• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.255-265
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• 2020

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of available phosphorus (AP) levels with or without supplemental phytase on the performance, egg quality, and serum biochemical parameters of laying hens. A total of 540 laying hens (40-week-old) were housed in cages and assigned to 6 dietary treatments with 5 replicates each, for 20 weeks. The treatments consisted of 0.20%, 0.25%, and 0.30% AP diets with or without phytase supplementation. During the 20-week period, egg production was lowest in hens fed the 0.20% AP diet; however, phytase supplementation in the diet completely corrected the adverse effect (P<0.05). No consistent difference was observed in egg production between hens fed the 0.25% and 0.30% AP diets and those fed the 0.20% and 0.30% AP diets with phytase supplementation. Similarly, egg mass was lowest in the 0.20% AP diet-fed group, and no difference in egg mass was observed in the 0.25% and 0.30% AP diet as well as the phytase-supplemented diet groups; however, egg mass was improved in the phytase-supplemented diet groups(P<0.05). Egg quality traits did not differ with dietary treatments. Serum alkaline phosphatase level showed a linear decrease (P<0.05) in the phytase-treated groups with increasing AP levels; moreover, a numerically linear increase (P<0.05) in serum Ca and P levels was observed in the phytase-treated groups. The results of this study indicate that phytase supplementation in the diet of laying hens could increase egg production and may lead to greater mineral absorption.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1503-1509
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• 2010

Forty-eight 40-wk-old Hi-sex laying hens were individually caged in an environmentally controlled house to evaluate the effect of garlic (Allium Sativum) juice administration on egg production, egg quality, and yolk cholesterol. Garlic juice was prepared by blending pealed garlic cloves with distilled water (1:1, w/w). Hens were randomly divided into four equal groups; one served as a control and the other three groups were individually gavaged, 3.75 ml, 7.5 ml, or 15 ml garlic juice, three times a week, which respectively represented 0.25, 0.50 and 1% of body weight. Egg production was recorded on a daily basis; egg weight, albumen height, albumen and yolk pH, Haugh unit, and bacterial count of E. coli-challenged eggs were recorded at day of oviposition (day-1) and after 5 and 10 days of storage at room temperature. Yolk cholesterol content was analyzed for five successive weeks. Garlic juice increased (p<0.05) egg weight and mass with no change in egg production intensity. Garlic juice administration recorded higher (p<0.05) albumen height and improvement in Haugh unit. Also, eggs from garlic-treated hens recorded lower (p<0.05) albumen and yolk pH when compared to eggs collected from control hens. Garlic reduced (p<0.05) the $log_{10}$ of bacterial count in egg contents linearly when challenged with E. coli. Egg-yolk cholesterol content was not influenced by garlic juice administration. It is concluded that garlic juice improved performance characteristics and may increase egg shelf life as indicated by egg quality improvement and lower bacterial count of E. coli-challenged eggs. The levels of garlic juice used in this study were insufficient to influence egg yolk cholesterol.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2002

The fresh eggs of African ostrich in Korea were used in this study to investigate their interior and exterior quality characteristics. In ostrich egg shape characteristics, long and short length were measured as 15.1~16.1 cm and 12.1~13.6 cm, respectively. The egg shape index was calculated as 81.0 and the egg shell showed a more g loss white in color than that of hen egg. Calculated breaking strength of egg shell and egg shell surface based on the equation were $41.155kg/cm^3$ and $804.7cm^2$, respectively. Average egg shell thickness including egg shell membrane was 1.89 mm and there are no differences among parts of the shell. The egg shell membrane thickness was 0.10 mm showing relatively thick in equator compared with that of blunt end. The ave rage number of egg shell pores was counted as $19.7/cm^2$ showing relatively high number of egg shell pores at point end and the total number of egg shell pores in an egg was estimated as 15,241. The relative port ion of each parts based on egg weight was estimated as 25.1% for egg yolk, 58.2% for egg white, 16.7% for egg shell and the ratio of egg yolk to egg white (Y/W) was 0.43. The average diameter and the ave rage height of ostrich egg white were 19.7 cm and 13.2 mm, respectively. Calculated the H.U (Haugh Unit) was -69.7 and the pH was 8.3. In ostrich egg yolk, the diameter, the height, the egg yolk index, and it's pH were calculated as 14.4 cm, 29.4 mm, 0.20, and 6.6, respectively. And the egg yolk color showed a more thin in yellow chroma compared with that of hen egg as due to it's thicker membrane.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to assess the external and internal quality traits of eggs in wholesale egg market in Colombo, Sri Lanka and the effect of storage period in egg quality traits in the same market after receiving the eggs. First, a total of 482 fresh eggs were randomly collected from the above market and external egg quality traits were determined and recorded according to the definitions given in the Specification for Chicken Egg SLS 959:1992. After that, a total of 288 fresh eggs were randomly collected and various external and internal egg quality traits were measured and recorded according to the standard procedures over a storage period of 1, 3 and 5 d after receiving the fresh eggs to the wholesale market. Information about the shops was also collected using a pretested questionnaire. Using the recorded data, shape index, Haugh unit, albumen index and yolk index were calculated for each egg. Average weight, width, length and shape index of the eggs in the sample was 59.96 g, 4.33 cm, 5.78 cm and 75.03, respectively. Average shape index value was much closer to the standard value of 74. From the total sample 80.5% eggs had a normal and sound shape. However only 60.37% of the eggs are in the desirable quality range specified in SLS 959:1992, when the overall shell quality of the sample is considered based on shell cleanliness, defects and shape. The results of the current study indicated that eggs had significant (p<0.05) deterioration of all internal quality parameters tested with increasing storage time. However the effect was not significant (p>0.05) between the storage periods of 3 and 5 d after receiving eggs except for yolk color and yolk height. Desirable category of eggs had reduced and rejections had increased with the storage period. Main problems associated with the particular market were less space availability, higher percentages of dirty eggs, unavailability of proper packaging materials, no standard packaging system for eggs, and not implementing a standard grading system for eggs. Therefore the results of this study suggest that proper egg handling and storage conditions such as low temperature storage may be implemented to increase the proportion of desirable quality eggs in the above market.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.391-397
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• 2015

