scholarly journals Gradual Provision of Live Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae to Older Laying Hens: Effect on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Feather Condition and Behavior

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Star ◽  
Tarique Arsiwalla ◽  
Francesc Molist ◽  
Raymond Leushuis ◽  
Monika Dalim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Feather Pecking ◽  
Hermetia Illucens Larvae

Feather pecking is a key welfare challenge in laying hen husbandry. Feeding of live Hermetia illucens larvae could provide a possible solution to reduce feather pecking in hens. This research investigates effects of dispensing live H. illucens larvae to non-beak trimmed older laying hens on production performance, behavior and welfare. Control treatment hens were provided a commercial diet, while larvae treatment hens were provided live H. illucens larvae (using special dispenser) on top of a soy-free diet. Feather condition, production performance and egg quality were measured during the initiation (67 weeks age) and termination (78 weeks age) of the trial. Behavior of birds was monitored using video recording. Feed conversion ratio, body weight gain and egg laying parameters were similar for both treatments. At termination of the trial, larvae-fed hens exhibited better feather condition in comparison to control hens (p = 0.004). Behavioral observations indicated that larvae provision influenced the number of birds on floor during morning and afternoon hours. In conclusion, live H. illucens larvae could successfully replace soy in diets of older laying hens (in combination with local plant proteins). Provisioning of these insects also had a positive effect on the feather condition of laying hens with intact beaks.

scholarly journals Performance of Laying Hens Fed Sorghum Based Diets Supplemented with Enzymes

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 224-232
Author(s):  
O. M. Agunbiade ◽  
P. A. Onimisi ◽  
J. J. Omage
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Sorghum is the primary alternative feedstuff for corn in some developed countries in the production of poultry. Thus, four hundred and fifty 32 weeks old Lohmann Brown laying hens were used in a study to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with sorghum with or without enzymes supplementation, on egg laying performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens. Birds were distributed randomly into six dietary treatments with three replicates per treatment, each replicate had 25 birds with uniform initial group weights. The treatments included maize without enzymes (T1); sorghum without enzymes (T2); as controls respectively, while T3, T4, T5, and T6 contained sorghum based diets with phytase, protease, G2G, and a combination of protease and G2G respectively. Laying performance, cost of production, and egg quality characteristics were determined for the period of the trial, 33-56 weeks of age of the birds. All data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, using the completely randomized design (CRD) and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Tukey test. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed among dietary treatments but with no defined trend observed for egg production traits. Daily feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in maize control diet compared to the other treatments. Diets supplemented with phytase (T3), protease (14), and combination of protease and roxazyme G2G (T6) had significantly (p<0.05) better feed conversion ratio with T3 having the lowest value of 4.01 compared to the other treatments. For feed cost/dozen egg (N), Kg feed/dozen eggs, income above feed cost at N30 per egg, and income above control treatment; phytase (T3), protease (T4), roxazyme 626 (T5), and protease + roxacyme G2G (T6) diets in this study showed better performance than the control. Sorghum diet without enzyme had significantly (p<0.05) least performance for egg number. Hen housed egg production (HHP) and hen day egg production (HDP) compared to the other treatments while sorghum diet with phytase had the highest value (60.12g/day) for average egg weight compared to the other treatments. Egg quality characteristics showed the best performance for dietary treatments supplemented with phytase (T3) in all the other parameters considered, apart from the albumen height, yolk diameter, and yolk index. It was concluded therefore, that sorghum with phytase and protease supplementations can be used in layers' diets as a substitute for maize for optimum egg production.

scholarly journals Passion fruit waste in diets for quail in the laying phase

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e48281
Author(s):  
Adriana Aparecida Pereira ◽  
Rosineide Silva de Alcântara ◽  
Andressa Souza de Moura ◽  
Dirceu Neutzling Griep Júnior ◽  
Gisele Maria Nunes Vieira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Passion Fruit ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Female Quail ◽  
Fruit Waste ◽  
Egg Albumen

 It was aimed to evaluate the effect of including the waste from passion fruit pulp extraction in diets for Japanese quail in the laying phase on their production performance and egg quality. A total of 280 female quail were distributed into five treatments with eight replicates and seven birds per cage. Treatments consisted of 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8% inclusion of passion fruit waste in the diet. The experiment began with quail at 70 days of age and lasted 63 days, with performance evaluated every 21 days and egg quality in the last two days of each cycle. There was no difference between the treatments for feed intake, body weight, specific gravity, or eggshell thickness. However, a decreasing linear regression was obtained for feed intake with the inclusion of the waste, while a quadratic response was show by egg production, weight and parts of the egg. Inclusion of up to 6% passion fruit waste in diets for quail is recommended to maintain the indices in relation to control treatment. However, the best values for egg-laying rate and for the weights of egg, albumen, yolk, and shell are obtained with 2.5 to 3.5% inclusion of passion fruit waste.

