Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.5536/KJPS.2022.49.4.189

Comparison of Egg Productivity, Egg Quality, Blood Parameters and Pre-Laying Behavioral Characteristics of Laying Hens and Poor Laying Hens  

Woo-Do, Lee (Poultry Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science)
Hyunsoo, Kim (Poultry Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science)
Jiseon, Son (Poultry Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science)
Eui-Chul, Hong (Poultry Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science)
Hee-Jin, Kim (Poultry Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science)
Hwan-Ku, Kang (Poultry Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Poultry Science / v.49, no.4, 2022 , pp. 189-197 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study was conducted to compare the egg productivity, egg quality, and blood characteristics of laying hens with different laying rates, and the frequency and cumulative duration of the sitting behavior observed before laying was investigated. Twelve 45-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to two treatment groups with three replicates. Treatment groups were classified as layers laying over 80%(high egg performance layers; HEP) and layers laying below 50%(poor egg performance layers; PEP). The experiment lasted 4 weeks. HEP showed higher hen-house egg production ratio and egg mass and lower feed conversion ratio(FCR) (P<0.05) compared with PEP, although egg weight was higher in PEP (P<0.05). In terms of egg quality, PEP showed differences in eggshell quality (eggshell color, eggshell thickness, and eggshell weight) (P<0.05). Additionally, HEP showed high triglycerides(TG), and PEP showed high alanine transaminase(ALT) level (P<0.05) in serum collected in the morning. In the afternoon, the HEP showed higher lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) levels (P<0.05). No differences in the Ca: P ratio were observed between layers with different laying rates. One hour before egg laying, HEP exhibited sitting behavior 4 times on average, each lasting 25 minutes. In conclusion, egg production and quality differ between HEP and PEP, and HEP showed frequent sitting behavior before egg laying. However, additional research is necessary to explore approaches other than specific behavioral observation to distinguish poor layers in the flock for application in farms.
Keywords
laying hen; egg production; egg quality; blood characteristic; behavior observation;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 6  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Abd-Razig NM, Sabahelkhier MK, Idris OF 2010 Effect of gum Arabic (Acacia senegal L. Willd) on lipid profile and performance of laying hens. J Appl Biosci 32:2002-2007.
2 Ahmadi F, Rahimi F 2011 Factors affecting quality and quantity of egg production in laying hens: a review. World Appl Sci J 12(3):372-384.
3 Ani AO, Nnamani ME 2011 The physical and laying characteristics of Golden sex linked hens under the humid tropical environment. Pak J Nutr 10(11):1041-1047.   DOI
4 Bish CL, Beane WL, Ruszler PL, Cherry JA 1985 Body weight influence on egg production. Poult Sci 64(12):2259-2262.   DOI
5 Bovera F, Loponte R, Pero ME, Cutrignelli MI, Calabro S, Musco N, Vassalotti G, Panettieri V, Lombardi P, Piccolo G, Meo CD, Siddi G, Fliegerova K, Moniello G 2018 Laying performance, blood profiles, nutrient digestibility and inner organs traits of hens fed an insect meal from Hermetia illucens larvae. Res Vet Sci 120:86-93.   DOI
6 Brady K, Liu HC, Hicks JA, Long JA, Porter TE 2021 Transcriptome analysis during follicle development in Turkey hens with low and high egg production. Front Genet 12:619196.
7 Chen X, He Z, Li X, Song J, Huang M, Shi X, Li X, Li J, Xu G, Zheng J 2021 Cuticle deposition duration in the uterus is correlated with eggshell cuticle quality in White Leghorn laying hens. Sci Rep 11(1):1-12.   DOI
8 Choi JH, Namkung H, Paik IK 2004 Feed consumption pattern of laying hens in relation to time of oviposition. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 17(3):371-373.   DOI
9 Clevenger LC, Hall GO 1935 Head type in relation to annual egg production and egg weight. Poult Sci 14(1):54-60.   DOI
10 Cole RK, Hutt FB 1953 Normal ovulation in non-laying hens. Poult Sci 32(3):481-492.   DOI
11 Cronin GM, Butler KL, Desnoyers MA, Barnett JL 2005 The use of nest boxes by hens in cages: what does it mean for welfare Pages 121-128 In: Proceedings of the 7th European Symposium on Poultry Welfare?, Lublin, Poland.