Two hundred and sixteen Institut de S$\acute{e}$lection Animale (ISA) brown layers (40 wks of age) were studied for 6 wks to examine the effect of microalgae powder (MAP) on egg production, egg quality, blood lipid profile, and fatty acid concentration of egg yolk. Dietary treatments were as follows: i) CON (basal diet), ii) 0.5% MAP (CON+0.5% Schizochytrium powder), and iii) 1.0% MAP (CON+1.0% Schizochytrium powder). From 44 to 46 wks, egg production was higher in 1.0% MAP treatment than in control treatment (linear, p = 0.034); however, there was no difference on the egg production from 40 to 43 wks (p>0.05). Serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were significantly reduced in the groups fed with MAP, compared to those in groups fed with control diets (Quadratic, p = 0.034 and p = 0.039, respectively). Inclusion of 0.5% MAP in the diet of layers improved egg yolk color, compared with hens fed with basal diet at 46 wks (quadratic, p = 0.044). Eggshell thickness was linearly increased in MAP-fed treatments at 46th wk (p<0.05). Concentration of yolk docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3) was increased in treatment groups fed with MAP (linear, p<0.05). The n-6 fatty acids, n-6/n-3 fatty acid, and unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid were decreased in treatment groups fed with MAP (linear, p<0.05). These results suggest that MAP improved the egg production and egg quality, and may affect serum lipid metabolites in the layers. In addition, MAP increases yolk DHA levels, and deceases n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1447-1455
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• 2011

Sixty four, 30-week-old, Lohmann Brown-Lite laying hens were randomly allocated to one of four treatments with eight replicates per treatment and two hens per replicate for a 10 week study. The control diet was a high energy (11.81 MJ/kg) diet and the moderate energy (11.39 MJ/kg) diets were formulated dropping the level of animal fat. The three moderate energy diets were fed either unsupplemented (0.0%) or supplemented with 0.05 or 0.10% glycine. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed intake or feed conversion between birds fed the unsupplemented moderate energy and high energy diets. Significant differences were detected concerning egg components and quality measurements as assessed by albumen percentage (p = 0.02), yolk weight (p = 0.02), yolk percentage (p<0.01), yolk to albumen ratio (p<0.01) and yolk color (p = 0.01) between birds fed the unsupplemented moderate and high energy diets. Glycine supplementation of the moderate energy diet linearly increased (p<0.01) egg weight and feed intake with no significant (p>0.05) effects on egg production or feed conversion. Glycine supplementation significantly increased egg content (p<0.01), albumen weight (p<0.01) and percentage (p<0.01) as well as yolk weight (p<0.01) while yolk percentage (p = 0.04), yolk to albumen ratio (p = 0.01) and egg shell percentage (p<0.01) were linearly decreased. Supplementation with glycine produced a tendency (p = 0.09) towards an increase in the percentage of large eggs (63-72.9 g) produced with a concomitant decrease in the percentage of small (below 53 g) eggs (p = 0.09). The overall results of this study indicate that glycine supplementation of laying hen rations has the potential to increase egg production and weight. These increases appeared to be mediated through increases in feed intake and the ileal digestibility of fat and energy.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2000

