LAYER PERFORMANCE IN COLONY CAGES AS RELATED TO STOCKING DENSITY AND POPULATION SIZE

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 785-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. HILL
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
White Leghorns ◽  
High Level

Two commercial strains of White Leghorns were each measured for egg production, egg quality, feed efficiency and net egg income over feed and bird costs. The birds were in populations of 18, 24 and 30 per colony cage each at densities of 310, 387 and 464 cm2 per bird. In addition, a 10th population–density combination of 24 birds, caged singly at 619 cm2, served as controls. A total of 3,840 birds were measured for 60 wk in two tests, each with four replications. Results were also related directly to an earlier experiment with populations of 3, 6 and 12 birds per cage at the same densities. The performances of populations of 18, 24 and 30 birds were equal and poor relative to the controls. All three populations at 387 cm2 per bird were superior to those at 310 cm2 and equal to 464 cm2 in egg production and net egg income. In comparisons with more conventionally caged populations of 3, 6 and 12 birds, colony caged layers yielded significantly (P < 0.01) fewer eggs and less net egg income. Mortality was significantly (P < 0.05) greater for colony caged layers. It was concluded that the general high level of stress in colony cages prevented the expression of declining performance normally expected with population increases, yet effects due to density were still evident.

scholarly journals Effects of a short laying rest on postrest egg production and egg quality

1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 437-445
Author(s):  
Tuomo Kiiskinen ◽  
Hilkka Hakatie
Keyword(s):  
Mass Production ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Whole Grain ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Production Period

Two factorial trials, each including three commercial laying hybrids, were conducted to study the effects of a short laying rest on postrest performance of hens and on egg quality. A total of 1800 hens laying at 65% on an average (70 wks of age) were subjected to one of the following treatments: no rest (control, C) or feeding only whole-grain barley (WB) or fasting (F, Trial 1 only) until the rate oflay dropped to 0%, after which the birds were returned to the previous all-mash diet. The second laying period was six months. Egg production of the WB and F hens ceased within one week on an average and the birds were out of production for 10 days. Laying intensity during the second production period did not differ significantly between the treatments in each trial, but egg weight and daily egg mass production increased as a result of the rest treatments. The laying rest procedures reduced feed intake, improved feed efficiency and increased live weight significantly. Egg shell and albumen quality traits were significantly better in the laying rest groups than in the controls. Significant differences in performance and egg quality between the hybrids were mainly ascertained in Trial 2. The results suggest that a short laying rest is a feasible means of improving egg quality towards the end of the laying period. It can be accomplished successfully by feeding whole-grain barley.

scholarly journals The effects of space allowance on egg yield, egg quality and plumage condition of laying hens in battery cages

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 345-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sarica ◽  
S. Boga ◽  
U.S. Yamak
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Battery Cages ◽  
And Performance

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cage stocking density on egg yield, some egg quality traits and plumage condition in laying hens. Eighteen weeks-old 264 ISA-Brown pullets were divided into four cage density groups. The densities were 2 000, 1 000, 667 and 500 cm<sup>2</sup> per hen (by allocating 1, 2, 3 and 4 hens per cage; floor area 40 × 50 cm) with 48, 30, 24 and 21 replicate cages, totally 123 three-tier battery cages. During the experimental period from 18 to 53 weeks of age, all birds were provided illumination for 16 hours a day. The hens were fed a diet containing 11.7 MJ ME/kg and 180 g CP during the period of 18 to 40 weeks of age and 11.3 MJ ME/kg and 170 g CP during the period of 41 to 54 weeks of age. Feed and water were available for <I>ad libitum</I>. Egg yield, mortality, live weights at 50% egg production age and at the end of experiment, pecking related mortalities, some egg quality traits and plumage condition were recorded weekly. Hen-housed egg production, egg mass, viability, and live weights were significantly decreased by higher densities. Most of the egg quality traits were not affected by cage densities. Pecking related mortalities increased in cage densities of 667 cm<sup>2</sup> and 500 cm<sup>2</sup> per hen compared to the other densities (<I>P</I> < 0.05) while plumage scores were higher in all body parts of hens kept in cages of 2 000 cm<sup>2</sup> and 1 000 cm<sup>2</sup> densities compared to the higher densities. The results showed that brown laying hens should be kept in cages having 1 000–2 000 cm<sup>2</sup> densities in order to improve their welfare and performance.

