• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.521-532
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• 2020

The production performance of broiler breeder hens in response to different levels of total lysine during the early laying period was investigated. A total of 126 Ross 308 parent stock hens were offered one of seven dietary treatments formulating elevated contents of total lysine ranging from 0.55% to 0.79% (0.04 scale; 133 g of feed) from 23 to 29 weeks of age. Each treatment had six replicates with three birds per pen. Body weight was recorded triweekly and eggs were collected and weighted at 9:00 am daily. One hen from each pen was euthanized to collect blood samples and visceral organs were harvested and weighed. Egg production, egg weight and egg mass were lower (p < 0.05) in hens offered a diet containing 0.55% total lysine compared to those fed the diet containing higher total lysine. Hens offered a diet containing 0.71%, 0.75%, and 0.79% total lysine had greater (p = 0.008) egg production rate compared to those offered a diet containing lysine less than 0.71%. The number of total eggs produced tended to be greater (p = 0.083) in hens offered a diet containing 0.71 and 0.75% total lysine compared to the other treatments. The number of settable egg production was higher (p < 0.001) in hens offered a diet contacting 0.79% total lysine compared to those fed the diet containing lower levels of total lysine. The relative weights of oviduct and ovary were lower (p < 0.05) in hens offered a diet containing 0.59% total lysine compared to the other treatments. No difference found in body weight, the number of total eggs, double-yolk eggs and abnormal shell eggs among the treatments. The urea nitrogen, estradiol-17 beta and progesterone in plasma were not affected by treatments. Based on linear- and quadratic-plateau models, total lysine requirements for egg production, settable egg production and egg mass at the early laying period were to be 0.73%, 0.77%, and 0.71%, respectively. Modern broiler breeder hens likely require higher total lysine than NRC recommendation in a diet for enhancing productivity during the early-laying period.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2017

This study was carried out to collect basic data on the egg laying performance and disease occurrence on animal welfare-approved farms (AWAF) for laying hens with different housing types (windowless, open, and free-range house) and strains (Hy-line, Lohmann). Age at first egg laying was 151 d in the windowless house and 141 d in both the open and free-range houses, and the percentage peaks of each farm were 91.8%, 92.9%, and 86.3%. Average egg production according to housing types were 70.9%, 77.4%, and 65.6% at 18~38 wk old and 91.1%, 90.1%, and 76.2% at 32~36 wk. The average dirty and cracked egg ratio of the windowless, open, and free-range houses was 2.84%, 1.15%, and 0.23%, respectively. Mortality in the open house was lower than the other house types. Age of first egg laying for the Hy-line strain was 155 d and that for the Lohmann strain was 157 d, and the percentage peaks of the two strains were 92.9% (252 d) and 87.2% (237 d), respectively. Average egg production of the strains was 83.7% and 76.9%, respectively. The average dirty and cracked egg ratio of the Hy-Line and Lohmann strains was 3.85% and 2.97%, respectively. Mortality of the Hy-Line strain was lower than that of the Lohmann strain. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the egg weight, HU, and egg yolk color of chickens raised in the open house compared with those of chickens raised in the other house types. In terms of antibody titer, that for Newcastle disease in open house chickens was lower than that of chickens raised in windowless and free-range houses. The antibody titer for low pathogenic avian influenza, avian infectious bronchitis, and avian pneumovirus was high at over 3.0 in all three farms. SG, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella pullorum, fowl adenovirus infection, and infectious laryngotrachitis were not detected in any of the three house types. The number of AWAF for laying hens has continuously increased in Korea, but there is currently little data on the housing types used on the AWAF for laying hens. Therefore, the results of the present study, in which analyzed the laying performance and disease occurrence on AWAF for laying hens, can use as basic data for the improvement of performance and prevention of disease on further AWFA for laying hens.

• 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.

• 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.34 no.3
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• pp.181-185
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on egg production and egg quality in laying hens. A total of 114 (30-wk age) ISA brown commercial hens were used in current trial for 28 days. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet), 2) 0.05 (basal diet + ALA 0.05%), 3) 0.1 (basal diet + ALA 0.1%) and 4) 0.2 (basal diet + ALA 0.2%). There were four dietary treatments with four replication per treatment and twelve laying hens per replication. During the overall period, egg production was quadratically affected (P=0.01) by ALA supplementation compared with control treatment. Egg weight increased (linear effect, P=0.01; quadratic effect, P=0.01) as the level of delta-aminolevulinic acid supplementation increased in the diets. Yolk color was increased quadratically (P=0.03). The difference of hemoglobin concentration was increased (quadratic effect, P=0.01) as the level of delta-aminolevulinic acid supplementation increased in the diets. In conclusion, the results of the experiment suggest that dietary delta-aminolevulinic acid could affect egg weight, yolk color and hemoglobin concentration in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.243-248
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• 1993

The effect of dietary lipid factors (plant and animal oil, cholesterol and ${\beta}$-sitosterol) on the liver, serum, and egg yolk cholesterol levels of the laying hen was studied. Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens, at 28 weeks of age, were fed two basal diets containing 8.0% soybean oil or 8.0% fish oil, with or without supplemental cholesterol (1.0%), ${\beta}$-sitosterol (2.0%) or combinations of both. Restricting caloric intake resulted in significantly (p<.05) decreased egg production and the total amount of cholesterol excreted via the egg was significantly (p<.05) different among treatment groups. Cholesterol supplementation to the two basal diets resulted in a significant elevation of liver, serum and egg yolk cholesterol levels. The addition of ${\beta}$-sitosterol lowered the cholesterol levels in liver and serum, while increased in the egg yolk (SO + ST, FO + ST). The anticholesterogenic effect of dietary ${\beta}$-sitosterol was not clearly exhibited in this study.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 2024