12 Deng W, Dong XF, Tong JM, Xie TH, Zhang Q 2012 Effects of an aqueous alfalfa extract on production performance, egg quality and lipid metabolism of laying hens. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 96(1):85-94.   DOI
13 Du Y, Liu L, He Y, Dou T, Jia J, Ge CJBPS. 2020. Endocrine and genetic factors affecting egg laying performance in chickens: a review. Br Poult Sci 61(5):538-549.   DOI
14 Fitsum M, Aliy M 2014 Poultry production system and role of poultry production in tigray region, northern Ethiopia: a review. J Biol Agric Healthc 4(27):154.
15 Glatz PC 2001 Effect of poor feather cover on feed intake and production of aged laying hens. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 14(4):553-558.   DOI
16 Hanafy AM, Elnesr SS 2021 Induction of reproductive activity and egg production by gonadotropin-releasing hormone in non-laying hens. Reprod Domest Anim 56(9):1184-1191.   DOI
17 Hagger C, Marguerat C, Steiger-Stafl D, Stranzinger G. 1989 Plumage condition, feed consumption, and egg production relationships in laying hens. Poult Sci 68(2):221-225.   DOI
18 Harrison PC, Casey JM, Adair RL, Reeves JJ. 1974 Fluctuation of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and pituitary gonadotropins in laying and non-laying hens. Poult Sci 53(2):554-559.   DOI
19 Hunniford ME, Widowski TM 2016. Rearing environment and laying location affect pre-laying behaviour in enriched cages. Appl Anim Behav Sci 181:205-213.   DOI
20 Kothari D, Oh JS, Kim JH, Lee WD, Kim SK 2021 Effect of dietary supplementation of fermented pine needle extract on productive performance, egg quality, and serum lipid parameters in laying hens. Animals 11(5):1475.
21 Kryeziu AJ, Mestani N, Kamberi M, Berisha H 2011 Effect of hen age and oviposition time on egg quality parameters. Pages 1-9 In: Proceedings of XIV European Symposium on the Quality of Eggs and Egg Products and XX European Symposium on the Quality of Poultry Meat, Leipzig, Germany.
22 Kuang H, Yang F, Zhang Y, Wang T, Chen G 2018 The impact of egg nutrient composition and its consumption on cholesterol homeostasis. Cholesterol 2018:6303810.
23 Lee WD, Kothari D, Moon SG, Kim J, Kim KI, Ga GW, Kim YG, Kim SK 2022 Evaluation of non-fermented and fermented Chinese chive juice as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters of broilers. Animals 12(20):2742.
24 Lee WD, Kothari D, Niu KM, Lim JM, Park DH, Ko J, Eom K, Kim SK 2021 Superiority of coarse eggshell as a calcium source over limestone, cockle shell, oyster shell, and fine eggshell in old laying hens. Sci Rep 11(1):1-10.   DOI
25 Li J, Zhang C, Ma R, Qi R, Wan Y, Liu W, Zhao T, Li Y, Zhan, K 2021 Effects of poor plumage conditions on egg production, antioxidant status and gene expression in laying hens. Trop Anim Health Prod 53(1):1-7.   DOI
26 Lim CI, Rana MM, Kang HK, Ryu KS 2020 Effects of dietary available phosphorus levels and phytase supplementation on performance, egg quality and serum biochemical parameters of Hy-Line Brown laying hens from 40 to 60 weeks of age. Korean J Poult Sci 47(4):255-265.   DOI
27 Ma Y, Shi Y, Li L, Xie C, Zou X 2018 Toxicological effects of mercury chloride on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemistry, and histopathology of liver and kidney in laying hens. Biol Trace Elem Res 185(2):465-474.   DOI
28 Manwar SJ, Moudgal RP, Sastry KVH, Mohan J, Tyagi JBS, Raina R 2006 Role of nitric oxide in ovarian follicular development and egg production in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Theriogenology 65(7):1392-1400.   DOI
29 Taylor TG 1970 The provision of calcium and carbonate for laying hens. Pages 108-128 In: Proceedings of the Fourth Nutrition Conference for Feed Manufacturers. Churchill, London.