scholarly journals Effect of inorganic or organic selenium supplementation on productive performance, egg quality and some physiological traits of dual-purpose breeding hens

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 505-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attia YA ◽  
Abdala AA ◽  
Zewei HS ◽  
F. Bover ◽  
El-Din AA Tag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Total Concentration ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Cholesterol Concentration ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
High Level

One hundred and twenty (100♀ + 20♂) 30-weeks-old dual-purpose breeding hens of Gimmizah strain were housed in individual cages in a semi-open house. Birds were distributed randomly into five treatments of 20♀ + 4♂. The 1st treatment was fed a control (unsupplemented) diet (17.5% CP and 11.4 MJ per kg diet) containing 0.10 mg Se/kg (low level). The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th treatments were fed the control diet supplemented with 0.15 and 0.30 mg Se/kg from inorganic (sodium selenite) and organic (selenomethionine, as Se-yeast Selplex&reg; Alltech, Nicholasville, USA) sources, respectively. The total concentration of Se in experimental diets was 0.25 (medium level) and 0.40 ppm (high level). Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period (30&ndash;50 weeks of age). Different Se levels of the organic and inorganic form and their interaction did not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) affect egg production percentage, and most of egg quality traits. Egg weight and egg mass significantly (P &lt; 0.002) increased and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly (P &lt; 0.04) improved due to Se supplementation compared with hens fed the control diet. Piped embryos and spleen percentage significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased due to Se supplementation. In addition, the level of organic and inorganic Se and their interaction significantly (P &lt; 0.0001) decreased the plasma cholesterol concentration. Tibia Ca and P percentages and yolk selenium concentration significantly (P &lt; 0.03; P &lt; 0.0001 and P &lt; 0.0001, respectively) increased due to Se supplementation and the greatest increase was recorded by a group fed diet with the high level (0.40) of organic Se. The duodenal and intestinal mucosa of the ileum was negatively affected by the high level of inorganic Se while chickens fed the organic form showed less toxic effects in hepatic and splenic tissues than those receiving the inorganic form. In conclusion, the organic and inorganic Se supplementation at 0.15 and 0.30 mg/kg diet, which corresponded to a dietary level of 0.25 and 0.40 mg/kg diet, improved the productive and reproductive performance of Gimmizah breeding hens. A decrease in plasma total cholesterol and an improvement in the bone mineralization were observed. The level of 0.25 mg/kg diet of organic Se was adequate to enrich eggs, which may be recommended for practical application and which would improve the consumer health benefit.

scholarly journals Productivity and Egg Quality of Two Commercial Layer Hybrids Kept in Free-Range System

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 1444
Author(s):  
Muhittin Tutkun ◽  
Muzaffer Denli ◽  
Ramazan Demirel
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Poultry House ◽  
Free Range

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance and egg quality parameters of two layer hybrids (Lohmann Brown and Atak-S) which were reared in free-range system. The experiment was carried out with a total of 300 laying hens. From 18 to 50 weeks of age Lohmann Brown (LB) and Atak-S (AS) were housed in two groups of 150 hens in a poultry house with a stocking density of 7 hens/m2. The 2 trial groups were formed from 10 repetitions each consisting of 15 hens. At the 20, 30, 40 and 50 weeks of ages, the production performance and egg quality parameters were evaluated. Mean daily feed intake and feed efficiency through the trial were 111.2 g vs 124.3 g, and 2.46 vs 2.58 respectively for LB and AS hybrids (P

scholarly journals Effect of Selenium Source and Level on Performance, Egg Quality, Egg Selenium Content, and Serum Biochemical Parameters in Laying Hens

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hu Liu ◽  
Qifang Yu ◽  
Chengkun Fang ◽  
Sijia Chen ◽  
Xiaopeng Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Selenium Content ◽  
Selenium Yeast ◽  
Serum Biochemical ◽  
High Level ◽  
Biochemical Indices

