• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.95-104
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• 2024

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of enzymolysis fermentation of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) on egg production performance, egg quality, lipid metabolism, serum reproductive hormone levels, and the mRNA expression of the ovarian hormone receptor of laying hens in the late-laying stage. Methods: A total of 360 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (age, 390 days) were randomly categorized into four groups. Hens in the control (C) group were fed a basic diet devoid of CHMs, the crushed CHM (CT), fermented CHM (FC), and enzymatically fermented CHM (EFT) groups received diets containing 2% crushed CHM, 2% fermented CHM, and 2% enzymatically fermented CHM, respectively. Results: Compared with crushed CHM, the acid detergent fiber, total flavonoids, and total saponins contents of fermented CHM showed improvement (p<0.05); furthermore, the neutral and acid detergent fiber, total flavonoids, and total saponins contents of enzymatically fermented CHM improved (p<0.05). At 5 to 8 weeks, hens in the FC and EFT groups showed increased laying rates, haugh unit, albumin height, yolk color, shell thickness, and shell strength compared with those in the C group (p<0.05). Compared with the FC group, the laying rate, albumin height, and Shell thickness in the EFT group was increased (p<0.05). Compared with the C, CT, and FC groups, the EFT group showed reduced serum total cholesterol and increased serum luteinizing hormone levels and mRNA expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that the ETF group improved the laying rate and egg quality and regulated the lipid metabolism in aged hens. The mechanism underlying this effect was likely related to cell wall degradation of CHM and increased serum levels of luteinizing hormone and mRNA expression of the ovarian hormone receptor.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of age of laying hens on egg internal and external qualities. A total of 8,300 eggs were randomly collected from 15 grading & packaging (GP) centers, and 50 eggs per farm during April to May in 2015. Age of laying hens ranged from 18 to 65 weeks of age and they were classified into 5 age groups (18~25, 26~35, 36~45, 46~55, and 56~65 weeks). Egg weight increased, but the Haugh unit decreased as the age of laying hens increased. Yolk color was higher in eggs laid from 25~35 weeks of laying hens compared with that of 18~25-weeks-old chickens. The incidence of dirty eggs was highest (P<0.05) in 18~25 week group and remained constant after 26 weeks. Among eggshell defects, speckled and pimpled eggs increased as the age of laying hens increased. The incidence of calcium deposits and misshapen eggs was highest during 18~25 weeks of age and remained constant after 26 weeks. The percentage of total eggshell cracks increased as the age of laying hens increased. Among eggshell cracks, star- and hair-like cracks were frequently noted. The percentage of meat spot was higher than that of blood spot and their incidence was highest among the 56~65 week group. Age of laying hens significantly increased egg weight, incidence of pimpled or speckled eggs, star- or hair-like cracks, and meat spot. On the other hand, a significant negative interaction between age of laying hens and the Haugh unit was noted. In conclusion, our study revealed that the age of laying hens affected internal and external egg qualities.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.183-191
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• 2018

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus, medicinal plants extract, and essential oil on laying performance, cecal microflora, relative organic weight, leucocyte profiles in laying hens against Salmonella gallinarum. A total of 100 Hy-Line Brown laying hens of 65 weeks of age were assigned into 5 dietary treatments supplemented with no antibiotic (negative control), antibiotic (positive control), Lactobacillus 0.1% (LB), medicinal plants extract 100 ppm (MPE), herb extract 100 ppm (EO). After 7 days of treatment, the 20 hens in each treatment group were divided into challenge group (n=10) and non-challenge group (n=10) for oral administration of Salmonella gallinarums, and were maintained in the same dietary treatments for two additional weeks. Laying hens were selected 20 by each treatment, splitting up into oral Salmonella group and nontreated group. The feeding trial lasted for one weeks and Salmonella gallinarum was orally administered for two weeks. Egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio were calculated and cecal microflora, relative organ, and blood were collected at the end of experiment. Compared with the control, laying hens fed Lactobacillus, medical plant extract, and essential oil were not observed to change of laying performance. Salmonella count increased significantly when Salmonella gallinarum was orally administered (P<0.05) but coliform bacteria and Lactobacillus counts were not affected. The relative organs weight was not different in hens with oral administration of Salmonella gallinarum and also in hens fed Lactobacillus, medical plant extract, and essential oil. H/L ratio was not significantly different, but total leucocyte level was somewhat increased in the treatment with oral administration of Salmonella gallinarum and more leucocyte increased in laying hens fed Lactobacillus, medical plant extract, and essential oil than control.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.177-185
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• 1992

