• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.254-257
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• 2022

Owing to its excellent nutritional value, eggs are among the most important components of the human diet. Gender and environmental factors, such as feed composition, may alter the nutritional profile and quality of eggs. Feed additives have recently been used to enhance the health and productivity of hens, which has resulted in the production of higher-quality eggs. The fungus Cordyceps militaris, a well-established source of traditional medicines, contains potential bioactive metabolites, which prompted us to examine the effects of C. militaris-supplemented diets on the quality of hens' eggs. The hens of two species (Gallus gallus domesticus and Araucana) were fed with one of three different diets: a control diet and diets supplemented with 2% or 5% of C. militaris. Egg quality was determined by measuring the Haugh Unit, yolk color, and shell thickness. In addition, egg and shell densities together with the ratio of yolk to albumen were calculated. Eggshell thickness and yolk color were both enhanced by the addition of C. militaris, whereas Haugh Unit values were somewhat reduced. Egg size, eggshell weight, and yolk and albumen production were all enhanced by C. militaris supplementation. Notably, in hens fed the 2% C. militaris-supplemented diet, enhancement was more evident in the yolk than in the albumen. The overall quality of the egg yolk was enhanced when 2% C. militaris was added to the hens' diet, which led to increases in both yolk color and quantity. Eggshell thickness and weight were also higher among eggs laid by hens fed the supplemented diets. Although these effects differed depending on the chicken species, we established that, in general, C. militaris contributes to improving egg quality.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1709-1717
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• 2023

Objective: A pivotal study was designed to investigate the effect of Hydroxy (HYC) Cu, Zn, and Mn on egg quality and laying performance of chickens under tropical conditions. Methods: A total of 1,260 Babcock White laying hens (20-wk-old) were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments with 15 replicates of 21 hens each in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The birds were reared for 16 weeks and were fed the corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with one of the following mineral treatments: T1, inorganic (INO, 15 ppm CuSO4, 80ppm MnSO4 and 80 ppm ZnO); T2, Hydroxy-nutritional level (HYC-Nut, 15 ppm Cu, 80 ppm Mn, 80 ppm Zn from Hydroxy); T3, Hydroxy-Low (HYC-Low, 15 ppm Cu, 60 ppm Mn, 60 ppm Zn from Hydroxy); T4, Hydroxy plus inorganic (HYC+INO, 7.5 ppm HYC Cu+7.5 ppm CuSO4, 40 ppm HYC ZnO+40 ppm ZnSO4, 40 ppm HYC Mn+40 ppm MnSO4). The egg production was recorded daily, while the feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and egg mass were determined at the end of each laying period. The egg quality parameters were assayed in eggs collected over 48 h in each laying period. Results: Overall, no significant effect of treatments was observed on percent egg production, egg weight and FCR (p>0.05). Feed intake was significantly lower in birds fed Hydroxy plus inorganic (p<0.05) diet. The supplementation of HYC-Low significantly increased the egg mass compared to the other treatments (p<0.05). HYC supplementation alone or in combination with INO elicited a positive effect on shell thickness, shell weight, shell weight per unit surface area, yolk colour, albumen and yolk index for a certain period (p<0.05), but not throughout the whole laying period. Conclusion: Dietary supplementation of HYC-Low (15-60-60 mg/kg) showed similar effects on production performance and egg quality characteristics in laying hens as compared to 15-80-80 mg/kg of Cu-Zn-Mn from inorganic sources. This indicates that sulphate based inorganic trace minerals can effectively be substituted by lower concentration of hydroxyl minerals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.694-699
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• 2009

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chilled drinking water on the productivity of laying hens under constant high ambient temperature. A total of seventy-two, 123-day-old Hy-line brown layers was divided into two equal groups. The first group (UDWG) was given unchilled water ($23.0{\pm}2.5^{\circ}C$) as a control, and the second group (CDWG) was given chilled water ($16.0{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$). The laying hens were kept at $30^{\circ}C$ constant temperature with 50% relative humidity and were exposed to 17 h of light per day. Feed intake, egg production, egg quality (egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, egg color, yolk color, and Haugh unit), and blood samples were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the feed intake of CDWG laying hens was significantly higher (11.64%) than the UDWG counterparts (p<0.01). Egg production of CDWG was also significantly higher (11.27%) than the UDWG counterparts (p<0.001). Furthermore, we observed that the CDWG laying hens had significantly higher (11.72%) levels (p<0.10) of blood calcium, with a corresponding value of 21.92 mg/dl compared to the UDWG hens (19.62 mg/dl). The higher calcium concentration in the CDWG animals may contribute to increased egg production. The CDWG laying hens also contained higher (12.53%) phosphorus concentrations in blood compared to the UDWG (4.22 mg/dl vs. 3.75 mg/dl), although not statistically different (p>0.10). Egg weight and egg quality were not affected by chilled drinking water. In conclusion, providing chilled drinking for laying hens under high ambient temperature improved feed intake and egg production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.727-735
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• 1996