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of sodium selenite (SS) and selenium yeast (SY) on performance, egg quality, and selenium concentration in eggs and serum biochemical indices in laying hens. Seven hundred twenty healthy Roman laying hens (21 weeks old, 18 weeks in lay) with a similar laying rate (90.27% ± 1.05%) were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 replicates of 24 hens each. Five diets were prepared as a 1+2×2 factorial arrangement with control and two sources of Se at two levels. Control diet (control) was prepared without adding exogenous selenium (analyzed basal Se content of 0.178 mg/kg). The other four diets were prepared with the control diet supplemented with SY or SS at 0.3 mg/kg (low; L) or 0.5 mg/kg (high; H) to give 5 diets designated as control, SY-L, SY-H, SS-L, and SS-H. The analyzed selenium content in the SY-L, SY-H, SS-L, and SS-H diets were 0.362, 0.572, 0.323, and 0.533 mg/kg respectively. The pre-trial period lasted 7 d, and the experimental period lasted 56 d (30 weeks old), during which the egg production, egg quality, and hen serum parameters were measured. Results showed that selenium source and level had no effect (P > 0.05) on average daily egg weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, the laying rate was different at the L and H levels of supplementation, regardless of source, such that hens that were supplemented had a higher performance than that of the control, and the H level of supplementation lead to a higher laying rate than that of the L level (P < 0.05). There was a difference in average daily feed intake (ADFI) with an interaction in selenium source and level (P < 0.05), such that SS-L was higher than other selenium supplemented treatment or control. There were no significant differences in egg quality (P > 0.05); at the high level, SY had higher egg yolk selenium compared with SS. However, within SY, adding 0.5 mg/kg selenium led to higher egg yolk selenium than 0.3 mg/kg selenium (P < 0.05). Moreover, adding 0.3 mg/kg SY, 0.3 mg/kg, or 0.5 mg/kg SS to the basal diet had no significant effect on the selenium content in the egg (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in serum biochemical indices among the five groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, adding a high level of selenium in the diet of laying hens significantly increased egg production, and addition of a high level of selenium in the form of SY led to a higher deposition of selenium in the yolk than that of SS. These results indicate that adding 0.5 mg/kg of SY in the diet of laying hens would result in Se-enriched eggs.

scholarly journals Effect of inorganic or organic selenium supplementation on productive performance, egg quality and some physiological traits of dual-purpose breeding hens

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 505-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.A. Attia ◽  
A.A. Abdalah ◽  
H.S. Zeweil ◽  
F. Bovera ◽  
A.A. Tag El-Din ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Total Concentration ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Cholesterol Concentration ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
High Level

One hundred and twenty (100♀ + 20♂) 30-weeks-old dual-purpose breeding hens of Gimmizah strain were housed in individual cages in a semi-open house. Birds were distributed randomly into five treatments of 20♀ + 4♂. The 1st treatment was fed a control (unsupplemented) diet (17.5% CP and 11.4 MJ per kg diet) containing 0.10 mg Se/kg (low level). The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th treatments were fed the control diet supplemented with 0.15 and 0.30 mg Se/kg from inorganic (sodium selenite) and organic (selenomethionine, as Se-yeast Selplex&reg; Alltech, Nicholasville, USA) sources, respectively. The total concentration of Se in experimental diets was 0.25 (medium level) and 0.40 ppm (high level). Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period (30&ndash;50 weeks of age). Different Se levels of the organic and inorganic form and their interaction did not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) affect egg production percentage, and most of egg quality traits. Egg weight and egg mass significantly (P &lt; 0.002) increased and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly (P &lt; 0.04) improved due to Se supplementation compared with hens fed the control diet. Piped embryos and spleen percentage significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased due to Se supplementation. In addition, the level of organic and inorganic Se and their interaction significantly (P &lt; 0.0001) decreased the plasma cholesterol concentration. Tibia Ca and P percentages and yolk selenium concentration significantly (P &lt; 0.03; P &lt; 0.0001 and P &lt; 0.0001, respectively) increased due to Se supplementation and the greatest increase was recorded by a group fed diet with the high level (0.40) of organic Se. The duodenal and intestinal mucosa of the ileum was negatively affected by the high level of inorganic Se while chickens fed the organic form showed less toxic effects in hepatic and splenic tissues than those receiving the inorganic form. In conclusion, the organic and inorganic Se supplementation at 0.15 and 0.30 mg/kg diet, which corresponded to a dietary level of 0.25 and 0.40 mg/kg diet, improved the productive and reproductive performance of Gimmizah breeding hens. A decrease in plasma total cholesterol and an improvement in the bone mineralization were observed. The level of 0.25 mg/kg diet of organic Se was adequate to enrich eggs, which may be recommended for practical application and which would improve the consumer health benefit.