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between frequency of soft and broken eggs and the economic traits for colored laying hens using the data sampled 7 times in Korea from 1985 to 1991. In addition, the correlation coefficients of frequency of soft and broken eggs on the economic traits for colored laying hens in order to decrease the frequency of soft and broken eggs were studied. The results obtained were summarized as follows ： 1. For colored laying hens, mean of the sexual maturity(SM) was 163.6 days, hen-day egg Production(HDEP) was 79.49％, hen-housed egg Production(HHEP) was 272.9 eggs, egg weight (EW) was 62.69g and the frequency of soft and broken eggs was 1.363％ during 18∼72wks. For white laying hens, SM was 157.2 days, HDEP was 77.87％, HHEP was 265.1 eggs, EW was 60. 26g and the frequency of soft and broken eggs (FSBE) was 1.174％ during 18∼72wks. 2. Statistical significances were observed in laying viability, SM, HDEP, FR, BW and FSBE during 18 ∼72wks and 18 ∼78wks by year for colored laying hens. 3. Sexual maturity was shortened from 168.5 days to 155.9 days. FSBE decreased from 1.4∼l.69％ to 0.94∼o.89％ during 18∼72wks, and HDEP was increased from 74.5∼75.1％ to 77.8∼80.6％, HHEP was increased to 302.0∼304.6 eggs and FSBE was increased from 1.54∼2.02％ to 0.98％ during 18∼78wks in colored laying hens. 4. Estimate of correlation coefficients between FSBE and trait of SM, EW, 72 wks BW were 0.3985, 0.1072, 0.4225, and those of HDEP, HHEP, FR were -0.5662, -2896, -0.245 during 18∼72wks In colored laying hens, respectively. 5. Estimate of correlation coefficients between FSBE and traits of SM, EW, 78wks BW were 0.3791, 0.1171, 0.4609, and those of HDEP, HHEP, FR were -0.5041, -0.2372, -0.2421 during 18∼78wks in colored laying hens, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.533-534
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• 2011

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.573-581
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplemental methionine, lysine, choline, and sulfur on laying performance, metabolic parameters, and egg quality of hens fed diets containing sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) during the peak laying period. Lohman layers (n = 144), 30-wk of age as 6 replicate cages of 4 hens, were allocated randomly to receive basal diets containing either 22% corn (B) or 22% sorghum (BS) and diets BS plus 0.57% methionine, 0.66% lysine, 0.47% choline, or 0.05% sulfur for 98 d. Feed intake (FI) and egg production (EP) were recorded daily, egg weight (EW) was measured bi-weekly, and body weight (BW) was measured monthly. A sample of 12 eggs from each experimental group was collected every month to evaluate egg quality. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for metabolite concentrations. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA as repeated measures and significant differences between the experimental groups were assessed using Duncan's Multiple Range test. Partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet did not affect BW, EP, and FCR but increased FI by 5.7% and EW by 2.4%. The effects of additives on laying performance were variable. Except for serum total protein (STP) concentration, other metabolic parameters were not affected by partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet. Hens fed diet BS had lower SPT concentration than hens fed diet B. Except for methionine supplementation, other supplements ameliorated depression in STP concentration. The additives did not affect other metabolic parameters. Egg quality responses to the experimental diets were also variable. Partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet did not affect eggshell characteristics (both thickness and stiffness), whereas it had variable effects on inner egg quality parameters (increased yolk index, depressed yolk color, and unaltered albumen index and Haugh unit). In conclusion, laying hen diets could include low-tannin sorghum (0.26%) up to 22% without necessitating extra supplements to overcome compromised performance.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2009

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary acid hydrolysates of cocoon on laying performance, egg quality, blood level of immune substance and cholesterol in laying hens. The animals used in the experiment were a total of 240 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (41 weeks old). Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet), 2) SP1 (basal diet + acid hydrolysates of cocoon 0.05%), 3) SP2 (basal diet + acid hydrolysates of cocoon 0.1%) and 4) SP3(basal diet + acid hydrolysates of cocoon 0.2%) twelve laying hens were allotted to a block (pen) with five replicated. Through the whole period of experiment, egg production, egg weight, egg shell breaking strength and egg shell thickness were no significant difference. However, acid hydrolysates of cocoon treatments (SP1, SP2, SP3) significantly increase their egg yolk height and Haugh unit compared to control (P<0.05). IgG and WBC (white blood cell) contents in blood were higher in SP1, SP2, SP3 treatment compared to control (P<0.05). However, albumin and total protein content in blood were no significant difference. Phospholipid, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol contents in serum were higher in SP1, SP2, SP3 treatment compared to control (P<0.05). In conclusion, supplement dietary acid hydrolysates of cocoon improved egg yolk height, Haugh unit, and blood level of phospholipid, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol in laying hen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1425-1434
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• 2011