Evaluating Brassica napus and Brassica juncea meals with supplemental enzymes for use in brown-egg laying hen diets: production performance and egg quality factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 820-832
Author(s):  
Rachel K. Savary ◽  
Janice L. MacIsaac ◽  
Bruce M. Rathgeber ◽  
Nancy L. McLean ◽  
Derek M. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Quality Factors

Canola and juncea meals (CM and JM) have been thoroughly evaluated in diets of white- but not brown-shell egg laying hens (BSLH). This study compared the effects of dietary CM, JM, or soybean meal (SBM) on production performance and egg quality of BSLH. Over 48 wk, 300 Lohmann Brown-Lite laying hens were fed diets containing SBM, 10% or 20% CM (CM-10 or CM-20), and 10% or 20% JM (JM-10 or JM-20), without (−E) or with (+E) a phytase/multicarbohydrase enzyme cocktail. Egg weight decreased with CM-20 inclusion compared with SBM (P = 0.027; SBM, 63.1a; CM-10, 61.8ab; CM-20, 61.1b; JM-10, 62.6ab; JM-20, 61.7ab; g egg−1). In a meal by enzyme interaction, enzyme inclusion decreased percent shell and egg specific gravity of only the hens fed CM-20 (P ≤ 0.008). Body weight decreased (P = 0.031; −E, 2135a; +E, 2078b; g hen−1) and feed efficiency was improved (P = 0.032; −E, 1.98a; +E, 1.95b; g feed g egg mass−1) when enzyme was included in the diet. Dietary treatment did not affect mortality (P > 0.05). All performance and quality parameters were within expected ranges; therefore, 20% CM and JM can be included in BSLH diets, and enzyme inclusion can be used to improve feed efficiency regardless of meal type fed.

scholarly journals Performance of Laying Hens Fed Sorghum Based Diets Supplemented with Enzymes

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-232
Author(s):  
O. M Agunbiade ◽  
P. A Onimisi ◽  
J. J. Omage
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Sorghum is the primary alternative feedstuff for corn in some developed countries in the production of poultry. Thus, four hundred and fifty 32 weeks old Lohmann Brown laying hens were used in a study to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with sorghum with or without enzymes supplementation, on egg laying performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens. Birds were distributed randomly into six dietary treatments with three replicates per treatment, each replicate had 25 birds with uniform initial group weights. The treatments included maize without enzymes (T1); sorghum without enzymes (T2); as controls respectively, while T3, T4, T5, and T6 contained sorghum based diets with phytase, protease, G2G, and a combination of protease and G2G respectively. Laying performance, cost of production, and egg quality characteristics were determined for the period of the trial, 33 -56 weeks of age of the birds. All data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, using the completely randomized design (CRD) and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Tukey test. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed among dietary treatments but with no defined trend observed for egg production traits. Daily feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in maize control diet compared to the other treatments. Diets supplemented with phytase (T3), protease (T4), and combination of protease and roxazyme G2G (T6) had significantly (p<0.05) better feed conversion ratio with T3 having the lowest value of 4.01 compared to the other treatments. For feed cost/dozen egg (N), Kg feed/dozen eggs, income above feed cost at N30 per egg, and income above control treatment; phytase (T3), protease (T4), roxazyme G2G (T5), and protease + roxazyme G2G (T6) diets in this study showed better performance than the control. Sorghum diet without enzyme had significantly (p<0.05) least performance for egg number, Hen housed egg production (HHP) and hen day egg production (HDP) compared to the other treatments while sorghum diet with phytase had the highest value (60.12g/day) for average egg weight compared to the other treatments. Egg quality characteristics showed the best performance for dietary treatments supplemented with phytase (T3) in all the other parameters considered, apart from the albumen height, yolk diameter, and yolk index. It was concluded therefore, that sorghum with phytase and protease supplementations can be used in layers' diets as a substitute for maize for optimum egg production.

scholarly journals Mitigation Effects of Bentonite and Yeast Cell Wall Binders on AFB1, DON, and OTA Induced Changes in Laying Hen Performance, Egg Quality, and Health