scholarly journals Hens That Exhibit Poorer Feed Efficiency Produce Eggs with Lower Albumen Quality and Are Prone to Being Overweight

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2986
Author(s):  
Doreen Onyinye Anene ◽  
Yeasmin Akter ◽  
Peter Campbell Thomson ◽  
Peter Groves ◽  
Sonia Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Egg Albumen ◽  
Amino Acid Concentrations ◽  
Stable Variable ◽  
Haugh Unit

Feed efficiency (FE) is an important measure of productivity in the layer industry; however, little is known about how FE differs between individual hens during the egg-laying cycle and the implications for egg quality parameters. Individual 25-week-old ISA Brown hens were observed for 42 days, ranked into three FE groups (n = 48 per High (HFE), Medium (MFE) and Low (LFE) FE groups and then monitored later in the laying cycle from 35–40 weeks. The groups exhibited different feed to egg conversion ratios (p < 0.001) from 35–40 weeks. Average daily feed intake and body weight were highest (p < 0.001) in the LFE group compared to the MFE and HFE groups, while albumen height, Haugh unit and amino acid concentrations of the albumen were significantly higher in the HFE groups compared to the LFE cohort (p < 0.001). This study concludes that FE status established in early lay is a stable variable until at least 40 weeks of age, and overweight, mid-laying hens that had poor FE produced inferior egg albumen quality measurements and composition. The distinct traits of the highly efficient hens and the poor feed efficient hens may provide important information to improving productivity in egg production.

scholarly journals Kafes Sistemi ve Yerleşim Sıklığının Yumurta Tavuklarının Performansı, Yumurta Kalitesi ve Yumurta Kabuğunun Mikrobiyal Yükü Üzerine Etkisi

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2004-2012
Author(s):  
Zeynep Yardım ◽  
Mustafa Akşit
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Internal Quality ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Cage System ◽  
Egg Shell

This study was carried out to determine the effects of two different cage systems (enriched and conventional) and low and high stocking densities on performance, egg quality and egg shell microorganisms. In study, two different genotypes were used to native (Atak-S) and foreign (Lohmann) hens occurred of 864 hens used. As the cage system, the battery type was used in the conventional system and the enriched cage type was used in the alternative system. The results indicated that genotype and cage system significantly affected egg production and egg mass in the laying period (18-76 weeks). It was determined that Lohmann genotype and conventional cages had significantly higher egg production and egg mass in this period. It was seen that hens consumed significantly higher feed in enriched cages than in conventional cages, and were significantly better feed conversion ratio in low stocking density compared to high stocking density. The effects of genotype and cages system on the quality characteristics of eggs were found to be significant, and it was determined quality characteristics of Lohmann eggs were better (especially eggshell quality. In addition, it was understood that the internal quality of the eggs in the conventional cages and the external quality characteristics of the eggs in the enriched system were positively affected. The total numbers of microorganisms were determined to be higher on shell of eggs from enriched cages than conventional cages. The total numbers of microorganisms were higher in enriched cage eggs compared to conventional cage eggs. However, stocking density was not a significant effect on the microbial load of the eggshell.

scholarly journals The effects of humic acid on egg production and egg traits of laying hen 

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 406-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kucukersan ◽  
K. Kucukersan ◽  
I. Colpan ◽  
E. Goncuoglu ◽  
Z. Reisli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Humic Acid ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Haugh Unit

The effects of humic acid on feed consumption, egg production, feed efficiency, egg weight and external and internal egg quality of laying hens were studied during feeding periods. A total of 180 (Hysex Brown) layers (36 weeks of age) were used in this experiment. There was one control and two experimental groups, each containing 60 hens and 4 subgroups. The experimental period lasted 16 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the supplementation of humic acid had a significant effect on feed consumption and feed efficiency. An increase in egg production was determined when humic acid was added to the diets at 30 g/t of feeds (91.70%) and 60 g/t of feeds (91.32%). There were no significant differences between the groups in egg shell thickness, egg shell breaking strength, yolk index, albumen index and Haugh unit. It can be therefore concluded that the dietary supplementation of humic acid at doses of 30 and 60 g/t feed can be used to improve egg production, egg weight and feed efficiency.

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