketta ◽  
E. Tumova
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Eggshell Thickness ◽  
System Effect ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
System P

The objective of the present study was to compare the eggshell characteristics and cuticle deposition of Lohmann Brown, Hy-Line Silver Brown, and Isa Brown layers kept in two different housing systems. The three laying hen genotypes were housed in enriched cages (100 hens, 750 cm<sup>2</sup>/hen, 10 hens/cage) and in littered pens (100 hens, 9 hens/m<sup>2</sup>, 10 hens/pen). The experiment was carried out in weeks 40–56 of hens age. Non-significant interactions of genotype and housing system for eggshell quality parameters and cuticle deposition were detected in this study. Egg weight was significantly affected by genotype (P ≤ 0.001) and housing system (P ≤ 0.043). The heaviest eggs were laid by Lohmann Brown, while the lightest eggs were produced by Hy-Line Silver Brown. Eggshell strength was not affected by genotype and housing system, however, genotype had a significant effect on eggshell thickness (P ≤ 0.033). Isa Brown eggs had thicker eggshells compared to Lohmann Brown and Hy-Line Silver Brown. However, a non-significant effect of housing system on eggshell thickness was observed. Eggshell percentage was significantly affected by both genotype and housing system. Genotype of laying hens had a significant effect on cuticle deposition; significantly higher cuticle deposition was observed in Lohmann Brown eggs (P ≤ 0.001). It could be concluded that genotype had a significant effect on eggshell quality parameters and cuticle deposition. However, the housing system effect was less important in these characteristics.

scholarly journals Combined Effect of Genotype, Housing System, and Calcium on Performance and Eggshell Quality of Laying Hens

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2120
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ketta ◽  
Eva Tůmová ◽  
Michaela Englmaierová ◽  
Darina Chodová
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Individual Factor ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Factor Effect ◽  
Quality Response ◽  
Floor System

The objective of this study was to evaluate hen performance and eggshell quality response to genotype, housing system, and feed calcium (Ca) level. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted on 360 laying hens of ISA Brown, Bovans Brown (commercial hybrids), and Moravia BSL (traditional Czech hybrid). Laying hens were kept in enriched cages and on littered floor and fed similar feed mixtures with different Ca content (3.00% vs. 3.50%). In terms of hen performance, ISA Brown had the highest egg production (84.2%) compared to Moravia BSL (74.3%) and Bovans Brown (71.4%). Regarding eggshell quality, Bovans Brown showed the highest values of all eggshell quality parameters. Increasing feed Ca level augmented egg production (p ≤ 0.001) but had no effect on other performance parameters. Except eggshell thickness, all eggshell quality parameters were affected by the three-way interaction of genotype, housing, and Ca. Bovans Brown, which had the strongest eggshells (5089 g/cm2) when housed on a littered floor system and fed 3.00% Ca, while Moravia BSL housed on a littered floor had the weakest eggshells (4236 g/cm2) at 3.50% Ca. The study pointed out the importance of the interactions between studied factors on performance and eggshell quality compared to an individual factor effect.

scholarly journals Effect of housing system and age of laying hens on eggshell quality, microbial contamination, and penetration of microorganisms into eggs

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Vlčková ◽  
E. Tůmová ◽  
M. Ketta ◽  
M. Englmaierová ◽  
D. Chodová
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Storage Time ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Number Of Microorganisms ◽  
And Storage

Hens of the laying hybrid ISA Brown were used in the study with the objective to evaluate eggshell quality, microbial contamination of eggshells, and penetration of microorganisms into the egg content in different housing systems (enriched cage: 60 hens, 10 hens per cage, 750 cm<sup>2 </sup>per hen vs free range: 60 hens, 9 hens per m<sup>2</sup>) and at different hen ages (26 vs 51 weeks) during storage time (0, 2, 7, 14, and 21 days). A significant interaction between the housing system and age was observed in egg weight and most of eggshell quality measurements. However, microbial contamination and penetration were affected mostly by the housing system and storage time. The numbers of Escherichia coli (P &lt; 0.001, 4.51 vs 2.75 log cfu/eggshell) and Enterococcus (P &lt; 0.001, 2.56 vs 1.11 log cfu/eggshell), and the total number of microorganisms (P &lt; 0.001, 5.04 vs. 3.65 log cfu/eggshell) were higher in free range eggs compared to enriched cage eggs, respectively. The counts of Escherichia coli (P &lt; 0.001, 4.23 vs 2.91 log cfu/eggshell) and Enterococcus (P &lt; 0.001, 2.31 vs 1.27 log cfu/eggshell) decreased with storage time. A positive correlation between the total number of pores and penetration of Escherichia coli in both housing systems was observed in the albumen. It can be concluded that the housing system and age of laying hens significantly affected eggshell quality. Microbial contamination presumably affects the penetration of microorganisms. The correlation between the number of pores and penetration is assumed to be affected by the microbial species.