This study examined the effect of a dietary protein level and age on growth performance, total excreta, and nitrogen balance in laying hen during the growing period for 18 weeks. A total of 96 Hy-Line Brown laying hens were divided into two treatments according to the experimental diets, with each group consisting of six replicates. The experimental diets included: 1) an adequate metabolizable energy and crude protein diet formulated to meet the age and breed specification for Hy-Line Brown containing 21, 18, 16, and 14% dietary CP during 0 to 6, 6 to 12, 12 to 15, 15 to 18 weeks, respectively (CON); 2) 2% CP deficiency from CON diet containing 19, 16, 14, 12% dietary CP during 0 to 6, 6 to 12, 12 to 15, 15 to 18 weeks, respectively (LP). Growth performance, total excreta, and nitrogen balance were investigated for 18 weeks every 3 weeks, and two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis of data. The LP group had lower total excreta and N intake than CON group in the whole period of the experiment (p < 0.001). Moreover, birds in the LP group showed lower N excretion than the CON group (p < 0.05). However, the CON group exhibited higher BW, ADG than the LP group (p < 0.001). Application of low-protein diet to laying hens during the growing period reduced N excretion, which contribute to the sustainable development of the laying hen industry by minimizing environmental pollution.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.383-388
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• 2010

The chicken eye can discriminate light color, and different light wavelengths may affect reproduction ability. This study was carried out to identify effect of monochromatic light using light emitting diode (LED) in laying hens. Chickens were exposed to white light (WL), blue light (BL), yellow light (YL), green light (GL) and red light (RL) made by using LED as well as incandescent light (IL) (control). All light sources were equalized to a light intensity of 20 lux. The results indicated that the age of first egg laying and 50 % egg laying in laying hens treated under RL is significantly younger than under other lights (P<0.05). And the ovary weight of laying hens reared under RL is significantly heavier than under other at from 16 to 20 wks (P<0.05). The largest number of eggs production was produced in a group with treated with RL by 59 wks of age compared with any other group. The egg weight of YL was greater than other treatment groups from 26 to 45 wks (P<0.05). The egg shell from hens treated with RL was the strongest and thickest at 20 wk (P<0.05). These results suggest that the egg quality of laying hens reared in different spectrum of LED can be different and RL may enhance the laying performance.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2003

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing earthworm meal (EWM) on the performance of laying hens and fatty acid composition in egg yolks. A total of 360 laying hens at 55 weeks of age were fed the experimental diets containing 0.0% (Control), 0.1% and 0.2% of EWM for 5 weeks. Eggs were collected and weighted every day and egg production and feed conversion were recorded every weeks during the experimental period. However fatty acid composition of egg yolk were measured at last week of experimental period. Amount of feed intake tended to increase by supplemental EMW, but feed conversion ratio of birds fed EWM was not different among three groups. Average egg production seemed to increase and significantly improved (P<0.05) when fed a 0.1% EWM and 0.2% EWM, respectively. Average egg weight was prone to decrease when fed a 0.1% EWM compared to that fed a 0% (control) or 0.2% EWM. Average daily egg mass tended to improve by the addition of EWM. It was more increased in 0.2% EWM treatment than 0.1% EWM. The ratio of egg yolk n-6/ n-3 fatty acids contents was 5:1 fed a 0.1% and 0.2% EWM. But these ratio was 10:1 in control group. It is concluded that 0.2% earthworm meal supplementation in the 55 weeks old laying hens diet, improves the laying performance and ratio of egg yolk n-6/ n-3 fatty acids contents (P<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1717-1724
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• 2004

The study was conducted to determine the effect of Salmonella typhymurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on egg-laying performance, inflammatory response, zinc metabolism in layer fed diets supplemented with organic or inorganic zinc since 3-wk-old. The three dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal basal diet without supplemental zinc or with supplemental zinc at 60 mg/kg zinc from $ZnSO_4$ or zinc amino acid complex (ZnAA). At the age of 58 wk-old, twelve hens from each dietary treatment were allotted into two sub-groups. On day 1, 3, 5, 7 of the $58^{th}$ week of age, six birds of one sub-group were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 2 ml LPS (1.0 $\ell$/ml) or sterile saline. Neither zinc source ${\times}$ immune challenge interaction nor zinc source effect on egg production performance was observed (p>0.05), LPS-challenge decreased egg production (p<0.04) and increased percentage of cracked eggs (p <0.01). With LPS challenged, the fever response of hens fed ZnAA peaked and subsided earlier than in hens fed $ZnSO_4$ or basal diet. Serum IL-1$\beta$ at 3 h was higher (p<0.01), but lower (p<0.001) at 12 h post-challenge with LPS in hens fed ZnAA than $ZnSO_4$. In salinetreated groups, serum IL 1$\beta$ was higher in hens fed ZnAA than the basal diet at 3 h post-injection (p<0.01). LPS-challenged birds had lower serum zinc and higher zinc sequestered in liver and spleen (p<0.001). In saline-treated birds, there was no difference in zinc concentration of serum, liver and spleen among different dietary treatments (p>0.05). Supplementation of 60 mg/kg zinc from either ZnAA or $ZnSO_4$ significantly (p<0.05) elevated metallothionein (MT) concentration in liver and spleen. MT concentration in liver of birds fed ZnAA diet was higher than in those fed $ZnSO_4$ diet (p<0.05). The magnitude of increase of hepatic and splenic MT due to LPS challenge was higher by supplementation of ZnAA than $ZnSO_4$. The results suggest that zinc amino acid complex enhanceed MT synthesis and zinc sequestered in liver and spleen and increased the sensitivity to immune response due to LPS challenge.