scholarly journals Postmolt Performance of Laying Hens Molted by High Dietary Zinc, Low Dietary Sodium, and Fasting: Egg Production and Eggshell Quality

1987 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.D. BERRY ◽  
J. BRAKE
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Dietary Zinc ◽  
Eggshell Quality

scholarly journals Prolonged Dark Time Within A 24-h Light Regime Improves Eggshell Quality by Enhancing Calcium Deposition in Laying Hens

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Xin ◽  
Jingpeng Zhao ◽  
Hongchao Jiao ◽  
Haifang Li ◽  
Xiaojuan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Light Regime ◽  
Calcium Deposition ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Dark Time ◽  
Calbindin D28k ◽  
Calcium And Phosphorus ◽  
Calcium Transporter

Abstract Background: The absorption and transportation of calcium and phosphorus is mainly relied on their corresponding transporters. Eggshell is mainly formed during dark time in one egg cycle. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different light regime on eggshell quality and the expression of the relevant calcium and phosphorus transporters in laying hens. Seventy two 56-week-old laying hens were randomly divided into two groups and subjected to the following treatments: 16 h light: 8 h dark (control) and 9 h light: 15 h dark (LDP). The expression of phosphorus transporters type IIb Na/Pi co-transporter NaPi-IIa (NPt2a) and NaPi-IIb (NPt2b), calcium transporter calbindin-D28k (CaBP-D28k), and plasma membrane Ca ATPase 1b (PMCA1b) were measured in small intestine, kidney, and eggshell gland. Results: The results showed that the feed intake (P < 0.001) and egg weight (P = 0.05) was decreased by LDP treatment, while laying rate, egg production, and feed efficiency were not significantly influenced (P > 0.05). Compared to control, eggshell hardness was increased (P < 0.05) by LDP treatment whereas eggshell thickness and eggshell percentage were not significant changed. Eggshell calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were elevated in LDP-hens, compared to control birds. Compared to control birds, serum Ca (P < 0.01) and P levels (P = 0.079) at dark time were increased in LDP-hens while and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was lowered (P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of CaBP-D28k and PMCA1b were not influenced in duodenum but were decreased at light time in jejunum of LDP hens. In kidney, the expression of CaBP-D28k, PMCA1b and NPt2a were not changed by LDP treatment. In eggshell gland, however, the expression of CaBP-D28k and osteopontin (OPN) were relative higher in LDP hens compared to control birds, whereas the PMCA1b expression was not altered. Conclusions: The result indicates that the increased circulating Ca and P concentrations in dark time are favorable for the deposition of calcium and phosphorus in eggshell. The result offers an alternative strategy for the laying hen with a worse eggshell problem.

scholarly journals Laying performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed diets supplemented with prebiotics and organic acids

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 294-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Świątkiewicz ◽  
J. Koreleski ◽  
A. Arczewska
Keyword(s):  
Organic Acids ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Calcium And Phosphorus

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of organic acids and the prebiotic fructans on egg production and eggshell quality when added to the layer diet with different levels of calcium and phosphorus. The experiment was carried out on 168 Bovans Brown hens, allocated to 14 groups of 12 replications. Each hen (replication) was kept in an individual cage 40 cm &times; 40 cm in size. A 2 &times; 7 factorial arrangement, with two dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus (normal &ndash; 3.70% Ca, 0.65% P, and reduced &ndash; 3.25% Ca, 0.60% P) and with diets supplemented by selected additives (none, 0.75% inulin, 0.75% oligofructose, 0.50% volatile fatty acids (VFA), 0.25% medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), 0.30% VFA + 0.20% MCFA, 0.75% inulin + 0.50% VFA) was used. The experiment was carried out over 34 weeks, from the age of 26 to 70 weeks. There were no statistically confirmed effects of the factors studied in this experiment on egg performance, i.e. laying rate, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion. Reducing the dietary levels of Ca and P significantly decreased eggshell percent, thickness, density and breaking strength. The additives used had a considerable effect on eggshell quality at 46, 58 and 70 weeks of age, and these positive effects were most pronounced in the case of inulin and MCFA. There was no significant interaction between Ca and P dietary levels and the additives used. It was thus concluded that selected feed additives which lower the pH of the diet and intestinal content can beneficially influence eggshell quality in older high-producing laying hens. &nbsp;

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.

Dietary zinc supplementation and the performance and behaviour of caged laying hens

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 331
Author(s):  
Zahra Sorosh ◽  
Somayyeh Salari ◽  
Mohsen Sari ◽  
Jamal Fayazi ◽  
Saleh Tabatabaei
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Dietary Zinc ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Laying Performance

There is considerable behavioural evidence demonstrating stress reactions in birds. Behaviour of birds can affect their performance parameters. Also, nutritional factors may affect the behaviour of laying hens. Dietary deficiencies, such as minerals can increase feather-pecking behaviour and cannibalism. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of dietary zinc (Zn) on performance and behaviour of laying hens with four treatments (40, 70, 100, 130 mg Zn/kg of diet) with 96 Hy-Line W-36 leghorn hens for 10 weeks. The results showed that egg production for hens receiving 130 mg Zn/kg of diet was significantly higher than for those receiving 40 and 70 mg Zn/kg of diet (P &lt; 0.05). Those hens receiving 130 mg Zn/kg of diet had lower feed consumption compared with those that had other treatments (P &lt; 0.05). Dietary inclusion of Zn caused an improvement to feed conversion ratio (P &lt; 0.05). There was a treatment × time interaction on feeding behaviour that hens received 130 mg Zn/kg of diet spent significantly less time at the feeder than the other treatments. Hens receiving 130 mg Zn/kg of diet spent significantly less time drinking than the hens that received 40 and 70 mg Zn/kg of diet. Also, those that received 130 mg Zn/kg of diet did more non-nutritive pecking and preening than the hens that received 40 and 70 mg Zn/kg of diet. High levels of Zn decreased the aggressive behaviour of hens compared with those that received 40 mg Zn/kg of diet (P &lt; 0.05). It can be concluded that Zn can improve laying performance, and can decrease aggressive behaviour.

scholarly journals Effect of Different Percentage of Camelina sativa Cake in Laying Hens Diet: Performance, Welfare, and Eggshell Quality

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1396
Author(s):  
Susanna Lolli ◽  
Guido Grilli ◽  
Lorenzo Ferrari ◽  
Giovanna Battelli ◽  
Sara Pozzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Age Factors ◽  
Camelina Sativa ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Good Source ◽  
Eggshell Quality ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Animal Feeding ◽  
Effect Of Feeding

Although camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] is a good source of protein, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, its antinutritional compounds limit its use in animal feeding. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of feeding laying hens with up to 20% of camelina cake from a breeding line containing a low level of glucosinolates on performance, welfare, and eggshell quality. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line® hens from 18 to 51 weeks of age were divided into three treatments: control (C), camelina cake 10% (CAM10), and camelina cake 20% (CAM20). Egg number was recorded daily, while egg weight, feed consumption, and mortality were recorded weekly. At 24 and 43 weeks of hen age, shell resistance to fracture was measured. Our results demonstrate no detrimental effects for CAM10 and CAM20 diets on feed intake, growth performance, and welfare. No difference in egg production was detected among the diets. The significant (p < 0.05) interaction of diet and age factors suggest that the addition of camelina cake, up to 20%, likely protects the eggshell of older hens. Our findings confirm that camelina cake might be an alternative and sustainable protein source for hens.

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