scholarly journals Effect of time of oviposition on egg quality characteristics in cages and in a litter housing system

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 129-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tůmová ◽  
T. Ebeid
Keyword(s):  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Cage System ◽  
Eggshell Quality

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of the time of oviposition on egg quality characteristics in two different housing systems (cages vs. litter). ISA brown hens from 20 to 64 weeks of age were housed in battery cages (550 cm<sup>2</sup>/hen, 19 526 laying hens in the house) and on deep litter (7 hen/m<sup>2</sup>, 4 652 laying hens in the house). In both houses, eggs were collected daily at three oviposition times 06:00, 10:00 and 14:00 h. Every four weeks, 90 eggs for each house (30 eggs for each oviposition time) were used for egg quality assessment. The results indicated that in cages the highest percentages (P &le; 0.001) of normal (74.47%), non-standard (0.85%) and cracked (1.80%) eggs were laid in the early morning (06:00 h). On deep litter, however, the highest percentages (P &le; 0.05) of normal sound eggs were produced at10:00 h (35.43%) and at14:00 h (33.03%). In the cage system, the heaviest eggs (63.01 g) were laid in the early morning (06:00 h) and the highest shell percentage (10.33%) was in eggs laid in the afternoon and also at 10:00 h (10.31%). On the other hand, in the litter housing system, the time of oviposition had no significant effect on egg weight and eggshell quality characteristics except for shell thickness. Morning eggs had greater shell thickness (0.398 mm) than afternoon eggs (0.390 mm). In cages and on litter, statistically significant differences in albumen height, albumen index and Haugh Units were observed between early morning eggs and afternoon eggs and data showed a pattern of relatively higher albumen quality for eggs collected in the afternoon in both systems. &nbsp;

scholarly journals Interaction between housing system and genotype in relation to internal and external egg quality parameters

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 490-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tůmová ◽  
M. Englmaierová ◽  
Z. Ledvinka ◽  
V. Charvátová
Keyword(s):  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Eggshell Thickness ◽  
Pore Density ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Eggshell Quality

The effect of three housing systems (conventional cages, enriched cages and litter) on egg quality parameters was evaluated in two experiments with four brown laying strains ISA Brown, Hisex Brown, Bovans Brown and Moravia BSL. During 40 weeks of lay the total number of 7200 eggs was produced and analysed for egg weight, egg component weight and eggshell quality indicators. In 60 eggs, pore density in the small-end, large-end and equatorial areas was determined. Significant interactions between genotype and housing were found out in egg weight (P &le; 0.001), yolk and albumen weight (P &le; 0.001) and yolk colour (P &le; 0.001). Haugh units were the highest in eggs laid in cages and the lowest in the ISA Brown strain. Eggshell quality indicators were affected more by genotype than by housing. The interaction between genotype and housing was not significant for eggshell thickness but it was significant for eggshell weight and strength. Although eggshell thickness was lower in eggs produced in cages, eggshell strength was higher. A significant negative correlation was found out between pore density and housing system. Results of the study suggest that the ability of a strain to produce eggs of high quality in a particular housing system should be considered, even within brown strains.

scholarly journals Blood Plasma Mineral Profile and Qualitative Indicators of the Eggshell in Laying Hens in Different Housing Systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleš Pavlík ◽  
Martina Lichovníková ◽  
Pavel Jelínek
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Cage System ◽  
Mineral Profile ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Mineral Concentrations

The aim of this study was to compare the blood plasma mineral profile (Ca, P, K, Mg, Zn, Cu and Se) and egg-shell quality (eggshell weight, eggshell breaking strength and thickness) of laying hens housed in three different housing systems (traditional cage system, enriched cage system and deep litter system). In each housing system, 12 ISA Brown laying hens were observed during the laying period from week 22 to 75 of age. The effect (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) of age and/or phase of the laying cycle on all mineral concentrations was determined. Eggshell breaking strength decreased (p < 0.001) with the age of birds. The results of this study indicate that the housing systems compared had no significant effect on the blood plasma mineral profile of laying hens under study and the values were within the physiological range. However, a significant effect of housing system on eggshell breaking strength and eggshell weight was found. Improved eggshell quality was obtained in most periods of the laying cycle in the enriched cage systems.

scholarly journals Effect of selected feed additives on egg performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed a diet with standard or decreased calcium content

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylwester Świątkiewicz ◽  
Anna Arczewska-Włosek ◽  
Józefa Krawczyk ◽  
Witold Szczurek ◽  
Michał Puchała ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Cholesterol Concentration ◽  
Eggshell Thickness ◽  
Performance Indices ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Herb Extracts