30 Taylor TG, Kirkley J 1967 The absorption and excretion of minerals by laying hens in relation to egg shell formation. Br Poult Sci 8(4):289-295.   DOI
31 Tumova E, Ledvinka Z, Skrivan M, Englmaierova M, Zita, L 2008 Effect of time of oviposition on egg quality in egg and meat type hens. Sci Agric Bohem 39(3):269-272.
32 Wall H, Tauson R, Elwinger, K 2004 Pop hole passages and welfare in furnished cages for laying hens. Br Poult Sci 45(1):20-27.   DOI
33 Wang J, Wan C, Shuju Z, Yang Z, Celi P, Ding X, Bai S, Zeng Q, Mao X, Xu S, Zhang K, Li, M 2021 Differential analysis of gut microbiota and the effect of dietary Enterococcus faecium supplementation in broiler breeders with high or low laying performance. Poult Sci 100(2):1109-1119.   DOI
34 Wang Z, Meng G, Bai Y, Liu R, Du Y, Su L 2017 Comparative transcriptome analysis provides clues to molecular mechanisms underlying blue-green eggshell color in the Jinding duck (Anas platyrhynchos). BMC Genom 18(1):1-14.
35 Wood-Gush DGM, Gilbert AB 1969 Observations on the laying behaviour of hens in battery cages. Br Poult Sci 10(1):29-36.   DOI
36 Yalcin S, Uzunoglu K, Duyum HM, Eltan O 2012 Effects of dietary yeast autolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) on performance, egg traits, some blood characteristics and antibody production of laying hens. Livest Sci 145(1-3):13-20.   DOI
37 Zaheer K 2015 An updated review on chicken eggs: production, consumption, management aspects and nutritional benefits to human health. Food Sci Nutr 6(13):1208.  
38 Morris BA, Taylor TG 1967 The daily food consumption of laying hens in relation to egg formation. Br Poult Sci 8(4):251-257.   DOI
39 Mckay JC 2008 The genetics of modern commercial poultry. In: Proceedings of the XXIII World's Poultry Congress, Brisbane, Australia.
40 Miller ER, Wilson HR, Harms RH 1978 The relationship of production status to serum calcium and phosphorus in hens. Poult Sci 57(1):242-245.   DOI
41 Neijat M, House JD, Guenter W, Kebreab E 2011 Calcium and phosphorus dynamics in commercial laying hens housed in conventional or enriched cage systems. Poult Sci 90(10):2383-2396.
42 Nii T 2022 Relationship between Mucosal barrier function of the oviduct and intestine in the productivity of laying hens. J Poult Sci 59(2):105-113.   DOI
43 Nkukwana TT 2018 Global poultry production: current impact and future outlook on the South African poultry industry. S Afr J Anim Sci 48(5):869-884.   DOI
44 Okazaki Y, Totsuka K, Fukazawa A, Watanabe E, Toyomizu M, Ishibashi T 1993 Relationships of oviposition, feed consumption and body weight to plasma amino acid concentration of laying hens. Animal Sci Technol 64:364-370.
45 Perez-Bonilla A, Novoa S, Garcia J, Mohiti-Asli M, Frikha M, Mateos GG 2012 Effects of energy concentration of the diet on productive performance and egg quality of brown egg-laying hens differing in initial body weight. Poult Sci 91(12):3156-3166.   DOI
46 Ramos, NC, Craig, JV 1988 Pre-laying behavior of hens kept in single-or multiple-hen cages. Appl Anim Behav Sci 19(3-4):305-313.   DOI
47 Ren J, Yang Q, Tang Q, Liu R, Hu J, Li L, Bai L, Liu, H 2022 Metabonomics reveals the main small molecules differences between green and white egg shells in ducks. Ital J Anim Sci 21(1):208-216.   DOI
48 Son J, Lee WD, Kim HJ, Kang BS, Kang HK 2022 Effect of providing environmental enrichment into aviary house on the welfare of laying hens. Animals 12(9):1165.
49 Rhee YC 1986 Comparison of energy metabolisms between laying and non-laying hen. Korean J Poult Sci 13(1):31-40.
50 Sherwin CM, Nicol CJ 1993 A descriptive account of the pre-laying behaviour of hens housed individually in modified cages with nests. Appl Anim Behav Sci 38(1):49-60.   DOI
51 Sparks NH 2011 Eggshell pigments-from formation to deposition. Avian Biol Res 4(4):162-167.   DOI