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Ling Zhao ◽  
Yue Feng ◽  
Jing-Tao Wei ◽  
Meng-Xiang Zhu ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Liver Weight ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Induced Changes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mycotoxin binders in reducing the adverse effects of co-occurring dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA) on laying hens. Three hundred and sixty 26-week-old Roman laying hens were randomly allocated into four experimental groups with 10 replicates of nine birds each. The four groups received either a basal diet (BD; Control), a BD supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg AFB1 + 1.5 mg/kg DON + 0.12 mg/kg OTA (Toxins), a BD + Toxins with Toxo-HP binder (Toxins + HP), or a BD + Toxins with TOXO XL binder (Toxins + XL) for 12 weeks. Compared to the control, dietary supplementation of mycotoxins decreased (P < 0.10) total feed intake, total egg weight, and egg-laying rate, but increased feed/egg ratio by 2.5–6.1% and mortality during various experimental periods. These alterations induced by mycotoxins were alleviated by supplementation with both TOXO HP and XL binders (P < 0.10). Furthermore, dietary mycotoxins reduced (P < 0.05) eggshell strength by 12.3% and caused an accumulation of 249 μg/kg of DON in eggs at week 12, while dietary supplementation with TOXO HP or XL mitigated DON-induced changes on eggshell strength and prevented accumulation of DON in eggs (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary mycotoxins increased relative liver weight, but decreased spleen and proventriculus relative weights by 11.6–22.4% (P < 0.05). Mycotoxin exposure also increased alanine aminotransferase activity and reduced immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, and IgG concentrations in serum by 9.2–26.1% (P < 0.05). Additionally, mycotoxin exposure induced histopathological damage and reduced villus height, villus height/crypt depth, and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum and (or) ileum (P < 0.05). Notably, most of these histological changes were mitigated by supplementation with both TOXO HP and XL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the mycotoxin binders TOXO HP and XL can help to mitigate the combined effects of AFB1, DON, and OTA on laying hen performance, egg quality, and health.

scholarly journals Influence of the energy and digestible lysine contents of the diet on performance and egg quality traits of brown-egg laying hens from 19 to 59 weeks of age

2021 ◽  
pp. 101211
Author(s):  
R. Scappaticcio ◽  
J. Garcia ◽  
G. Fondevila ◽  
A.F. de Juan ◽  
L. Cámara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Quality Traits

scholarly journals Effect of the Pellet and Mash Feed Forms on the Productive Performance, Egg Quality, Nutrient Metabolism, and Intestinal Morphology of Two Laying Hen Breeds

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 701
Author(s):  
Yi Wan ◽  
Ruiyu Ma ◽  
Anam Khalid ◽  
Lilong Chai ◽  
Renrong Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Nutrient Metabolism ◽  
Feed Form

One of the most important factors that determine feed utilization by chickens is the feed form. Although it is generally believed that pellet diets have a positive effect on chicken growth, there are some studies that have indicated no difference between pellet and mash on chickens performance. This study was conducted to assess the effects of feed form on production performance, egg quality, nutrient metabolism and intestinal morphology in two breed laying hens. Two hundred and sixteen 25-week-old Hy-Line brown (n = 108) and Hy-Line grey (n = 108) hens were selected. Each breed was randomly allocated into two treatments with 6 replications (9 birds in each replication), which were fed mash and pellet diets, respectively. Production performances were recorded daily and egg quality traits were measured every two weeks. At 42 weeks of age, one bird per replication from each experimental group was selected for metabolism determination and intestine morphology observation. Compared with mash diets, pellet diets improved laying rate (p < 0.05), ADFI (average daily feed intake, p < 0.05), egg weight, shell strength, yolk proportion and Haugh unit (p < 0.05) in both breeds and reduced the FCR (feed conversion ratio, p < 0.05) in Hy-Line grey. The apparent digestibility of DM% (dry matter) and CP% (crude protein) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in both breed laying hens fed pellet than those fed mash. The apparent digestibility of P% (phosphorus) and Ca% (calcium) was higher in Hy-Line grey fed pellet and was higher in Hy-Line brown fed mash. Compared to mash diets, pellet diets increased the VH (villus height), CD (crypt depth) and VCR (ratio of villus height to crypt depth) of the small intestine of Hy-Line grey, and increased the VH and CD of duodenum and ileum of Hy-Line brown. Overall, pellet diets improved production performance and nutrition metabolism through positive changes in the laying rate, feed intake, egg albumen quality and apparent digestibility of laying hens. The current findings provided support for the advantages of feeding pellets during the peak egg laying period for the two popular laying hen strains, Hy-Line brown and Hy-Line grey.

scholarly journals Feeding live Black Soldier Fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) to laying hens: effects on feed consumption, hen health, hen behaviour and egg quality

2021 ◽  
pp. 101400
Author(s):  
Fernanda M. Tahamtani ◽  
Emma Ivarsson ◽  
Viktoria Wiklicky ◽  
Cecilia Lalander ◽  
Helena Wall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Black Soldier Fly Larvae ◽  
Fly Larvae
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