Abstract The aim of the experiment with 240 ISA Brown hens fed the diets with standard or decreased Ca level was to evaluate the effect of selected feed additives on laying performance and eggshell quality. The hens were allocated to 10 treatments, each containing 12 cages (replicates) of 2 birds. A 2 × 5 experimental arrangement was used. From 26 to 70 wks of age, experimental diets containing 3.20 or 3.70% Ca were used. The diets were either not supplemented, or supplemented with sodium butyrate, probiotic bacteria, herb extracts blend or chitosan. The decreased dietary Ca reduced eggshell quality indices in older hens (43-69 wks) (P<0.05) without effect on performance indices. The addition of the probiotic, herb extracts, or chitosan increased the laying rate (P<0.05). In older hens, i.e. at 69 wk, chitosan increased eggshell thickness and breaking strength, while herb extracts increased eggshell thickness (P<0.05). There was no interaction between the experimental factors in performance and eggshell quality. The used feed additives had no influence on fatty acid profile of egg lipids, however diet supplementation with chitosan decreased cholesterol concentration in egg yolk lipids (P<0.05). It can be concluded that such feed additives as probiotic, herb extracts, or chitosan may positively affect performance and eggshell quality, irrespective of Ca dietary level.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Type of Alternative Housing System, Genotype and Age of Laying Hens on Egg Quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 541-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Sokołowicz ◽  
Józefa Krawczyk ◽  
Magdalena Dykiel
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Color Intensity ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Blood Spots ◽  
Alternative Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
System Type ◽  
Eggshell Color

Abstract The present study investigated the effect of the type of alternative housing system, and genotype and age of laying hens on physical traits of egg shell and contents. It was demonstrated that alternative housing system type influenced egg weight and shape, and eggshell color and yolk color intensity. Eggs from free-range system were heavier and were characterized by more intense yolk color. No effect of alternative housing system type on albumen height, value of Haugh units (HU value) and presence of meat and blood spots was noted. Hen genotype had a significant effect on egg weight and eggshell color intensity in each of the alternative housing systems tested in this study. Hy-line Brown hens laid heavier eggs than hens of native breeds. Genotype was also observed to affect egg content traits (albumen height, HU values and presence of meat and blood spots). Independently of the type of alternative housing system, most blood and meat spots were noted in eggs of hens laying brown-shelled eggs, i.e. R-11 and Hy-line Brown layers. Laying hen age significantly impacted on egg weight, yolk percentage, eggshell traits (color intensity, weight, thickness and strength) and egg content traits (HU value, yolk weight and color intensity, presence of meat and blood spots). Older hens laid heavier eggs with a greater yolk percentage but with thinner eggshell.

scholarly journals Effects of phytase B on laying performance, eggshell quality and on phosphorus and calcium balance in laying hens fed phosphorus-deficient maize-soybean meal diets

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 406-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Żyła ◽  
M. Mika ◽  
S. Świątkiewicz ◽  
J. Koreleski ◽  
J. Piironen
Keyword(s):  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Calcium Level ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Calcium Balance ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Laying Performance

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of phytase B (product of the Aspergillus niger phyB gene expressed in Trichoderma reesei) on feed intake, laying performance, eggshell quality, and on phosphorus and calcium balance in laying hens. Seventy-two, 40 weeks old Hy Line Brown hens were fed for 14 weeks the following four phosphorus-deficient (0.12% nonphytate phosphorus, NPP), maize-soybean meal-based diets: (1) calcium-deficient (2.8% Ca) control diet; (2) diet 1 + phytase B at the activity of 2.5&nbsp;acid phosphatase units (AcPU/kg); (3) control diet (3.8% Ca); (4) diet 3 + phytase B at the activity of 2.5 AcPU/ kg. Each dietary treatment was fed to 18 cages of hens, 1 hen/cage kept in individual cages. Hens fed the NPP- and Ca-deficient diets consumed more feed (P &lt; 0.01) and excreted less calcium (P &lt; 0.01) than those receiving P-deficient diets with the standard calcium level. There were no effects of calcium level on feed utilization, egg mass, egg weight, and eggshell breaking strength. Egg production, although numerically higher in hens fed low Ca diets with no enzyme added, failed to be significantly different due to the low number of hens investigated and therefore the measurement should be considered as preliminary and supplementary. Phytase B increased mean egg weight by about 7% in layers fed the NPP- and Ca-deficient diet (Ca &times; phytase B interaction, P &lt; 0.05), increased shell breaking strength, particularly at the standard calcium level, significantly enhanced amounts of calcium retained by layers and amounts of&nbsp; phosphorus retained by hens fed the Ca-deficient diets. Additionally, phytase B improved Ca retention at both dietary Ca levels and phosphorus retention in hens fed the Ca-deficient diets. Results of the study indicate that the efficacy of phytase B in NPP-deficient diets is strongly influenced by the dietary calcium level and the enzyme may modulate egg weight, eggshell quality, phosphorus and calcium retention in laying hens fed low-NPP, maize-soybean meal-based diets.

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