scholarly journals Effects of Different Non-Cage Housing Systems on the Production Performance, Serum Parameters and Intestinal Morphology of Laying Hens

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1673
Author(s):  
Yi Wan ◽  
Huan Yang ◽  
Hongyi Zhang ◽  
Ruiyu Ma ◽  
Renrong Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Morphological Observation ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Serum Parameters ◽  
Antioxidative Status ◽  
Laying Performance

This study investigated the effects of plastic-net housing system (NRS) and floor-litter housing system (LRS) on the production performance, serum parameters and intestinal morphology of Shendan laying hens. A total of 1200 30-week-old hens were randomly allocated to the NRS and LRS groups, each of which included five replicates with 120 chickens in each replicate. The experiment was conducted from 32 to 40 weeks of age. Indoor airborne parameters were measured every 2 weeks, and indoor ground contamination was measured monthly. The laying rate and mortality of hens were recorded daily, and egg quality traits and serum parameters were measured every 2 weeks. At 40 weeks of age, four birds per replicate from each experimental group were selected for intestinal morphological observation. The results showed that the airborne bacteria number in the LRS was significantly higher than that in the NRS (p < 0.05) for most of the experimental period (except at 32 and 38 weeks of age), and the bacterial numbers on the surfaces of the floor and floor eggs in the LRS were approximately 10 times higher than those in the NRS (p < 0.05). Compared with the LRS, the NRS improved the laying rate (p < 0.05), reduced serum malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05) and corticosterone (CORT) concentrations and increased serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, indicating favourable effects on antioxidative status. The NRS was significantly associated with an increased villus height (VH), villus height to crypt depth ratio (VCR) in the small intestine (p < 0.05) and increased VCR in the caecum (p < 0.05). Overall, the lower rate of bacterial contamination in the NRS than in the LRS indicated better environmental hygiene. The NRS enhanced the laying performance and antioxidant capacity of hens and was superior to the LRS in improving intestinal health. The current findings support the advantages of the NRS for the health and welfare of Shendan chickens during the peak laying period.

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 Effects of supplementation with different rapeseed oil sources and levels on production performance, egg quality, and serum parameters in laying hens

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 1697-1705 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Yuan ◽  
J.P. Wang ◽  
X.M. Ding ◽  
S.P. Bai ◽  
Q.F. Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rapeseed Oil ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Serum Parameters

scholarly journals Use of Medicinal Mushrooms in Layer Ration

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1014
Author(s):  
Shad Mahfuz ◽  
Xiangshu Piao
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Poultry Feed ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Medicinal Mushrooms ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Medicinal Fungi

Application of different medicinal mushrooms intended to enhance production performance and health status has created an importance demand in poultry production. One goal of using medicinal mushrooms is to get rid of antibiotics in poultry feed without affecting the optimum performance. Increasing concerns about this issue have led to more attention on antibiotic substitutes and a significant demand for them for organic egg production. Thus, supplementation with medicinal mushrooms is a new concept for research in layer production, however, there is still a great deal of confusion about inclusion levels and the mode of action of medicinal mushrooms on production performance and health status in laying hens. Taking this into account, this review outlines the experimental uses of medicinal fungi on the growth performance, laying performance, egg quality, and health status of layer birds based on previous findings to date. Finally, we highlight that supplementation with medicinal fungi can play a role on the immunity, health, and production performance in laying hens.

scholarly journals The Effects of Supplementing Lysophosphatidylcholine in Diet on Production Performance, Egg Quality and Intestinal Morphology of Laying Hens

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 238-243
Author(s):  
Witchanun Juntanapum ◽  
Theerawit Poeikhamph ◽  
Kanokporn Poungpong ◽  
Choawit Rakangthon ◽  
Pudcharaporn Kromkhun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Production Performance

scholarly journals Effect of Selenium Sources on Laying Performance, Egg Quality Characteristics, Intestinal Morphology, Microbial Population and Digesta Volatile Fatty Acids in Laying Hens

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1681
Author(s):  
Aliyu Ibrahim Muhammad ◽  
Dalia Alla Mohamed ◽  
Loh Teck Chwen ◽  
Henny Akit ◽  
Anjas Asmara Samsudin
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Laying Performance

The use of toxic and less bioavailable inorganic selenium can now be supplemented with an alternative organic source from bacterial species in nutrition for human and animal benefit. This study investigated the effects of selenium sources on laying performance, egg quality characteristics, intestinal morphology, caecum microbial population, and digesta volatile fatty acids in laying hens. One hundred and forty-four Lohman Brown Classic laying hens, at 23 weeks of age, were divided into four experimental groups (36 hens in each), differing in form of Se supplementation: no Se supplementation (Con), 0.3 mg/kg of inorganic Se in the form of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3), 0.3 mg/kg of organic Se from selenium yeast (Se-Yeast), and 0.3 mg/kg of organic Se from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (bacterial organic Se, ADS18). The results showed that different dietary Se sources significantly affected laying rate, average egg weight, daily egg mass, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and live bodyweight (LBW) (p < 0.05). However, average daily feed intake and shell-less and broken eggs were unaffected (p > 0.05) among the treatment groups. The findings revealed that selenium sources had no (p > 0.05) effect on egg quality (external and internal) parameters. However, eggshell breaking strength and Haugh unit were significantly (p < 0.05) improved with organic (ADS18 or Se-yeast) Se-fed hens compared to the control group. In addition, egg yolk and breast tissue Se concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in the dietary Se supplemented group compared to the control. Intestinal histomorphology revealed that hens fed ADS18 or Se-Yeast groups had significantly (p < 0.05) higher villi height in the duodenum and jejunum compared to those fed Na2SeO3 or a basal diet. However, when compared to organic Se fed (ADS18 or Se-Yeast) hens, the ileum villus height was higher (p < 0.05) in the basal diet group; with the lowest in the SS among the treatment groups. A significant increase (p < 0.05) of Lactobacilli spp. and Bifidobacteria spp., and a decrease of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. population were observed in the organic (ADS18 or Se-yeast) compared to inorganic supplemented and control hens. The individual digesta volatile fatty acid (VFA) was significantly different, but with no total VFA differences. Thus, bacterial selenoprotein or Se-yeast improved the performance index, egg quality characteristics, egg yolk and tissue Se contents, and intestinal villus height in laying hens. Moreover, caecum beneficial microbes increased with a decrease in the harmful microbe population and affected individual cecal volatile fatty acids without affecting the total VFA of the laying hens digesta.

scholarly journals Effect of benzoic acid on production performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbial community of laying hens

2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-205
Author(s):  
Haojie Gong ◽  
Zengqiao Yang ◽  
Pietro Celi ◽  
Lei Yan ◽  
Xuemei Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Benzoic Acid ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Production Performance
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