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of the processing method of common vetch seed (CVS) (Vicia sativa) on laying performance, egg quality, metabolic parameters and liver histopatology during the peak production period in hens. Lohman layers, 46 wk of age in 6 replicate cages each containing 4 hens, were allocated randomly to one of four dietary treatments. Diets were control (C) diet containing no common vetch and experimental diets containing 25% raw common vetch (RCV), 25% soaked in water for 72 h with exchange of water every 24 h (SCV) and 25% soaked&boiled at $100^{\circ}C$ for 30 minute common vetch (SBCV). Inclusion of RCV into the diet deteriorated all laying performance variables. SCV did not alleviate the adverse effect of raw common vetch on feed intake, egg weight, feed conversion, final weight and weight change. SCV partially alleviated egg production (p<0.001). SBCV diminished the adverse effect on feed intake, egg weight, feed conversion, final weight and weight change compared to raw vicia sativa (p<0.001). No significant difference was detected between SBCV and the control group in terms of egg production, feed conversion, final weight and weight change. Regardless of the processing method, all the common vetch groups had lower shell strength compared to the control group. Haugh units did differ between all groups (p<0.001). Inclusion of RCV and SCV into the basal diet decreased triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein and serum glucose concentrations (p<0.001). Hovewer, inclusion of SBCV into the basal diet increased these parameters. Liver samples were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and evaluated by light microscopy. A biopsy of native liver tissue was used as a control. No histopathologic finding was present in the control group. Raw V. sativa compared with the control caused lipid accumulations in hepatocytes, severe congestion of hepatic blood vessels, inflammation, increased numbers of Kupffer cells and sinusoidal dilatations. Whereas, the livers from groups given treated V. sativa showed only different degrees of sinusoidal dilatations. Findings from the present study point out the risk of increased hepatic damage due to use of raw Vicia sativa. Increasing treatment of V. sativa lead to a decrease of liver damages. Inclusion of raw and soaked vetch seeds in rations affected adversely all parameters examined in laying hens. But alleviation was observed when soaked and boiled vetch seeds (SBCV) were fed. The results of these experiments indicated that soaked&boiled Vicia sativa seeds may safely be used at a 25% level in rations of laying hens.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary silicate minerals on ammonia emission from the excreta and performance in laying hens. A total of one thousand and twenty 49 week-old Lohmann brown layers were divided into three treatment groups consisting two replicates of 170 birds each. The experimental diets were containing three kinds of silicate minerals (Sand, Na-bentonite and SY feldspar) added at the level of 2% by top-dressing. Ammonia emission from the excreta was significantly decreased (p<0.05) by the supplementation of Na-bentonite or SY feldspar. N concentration of the excreta was significantly higher (p<0.05) for the hens fed Na-bentonite or SY feldspar compared to those fed sand. However, no significant differences were observed in feed intake and laying performance with over 80% laying rate observed for all the treatments. Egg shell strength was diminished when SY feldspar was added to the diet. As a whole, the results obtained from the experiment indicated that supplementation of Na-bentonite or SY feldspar added at 2% to the laying hen diet should not affect laying performance but help to reduce ammonia from the excreta at the same time.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary ${\beta}$-mannanase supplementation and palm kernel meal (PKM) inclusion (5%) on laying performance, egg quality and nutrient utilizability of laying hens with 73 weeks of age. A total of 240 Lohmann brown laying hens with average 77.5% egg production were randomly allocated with 60 hens per treatment, 4 replicates per treatment and 15 hens per replicate. Experimental design was a completely randomized design with $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement, with the factors being (1) two levels of PKM (0 vs. 5%) and (2) with or without dietary ${\beta}$-mannanase (480 IU/kg of diet CTCzyme$^{(R)}$) supplementation. All hens were housed in cages ($35cmW{\times}35cmD{\times}40cmH$) with 2 hens per cage for six weeks feeding trial. Laying performance was recorded daily during feeding trial. Egg quality, nutrients utilizability and blood assays were done at the end of feeding trial. Egg production was improved (P<0.05) by both dietary PKM inclusion and ${\beta}$-mannanase combined supplementation. Either ${\beta}$-mannanase or PKM did not affect feed intakes and feed conversion ratio of all diets. Egg weight of hens fed diet containing 5% of PKM had heavier (P<0.05) eggs compared with hens fed without PKM. Albumen height was improved (P<0.05) by dietary mannanase supplementation. Crude fat utilization of 5% PKM diet was higher than that of no PKM diet regardless of ${\beta}$-mannanase supplementation. Both DM and total carbohydrate utilization were decreased (P<0.05) in hens fed 5% PKM diet. Serum IgG and yolk IgY contents of PKM groups were lower (P<0.05) than those of no PKM groups. This result showed that 5% PKM diet, independent of dietary ${\beta}$-mannanase supplementation, was able to improve egg production. In addition, dietary ${\beta}$-mannanase supplementation could be used for improving the albumen height of eggs.