• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2003

This study was conducted to determine the effects of stocking density on performance and physiological responses of egg-type breeder layers in cages. A total of 264 Hy-Line Brown egg-type breeder layers at the age of 32 weeks were divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates of 22 birds (20 females, 2 males) per replicate and assigned to four stocking density treatments with 22 birds per cage with different sizes (980, 735, 640 and 560 $\textrm{cm}^2$/bird). The birds were fed the same experimental diet ad libitum for 12 weeks, and laying performance, egg and eggshell qualities, fertility and hatchability were determined. At the end of the experimental period, 9 birds were selected in each treatment in order to measure the scores of plumage condition. Antibody titers to Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis were also determined. No significant differences were observed in laying performances, eggshell strength, Haugh unit, fertility and hatchability among the treatments. In birds housed 640 $\textrm{cm}^2$ per bird, eggshell thickness were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of the other groups from 7 to 12 weeks. There was no significant difference in antibody titers to Newcastle disease. In birds housed 980 $\textrm{cm}^2$ per bird, antibody titers to infectious bronchitis were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the other groups. With increase in the level of stocking density, the scores of plumage condition were also significantly decreased (P<0.01). This study demonstrated that moderate increment of stocking density did not resulted in reduction in laying-performances of egg-type breeder layers. However, it seemed that the higher stocking density might give more stress to the birds from physical stimuli and thus were harmful environment causing higher mortalities compared to the lower ones.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.93-94
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• 2004

The experiments was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of feather meal and pyridoxine on the taurine content of egg yolk and performance of laying hens. Feeding trial was conducted with 900 31-wk-old Hy-Line Brown layers for 4wks. The experiment consisted of six dietary treatments: control(basal diet), feather meal(FM) 3 % diet(FM 3 %), FM 3 % + pyridoxine supplemented diet(FM 3 % + Pyridox), FM 6 % diet, FM 6 % + pyridoxine supplemented diet(FM 6% + Pyridox), Synthetic taurine 0.25 % supplemented diet(Taurine). Egg production of birds fed FM 3% was highest and those of the FM diets were also higher than those of Taurine and the control. Egg weight of Taurine was significantly lower than those of FM 3 %, FM 6 % and the control but were not significantly different from those of FM 3 % + Pyridox or FM 6 % + Pyridox. Feed intake of the control was greater than those of FM 6 %, FM 6% + Pyridox or Taurine treatment but was not significantly different from those of FM 3 % and FM 3 % + Pyridox. Feed conversion of the control was significantly higher than other treatments in which that of FM 6 % was lowest. Broken and soft egg production of Taurine was highest while that of the control was lowest among treatments. Taurine content of egg yolk significantly increased by supplementation of taurine(64.7 %). FM 6 % + pyridoxine(57 %), FM 3% + pyridoxine (32.1%) and FM 6% (16.6 %). Sensory evaluation data of Taurine has shown the highest score in most of sensory attributes. It is concluded that taurine can be enriched in egg yolk by supplementation of 6 % FM diet and pyridoxine as well as 0.25 % synthetic taurine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.702-707
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• 1998

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a microbial enzyme (Roxazyme-$G^{(R)}$), a multicarbohydrases preparation, supplementation to the wheat-based layer diets. Diets were formulated to include different levels of wheat replacing yellow corn on isocaloric and isonitrogenous basis. The energy value of wheat in the enzyme supplemented diets was adjusted (spec-modified) to have 5% more ME than the wheat in diets without enzyme. A total of 864 Hy-$Line^{(R)}$ brown layers were assigned to 4 dietary treatments: 10% wheat (T1), 25% wheat (T2), 25% wheat (spec-modified)+ 0.01 % Roxazyme-$G^{(R)}$ (T3), and all wheat (spec-modified)+0.01% Roxazyme-$G^{(R)}$ (T4). Hen-day egg productions of T1 and T4 were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that of T2 but not different from T3. Hen-housed egg production of T4 was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than those of T1 and T3 but not different from T2. Egg weights of T1 and T2 were significantly (p < 0.0 1) greater than that of T4. Feed consumption of T2 was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than other treatments. Feed conversion ratio (feed/egg mass) was not significantly different among treatments. Eggshell thickness of T1 was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than other treatments but ratio of broken eggs was not significantly different among treatments. Haugh unit of T4 was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than that of T2. Egg yolk color was significantly (p < 0.01) influenced by treatments in which enzyme treatment potentiated the yolk pigmentation. It was concluded that a multi-carbohydrases supplementation enables complete replacement of yellow com with wheat without loss of productivity and major egg quality parameters.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2016

