• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of feeding various Lactobacillus on production performance, nutrients digestibility, intestinal microflora, and fecal $NH_{3}$ gas emission in laying hens. Three hundred and sixty ISA Brown layers, 21 weeks of age, were randomly allotted to nine treatments, with low replicates per treatment. Nine treatments consisted of Control(no Lactobacillus), Lactobacillus crispatus avibrol(LCB: KFCC-11195), Lactobaciilus reuteri avibro2(LRB: KFCC-11196), Lactobacillus crispatus avihenl(LCH: KFCC-11197), Lactobacillus vaginalis avihen2(LVH: KFCC-11198). Each Lactobacillus was added at two levels ($10^{4}$and $10^{7}$ cfu/g diets). Egg production, and egg weight were measured daily. A metabolism trial was conducted following the 12-week feeding trial, during which egg qualities, intestinal microflora and fecal $NH_{3}$ gas emission were examined. Egg production and daily egg mass improved significantly by the addition of various Lactobacillus(P<0.05), of which effect was more notable during the latter part of the feeding trial. But, no significant differences were found among Lactobacillus strains and between two levels of supplementation. Egg weight and feed intake showed no difference among all treatments. Feed conversion ratio of birds fed lactobacillus was significantly improved compared to that of the Control(P<0.05), but not different among lactobacillus treatments. Digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and crude ash improved significantly in lactobacillus treatments(P<0.05). However, there were not statistically different by adding levels and strains. Total counts of Lactobacillus spp. in ileum of layers fed Lactobacillus were significantly higher than that of the control, but no consistent trend was found in cecum. There were no significant differences in intestinal yeast and anaerobes counts among all treatments. The Lactobaciilus supplementation did not exert my effect on the eggshell quality and Haugh unit. Fecal $NH_{3}$ gas emission decreased significantly in Lactobacillus treatments, and showed no difference between the two supplementation levels. From the result of this study, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus, regardless of their species, Improves the laying performance and decreases the fecal ammonia gas emission. The proper level of supplementation appears to be $10^{4}$ cfu/g of diet.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2002

A feeding trial was conducted to study the effects of a live yeast, Pichia farinosa culture(PF), on the production performance and intestinal microflora in laying hens. One hundred and sixty ISA Brown layers, 21 weeks of age, were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, with four replicates per treatment. Dietary treatments consisted of four levels (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5%) of PF added to a com-soybean meal based diet. Egg production, egg weight, feed intake and fred conversion ratio(FCR) were measured. Egg qualifies were examined at 25th and 29th weeks of age. A metabolism trial was conducted following the feeding trial, during which intestinal microflora, nutrient digestibility and fecal NH3 gas emission were measured. Egg production of birds fed 0.1 and 0.3% PF were significantly higher than those from birds fed 0 and 0.5% PF(P<0.05). Daily egg mass of 0.3% PF increased significantly compared to that of 0% PF. There was no difference in egg weight among all treatments. Feed conversion ratio was significantly improved as the PF level increased. No significant difference was found in eggshell quality and Haugh unit at both 25 and 29 weeks of age. Viable count of ileal Lactobacillus spp. increased significantly as the rf level increased. However, the total number of yeast and anaerobes in ileum were similar among all treatments. Cecal Lactobacillus spp. and yeast counts showed no difference among all treatments. Fecal NH$_{3}$ gas emission of layers fed PF decreased significantly by the PF supplementation. From the result of this experiment, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation of the live yeast Pichia farinosa improves the laying performance and decreases the fecal ammonia gas emission.