EFFECT OF DIETARY ENERGY AND CALCIUM LEVEL ON EGG PRODUCTION AND EGG QUALITY

1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. MacIntyre ◽  
H. W. R. Chancey ◽  
E. E. Gardiner

Two experiments were conducted with Single-Comb White Leghorn laying hens to measure some of the effects of energy and calcium levels on egg production and quality. In Experiment 1, rations containing 3.95 per cent calcium gave significantly higher egg production than rations containing 3.00 or 2.25 per cent, but in Experiment 2 there was no difference in egg production between rations containing 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 per cent calcium. Rations containing 1.0 per cent calcium gave significantly lower egg production than rations containing 2.0 per cent or more. Levels of calcium up to 6.0 per cent had no adverse effect on egg production.Egg-shell quality as measured by specific gravity improved with increasing levels of calcium. A calcium intake of at least 4 grams per bird per day was necessary for best egg-shell quality.

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
Marianne Hammershøj ◽  
Gitte Hald Kristiansen ◽  
Sanna Steenfeldt

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kumar ◽  
C. Raginski ◽  
K. Schwean-Lardner ◽  
H.L. Classen

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.


1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Caston ◽  
E. J. Squires ◽  
S. Leeson

Two hundred and twenty-five 19-wk-old Single Comb White Leghorn pullets of a commercial strain were fed diets containing either 0, 10 or 20% ground flax seed. Birds fed 20% dietary flax were smaller and ate more feed (P < 0.01). Hen performance in terms of egg production and egg-shell deformation was unaffected by dietary flax throughout the trial. Egg weight followed this trend until period 12, when control-fed hens laid significantly larger eggs (P < 0.01). The metabolizable energy of diets containing 10 and 20% ground flax was significantly less than that of the control corn-soybean diet (P < 0.01). Malondialdehyde levels in the liver of birds fed 20% dietary flax were moderately elevated, although this was not indicative of serious lipid peroxidation. Percentage liver fat was significantly lower in birds fed all levels of dietary flax (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase of N-3 fatty acids, and particularly linolenic acid, in the livers of birds fed all levels of dietary flax. The data from taste-panel studies involving fresh and stored eggs were somewhat inconclusive, although in general there was a slight perception of off-flavour in eggs from flax-fed birds. Key words: Hen performance, egg quality, dietary flax


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2991
Author(s):  
Isabelle Ruhnke ◽  
Yeasmin Akter ◽  
Terence Zimazile Sibanda ◽  
Aaron J. Cowieson ◽  
Stuart Wilkinson ◽  
...  

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.


1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (55) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Connor ◽  
KF Arnold

Five levels of calcium ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 per cent were fed in diets with and without tallow to White Leghorn and Australorp X White Leghorn pullets. Sodium bicarbonate additions to diets varying in calcium and sodium chloride content were fed in two further experiments using Australorp X White Leghorn pullets and hens. Sodium bicarbonate did not increase specific gravity of the egg but did increase liveweight gain. Adding tallow to the diet did not effect calcium utilization. Shell strength increased as the level of calcium increased up to 4.5 per cent. The magnitude of the response to additional calcium was reduced as the birds aged. The results also suggested limestone in the diet depressed the appetite of young pullets but not that of older hens. There were no differences in egg production between any treatments.


1959 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. MacIntyre ◽  
J. R. Aitken

Diets varying in protein content from 10.9 to 16.7 per cent were fed over a 336-day laying period to hens in both floor pens and individual laying cages. All rations were approximately iso-caloric, the mean productive energy value being 825 Calories per pound. Each ration was fed to 200–240 hens in four floor pens and to 90–96 hens in individual cages.A crude protein level of 13 per cent of the diet proved adequate for egg production, but egg weights and body weights were improved when the dietary protein was increased. Egg shell quality was highest on low protein diets. Interior egg quality was not affected by the protein level in the diet.On comparable diets, birds in individual laying cages laid fewer eggs and consumed less feed than birds in floor pens. Caged birds were heavier in body weight and laid heavier eggs with thicker shells than their counterparts in floor pens. The criteria employed in the measurement of interior egg quality showed no differences between the cage and pen environments, nor did there appear to be any differences in protein requirements between the two environments.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 210-210
Author(s):  
R Gaykani ◽  
M Zaghari ◽  
M Shivazad

In recent years there has been increasing interest in cultivating canola in tropical areas. This product is used to supply edible oil for humans, and also as a high quality protein source for poultry (Baker and Chang 1992), soybean meal has been replaced by canola meal and there were some negative and positive effects on egg production, egg quality, egg shell quality (Roth-maier1999) In the present study, investigating the effect of canola meal on egg quality, different levels of soybean meal were replaced by canola meal in laying hen diets.


1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. OLOMU ◽  
A. R. ROBBLEE ◽  
D. R. CLANDININ ◽  
R. T. HARDIN

Full-fat Span rapeseed (a low erucic acid variety), which had been steam-treated at 90 C for 30 min and then ground, was examined as a protein and energy source in rations of Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens during a laying period of 336 days. The levels of mortality and egg production were not significantly affected by the inclusion of 0, 5, 10 or 15% Span rapeseed in the ration; however, calculation of the simple regression between hen-day production and level of rapeseed used indicated a significant decrease in production with increasing levels of rapeseed in the ration. No mortality was attributed to ’haemorrhagic liver syndrome’ in the groups fed rations containing 0 and 5% rapeseed but the incidence of haemorrhagic liver syndrome was 3.1 and 4.2%, respectively, in birds fed rations containing 10 and 15% rapeseed. Egg quality, feed conversion and body weight were not affected by any of the dietary treatments. The sizes of the livers and hearts and their composition of dry matter, fat and protein were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. There was, however, a progressive and significant (P < 0.05) increase in the relative weights of the thyroids as the level of rapeseed in the ration was increased.


1979 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. LEESON ◽  
B. S. REINHART ◽  
J. D. SUMMERS

Thirty-week-old purebred strains of Single Comb White Leghorn (WL) and Rhode Island Red (RIR) breeder hens were offered a control corn-soybean meal diet or the control diet with one of the following vitamins omitted from the supplement: biotin, B12, E, folacin, niacin, pantothenate and riboflavin. For each strain, four randomly distributed cages of four birds were offered each diet. Birds were inseminated weekly with 0.05 ml of pooled White Leghorn (WL) semen. Egg production, fertility and hatchability were recorded. After 15 wk, the vitamins omitted were added to the diets, and observations continued for a further 5 wk. With the exception of biotin, each unsupplemented diet had an adverse effect on egg production of RIR (P < 0.05), although few significant effects were observed with WL. Diet had no effect on fertility. Lack of added riboflavin had the most effect on hatchability, with 0% being recorded for both strains after 13 wk of treatment. All other treatments depressed hatchability for RIR (P < 0.05), although the pattern was not as well defined with W.L. Both breeds responded to re introduction of vitamins, such that at the end of the trial no significant (P > 0.05) differences in production or hatchability were recorded. There was no difference in growth rate of chicks hatched from eggs produced during the 8th wk of treatment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document