Egg quality is a very important factor for both consumers and producers. Factors affecting egg quality include strain and age of hens; egg storage temperature, time, and humidity; laying season; and feeding. This study aimed to determine the effect of hen age and egg storage time on egg quality. A total of 700 eggs obtained from Hyline Brown commercial layers were used for this experiment, and they were separated into two hen age groups (30 vs. 60 weeks) with eight treatments and four storage times (day 0, 10, 20, and 30). The egg weight; shell color, thickness, and density; albumen height; Haugh unit (HU); yolk color; and the yolk and albumen pH and viscosity were measured for the egg quality assessment. The results showed that the age of the hen and egg storage time significantly affected almost all parameters of the internal and external egg quality. The shell thickness, albumen height, HU, yolk color, pH of yolk and albumen, and yolk viscosity significantly decreased with increasing hen age. The egg shell color was significantly lighter in eggs from 60-week-old hens than in those from 30 weeks-old hens. The egg weight; shell weight, thickness, and density; albumen height, HU; and albumen viscosity significantly decreased, but the yolk color and pH of the yolk and albumen increased with increasing egg storage time. The interaction effects between the storage time and hen age were significant in shell thickness, albumen height, yolk color, and yolk and albumen pH and viscosity. The eggs obtained from 60-week-old hens showed significantly lower shell thickness, albumen height, and HU values, which are considered typical egg quality measurements, than values of eggs from 30-week-old hens. Therefore, increasing hen age and egg storage time caused the deterioration of egg quality. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that hen age is the major factor affecting the quality of fresh eggs, whereas the storage time is the determinant factor affecting the quality of stored eggs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1296-1302
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• 2009

Ninety six beak-trimmed 72 week-old Lohmann Brown hens were randomly divided into four equal groups. Each group comprised 4 replicates. Isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets contained low calcium (3.5%); optimum calcium (4.2%); low Ca (3.5% Ca)+1% Clinoptilolite (CLP); low Ca (3.5% Ca)+2% CLP. Data were collected biweekly and the experiment lasted 6 weeks. Egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, tibia Ca, P, ash and eggshell thickness were not affected by addition of CLP to the diets (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in egg shell strength and ash when data were analyzed individually in measurement periods ($74^{th}$, $76^{th}$ and $78^{th}$ weeks). However, according to pooled data ($74^{th}$-$78^{th}$ weeks), eggshell strength was increased (p<0.05) only by 2% CLP supplementation versus low Ca (3.5%) diet, and shell ash was significantly increased by 2% CLP supplementation compared with the other diets. The damaged egg ratio on 1% and 2% CLP diets was significantly decreased between 76-78 weeks'data when compared with the low Ca diet. However; damaged egg ratio on the 2% CLP diet was significantly decreased when pooled data (74-78) were compared with no CLP diets. The differences in marketable egg ratio paralleled damaged egg ratio. The plasma calcium level at the end of experiment was increased on the 2% CLP diet when compared with the low Ca (3.5%) diet (p<0.05). Furthermore, at the end of the experiment a marked decrease of manure moisture was observed on both CLP diets (p<0.01). In conclusion, Clinoptilolite (2%) supplementation to layer diets tends to improve eggshell quality and manure dry matter (1% and 2% CLP) after six weeks.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of single or mixed supplementation of bacterial and fungal phytase using 45-wk-old 450 Hy-Line Brown laying hens housed in individual cages for 12-wk period. The birds were reallocated to have similar egg productivity by examining the egg production for one wk before starting the experiment. Two sources of phytase, bacterial (BP) and fungal (FP), were used either in single or mixture to determine the effects of these phytase. Five dietary treatments consisted of control (BP 0, FP 0), T1 (BP 300, FP 0), T2 (BP 300, FP 300), T3 (BP 300, FP 3000), and T4 (BP 0, FP 3000). The DPU was used for phytase activity in this experiment. The nonphytate phosphorus (NPP) content of control was 0.30%, and those of phytase treatments were set to 60% of the Control. Experimental diets were fed ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The lighting schedule of 17L7D was employed. The egg production was not different between control and bacterial phytase treatments, but the T4 showed significantly low productivity compared to control (P<0.05). No difference was found in average egg weight among all treatments. The daily egg mass did not show any statistical differences among all treatments: however, it was significantly low in T4 compared to ther control during the latter half of the experiment (P<0.05). No significant difference was found among treatments in terms of feed intake, feed conversion and egg quality. The digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, and fat digestibility were similar regardless of the treatments. No significant trends were detected in Ca and P availability. In conclusion, the BP level of 300 DPU contributed to achieve 40% reduction of recommended nonphytate phosphorus addition. The synergistic effect of bacterial and fungal phytase was not confirmed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of modification of a herbal recipe(Herb $Mix^{(R)}$) on the growth of pullet and laying performance of hens. The formula of Herb $Mix^{(R)}$, a mixture of Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica gigas, Discorea japonica, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Schisandra chinensis and Ligusticum jeholense, was modified in mixing ratio. A total of 1,120 pullets(Hy-Line Brown) of 14 wks old were assigned to seven treatments; control, Herb $Mix^{(R)}$(HM), R. glutinosa fortified HM, A. gigas fortified HM, D. japonica fortified HM, G. uralensis fortified HM, S. chinensis fortified HM, L. jeholense fortified HM and Flavomycin supplemented diet. Each treatment had 8 replicates of 20 birds each housed in 2 birds cages. Body weight at 10% egg production was significantly(P<0.05) influenced by treatments. Birds fed A. gigas fortified HM diet were heaviest followed by L. jeholense fortified HM, HM-original and D. japonica fortified HM, Flavomycin supplemented diet and R. glutinosa while those fed control diet were lightest. Also, age reaching 50% egg production and peak production was earliest in A. gigas fortified HM and latest in the control. Egg production, feed intake, feed conversion and egg weight were significantly influenced by treatments. Significant improvement in egg production and feed intake was shown in A. gigas fortified HM treatment. Feed conversion ratio was lowest in antibiotic(Flavomycin) treatment and egg weight was heaviest in L. jeholense fortified HM treatment. There were no significant differences among treatments in intestinal microflora but cfu of Cl. perfringnes and E. coli tended to be lower in HM treatments than the control. Among the leucocytes of blood, the HM treatments were lower than the control in counts of white blood cell and heterophils. It was concluded that modification of Herb $Mix^{(R)}$ fortifying with A. gigas, D. japonica and L. jeholense significantly influence growth and laying performance of birds.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2019

