<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The aim of the experiment with 240 ISA Brown hens fed the diets with standard or decreased Ca level was to evaluate the effect of selected feed additives on laying performance and eggshell quality. The hens were allocated to 10 treatments, each containing 12 cages (replicates) of 2 birds. A 2 × 5 experimental arrangement was used. From 26 to 70 wks of age, experimental diets containing 3.20 or 3.70% Ca were used. The diets were either not supplemented, or supplemented with sodium butyrate, probiotic bacteria, herb extracts blend or chitosan. The decreased dietary Ca reduced eggshell quality indices in older hens (43-69 wks) (P&lt;0.05) without effect on performance indices. The addition of the probiotic, herb extracts, or chitosan increased the laying rate (P&lt;0.05). In older hens, i.e. at 69 wk, chitosan increased eggshell thickness and breaking strength, while herb extracts increased eggshell thickness (P&lt;0.05). There was no interaction between the experimental factors in performance and eggshell quality. The used feed additives had no influence on fatty acid profile of egg lipids, however diet supplementation with chitosan decreased cholesterol concentration in egg yolk lipids (P&lt;0.05). It can be concluded that such feed additives as probiotic, herb extracts, or chitosan may positively affect performance and eggshell quality, irrespective of Ca dietary level.</p></abstract>

The aim of the experiment with 240 ISA Brown hens fed the diets with standard or decreased Ca level was to evaluate the effect of selected feed additives on laying performance and eggshell quality. The hens were allocated to 10 treatments, each containing 12 cages (replicates) of 2 birds. A 2 × 5 experimental arrangement was used. From 26 to 70 wks of age, experimental diets containing 3.20 or 3.70% Ca were used. The diets were either not supplemented, or supplemented with sodium butyrate, probiotic bacteria, herb extracts blend or chitosan. The decreased dietary Ca reduced eggshell quality indices in older hens (43-69 wks) (P<0.05) without effect on performance indices. The addition of the probiotic, herb extracts, or chitosan increased the laying rate (P<0.05). In older hens, i.e. at 69 wk, chitosan increased eggshell thickness and breaking strength, while herb extracts increased eggshell thickness (P<0.05). There was no interaction between the experimental factors in performance and eggshell quality. The used feed additives had no influence on fatty acid profile of egg lipids, however diet supplementation with chitosan decreased cholesterol concentration in egg yolk lipids (P<0.05). It can be concluded that such feed additives as probiotic, herb extracts, or chitosan may positively affect performance and eggshell quality, irrespective of Ca dietary level.

Effect of selected feed additives on egg performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed a diet with standard or decreased calcium content

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The aim of the experiment with 240 ISA Brown hens fed the diets with standard or decreased Ca level was to evaluate the effect of selected feed additives on...

Effect of selected feed additives on egg performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed a diet with standard or decreased calcium content

Published Online: Jan 30, 2018

Page range: 167 - 183

Received: Oct 30, 2017

Accepted: Nov 20, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2017-0038

Keywords
laying hens, calcium, feed additives, eggshell quality, yolk fatty acid profile

© by Sylwester Świątkiewicz

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Effect of selected feed additives on egg performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed a diet with standard or decreased calcium content

Published Online: Jan 30, 2018

Page range: 167 - 183

Received: Oct 30, 2017

Accepted: Nov 20, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2017-0038

Keywordslaying hens, calcium, feed additives, eggshell quality, yolk fatty acid profile

© by Sylwester Świątkiewicz

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
laying hens, calcium, feed additives, eggshell quality, yolk fatty acid profile