A feeding trial was carried out effect of supplemental Lactobacillus on productivity, egg quality and intestinal microflora in 320 21 weeks - old laying hens for 12 week. Supplemented Lactobacillus strains were Lactobacillus amylovorus LLA7(LA), Lactobacillus crispatus LLA9(LC) and Lactobacillus vaginalis LLA11(LV). Three strains mixed to basal diet which containing 2,800㎉/kg ME, 16% CP with none, LA, LC, LV, LA+LC, LA+LV, LC+LV and LC+LC+LV. Supplemental level was 10(sup)7 cfu/g diet. Egg production was tended to increase with adding Lactobacilus, but not difference significantly. Average egg weight was heavier in adding Lactobacillrs compared to the none, and heaviest in LA+LV, LC+LV(P〈0.05). In periodic observation, the gap of egg weight with adding Lactobacillus or not was severe persisting laying periods. The diet containg MC or LV was better than LA, which means the difference by Lactobacillus strains for egg weight. Daily egg mass also increased in adding Lactobacillus about 1.1 to 2.3 g/hen, but not difference significantly. Feed intake and feed conversion were not difference regardless Lactobacillus strains and laying periods. Haugh unit improved with adding Lactobacillus. Cecal Lactobacillus spp. was increased with adding Lactobacillus(P〈0.05), didn't observed E. coli depression. In summary, supplemental Lactobacillus could improve for egg production, egg weight, egg mass and egg white. And those of effect expect much beneficial with mixing Lactobacillus which established well as single strain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.850-854
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• 2001

Feed intake, egg weight, rate of lay and shell quality characteristics were measured in an Australian tinted egg laying strain from 31-42 weeks of age, housed at $30^{\circ}C$ and provided drinking water at 5, 10, 17 and $30^{\circ}C$. In a second experiment a European brown egg laying strain (59-66 weeks of age) housed at $30^{\circ}C$ were provided drinking water at 5, 10, 15 and $30^{\circ}C$. Brown egg layers given cool drinking water (5, 10 and $15^{\circ}C$) consumed more (p<0.05) feed and produced significantly (p<0.05) thicker and heavier shells than hens given drinking water at ambient temperature ($30^{\circ}C$). However the tinted egg layers given chilled drinking water only consumed more (p<0.05) feed and produced thicker (p<0.05) and heavier (p<0.05) shells when consuming drinking water at $5^{\circ}C$. As the tinted egg layers acclimatised to the environmental temperature there was a decline in the influence of cool drinking water on feed intake and shell quality. For brown egg layers, however, cool drinking water resulted in an improvement (p<0.05) in feed intake and shell quality over the entire period birds were provided cool water. These studies suggest that there is potential for using cool drinking water to improve feed intake and shell quality of hens housed under hot conditions. The combination of high ambient temperature and high drinking water temperature, a common occurrence in Australian layer sheds, should be avoided.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2013

With an increasing concern on laying hen welfare, barn system has appeared as one of the alternatives to replace the conventional cage. This study was conducted to compare the early laying performance and egg quality at the barn system with those at the conventional cage. A total of 288 shaver-579 brown layers were used for 9 weeks ($21^{st}$ to $30^{th}$ weeks of age) feeding study. Feed consumption and egg weight were significantly (P<0.01) higher at barn than at cage. However, there were no significant differences between two housing systems on hen day egg production (HDEP), egg mass, body weight, feed efficiency and livability. In case of egg quality parameters, shell thickness, albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly (P<0.05) different between two systems. Haugh unit and albumen height were significantly higher in eggs produced at cage (88.97 and 8.16 mm) compared than those produced at barn (83.11 and 6.87 mm), whereas shell thickness was thicker in eggs produced at barn than those produced at cage. Shape index, breaking strength, blood spots and yolk index data were not influenced significantly by the types of housing system. To implement welfare bestowing production, this study showed that the barn system can replace the conventional cage without serious sacrifices on starting phase egg production. In addition, this study suggested that the barn system need to be optimized in view of daily feed consumption.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1476-1481
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with chito-oligosccharide (COS) on egg production, nutrient digestibility, egg quality and blood profiles in laying hens. A total of 240 Hy-line Brown laying hens were randomly allocated into one of the following 5 dietary treatments: i) CON, basal diet; ii) ANT, basal diet+44 mg/kg avilamycin; iii) COS0.2, basal diet+200 mg/kg COS; iv) COS0.4, basal diet+400 mg/kg COS; v) ANTCOS, basal diet+200 mg/kg COS+22 mg/kg avilamycin. The experiment lasted for 6 wk. No change in egg weight (p>0.05) was observed during the trial period. Egg production in ANTCOS treatment was improved (p<0.05) when compared to CON during weeks 4-6. The birds in the COS0.2, COS0.4 and ANTCOS groups had higher (p<0.05) Haugh unit than those fed CON and ANT diets at the end of the $6^{th}$ wk. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen in CON group was lower (p<0.05) than in other treatments. The white blood cell (WBC) concentration of birds in the COS0.4 and ANTCOS group was higher (p<0.05) than that of birds in other groups at the end of the $6^{th}$ wk. In addition, the differences of WBC counts between the beginning and end of the experiment in COS0.4 and ANTCOS groups were higher (p<0.05) than in CON and ANT groups. At the end of the experiment, the birds fed ANTCOS diet showed higher (p<0.05) total blood protein concentration than those fed CON or ANT diets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of COS appeared to increase egg production and quality by increasing nutrient digestibility. Additionally, COS improved WBC and total protein concentration.