In this study, viability, growth performance and egg production performance were investigated to determine the productive characteristics of 12 Korean domestic chicken varieties which have been collected and conserved for over 25 years in National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Korea. The 1,134 hens were tested and their production traits including survival rate, body weight, age at first egg laying, hen-day and hen-housed egg production, egg weight, and egg quality were measured. Survival rate was the highest in Korean Rhode-D and Korean Native Chicken (KNC) White and the lowest in Korean Cornish Brown (92.2% and 54.3%, respectively). Body weights from 4 to 50 wks were consistently high in the order of Korean Cornish, Korean Rhode, KNC, Korean Ogye, and Korean Leghorn breeds. There was no significant difference in weight between varieties within a breed. Age at first egg laying was the shortest in Korean Leghorn, while it was the longest in Korean Cornish. The hen-day egg production from $1^{st}$ egg to 57 wks was the highest in Korean Leghorn-K, and the lowest in Korean Cornish Brown. Egg weight was the heaviest in Korean Leghorn-F and the lightest in KNC White. The Haugh unit was the highest in Korean Rhode-C and the lowest in Korean Ogye. Taken together, these results suggest that it is desirable that the Korean Cornish variety is improved as the Korean meat breed because of its excellent growth ability, the Korean Leghorn variety is improved as the Korean layer breed because of its good laying performance, and the Korean Rhode and KNC varieties are improved as strong viable breeds because of their good survival rate.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2012

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the dietary effect of chlorella vulgaris on egg production and lutein incorporation into chicken eggs. In Exp. 1, a total of three hundred, 70 wk-old Hy-Line brown layers were divided into six groups with five replicates and fed each experimental diet (corn-SBM based control diet and diets with 0.1, 0.3 or 0.5% chlorella powder and with 0.8 or 2.4% chlorella cultured media) for 6 wk, respectively. The egg production in the groups fed diets containing the chlorella powder and chlorella cultured media were higher than that of the control group (p<0.001). As dietary chlorella levels increased, the yolk color linearly increased. However, there were no significant differences in egg-shell qualities. The layers fed diet with 2.4% chlorella cultured media showed the highest Haugh unit value. In Exp. 2, a total of one hundred-eight 80 wk-old Hy-Line brown layers were assigned into four groups with three replicates per group (9 birds per replicate). The birds were fed one of four experimental diets (0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% chlorella powder) for 4 wk, followed by a 14 d feeding of a withdrawal diet devoid of chlorella powder. At 2 wk, the lutein greatly increased with increasing levels of chlorella powder in birds fed diets containing more than 1%. The maximum incorporation of lutein into eggs was reached after 2 or 3 wk of feeding diets with chlorella powder. After a 7 d withdrawal, the lutein contents of egg yolks in the groups fed diets with more than 1% chlorella powder were still higher than that of control group (p<0.05). No significant differences in the lutein levels were found among groups after a 14 d withdrawal period. These results indicated that the use of chlorella in layer diets was effective in improving egg production and egg quality and for the production of lutein fortified eggs.