The effects of four factors-two dietary protein levels (12 and 16%), feeding methods(ad libitum and restricted), strains (A and B), and age of hens-on egg quality and laying performance were examined. Use of the 12% dietary protein level resulted in significantly lower (p < 0.05) hen-day egg production, higher feed intake to about 85% of the ad libitum intake decreased mean hen-day production. Significant feeding method-by-age interactions ($F{\times}A$) were obtained for all parameters. Restricted feeding had favorable effects on shell strength and Haugh unit values after 28 and 16 weeks of egg production, respectively. There was significant difference in shell strength between the two strain. Examination of the three-factor interaction among protein levels, feeding method and strain ($P{\times}F{\times}S$) disclosed that the favorable effect of the A strain on shell strength was significant only with the 16% protein-restricted fed group. The other treatment group did show a trend for greater shell strength of the A strain. Mean values for all the parameters examined changed significantly (p < 0.01) with the age of hens. Feed intake per dozen eggs tended to increase, with some fluctuation, as the hens aged. There was a linear decrease in Haugh unit scores and shell strength. The effect of restricted feeding on either shell strength or Haugh unit scores were favorable for the aged chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1164-1170
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• 2008

In this study, the effects of propolis and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) supplementation in diets were investigated on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion rate (FCR) and digestibility and on egg production and qualities (weight, mortality, shell thickness) in laying hens exposed to heat stress. A total of 150 Hyline White Leghorn, aged 42 weeks, hens was divided into five groups of 30 hens. Chicks were randomly divided into 1 positive control, 1 control and 3 treatment groups. The chicks were kept in cages in temperature-controlled rooms at $22^{\circ}C$ for 24 h/d (positive control, Thermoneutral, TN group) or $34^{\circ}C$ for 9 h/d from 08.00-17.00 h followed by $22^{\circ}C$ for 15 h (control, heat stress, HS group) and fed a basal diet or basal diet supplemented with vitamin C (250 mg/kg of L- ascorbic acid/kg of diet) or two levels of propolis (2 and 5 g of ethanol extracted propolis/kg of diet). Increased FI (p<0.05) and improvement in FCR (p<0.05), hen day egg (p<0.05) and egg weight (p<0.05) were found in Vitamin C and propolis-supplemented laying hens reared under heat stress conditions. Mortality rate was higher in the control group than TN, vitamin C and propolis groups (p<0.05). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and ether extract improved with increasing of both dietary vitamin C and propolis (p<0.05). Vitamin C or propolis supplementation did not affect either the percentage shape index, yolk index or haugh unit and albumen index (p>0.05). However, the egg shell thickness and egg shell weight appeared to be increased in Vitamin C and propolis groups in comparison to HS group birds (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of laying hens with anti-oxidants (vitamin C and propolis) can attenuate heat stress-induced oxidative damage. These positive effects were evidenced by increased growth performance and digestibility, improvement of egg shell thickness and egg weight in comparison to non-supplemented birds. Moreover, supplementation with propolis (5 g/kg diet) was the most efficient treatment.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 2002

This studs was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrase (multi-enzyme: $\alpha$-galactosidase and mannanase) on egg quality and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. One hundred forty four, 47-wk-old, ISA Brown commercial layers were used in a 28-d feeding trial after a 7-d adjustment period. Dietary treatments were 1) CON(basal diet), 2) ME 0.1 (basal diet +0.1% multi -enzyme), 3) ME 0.2 (basal diet + 0.2% multi-enzyme). Fer overall Period, hen-day egg Production, egg weight, egg shell breaking strength and egg shell thickness were not influenced by the multi-enzyme. As the adding levels of multi-enzyme increased in the diet, egg Yolk color and egg Yolk index tended to increase with significant differences. Digestibility of DM was not affected by multi-enzyme. However, digestibility of N increased significantly as the concentration of multi-enzyme in the diet was increased. In conclusion, supplemental carbohydrase in laying hen diets nay have some roles in improving the egg Yolk color and N digestibility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1171-1175
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted (28 to 44 weeks) to study the laying performance, shell quality, and nutrient retention of White Leghorn layers fed different levels of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP). Six levels of NPP (0.15, 0.18, 0.21, 0.24, 0.27 and 0.30%) at a constant calcium (Ca) level (3.5%) in maize-soya-deoiled rice bran based diets were formulated, and each experimental diet was offered ad libitum for 16 weeks to five replicates with five birds in each replicate. The body weight of WL layers fed diet containing 0.15% NPP was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those fed diet with 0.30% NPP, at 44 weeks of age. However, the hen day egg production, egg weight, daily feed intake and feed consumed per dozen eggs were not influenced by the variation in the NPP levels in the diet. The bone ash content was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the birds fed 0.30% NPP as compared with those fed diets up to 0.24% NPP. Bone ash content was intermediate in the birds fed diet containing 0.27% NPP. The tibia strength followed the same trend as that of bone ash. Dietary NPP content had no influence on serum Ca and protein concentration and activity of alkaline phosphatase. However, serum inorganic P concentration increased linearly with NPP content in the diet. The concentration of P was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the birds fed 0.27% NPP or higher as compared with those fed 0.15% NPP. Levels of dietary NPP had no influence on egg quality parameters like shell wt, shell thickness, shell strength and specific gravity. The retention of nutrients such as DM, N and Ca were comparable among the WL layers fed different levels of NPP. However, the retention of P decreased linearly with increase in the level of NPP in the diet. The retention of P in the birds fed diets up to 0.24% NPP in the diet was comparable, however further increasing the content of NPP (either 0.27% or 0.30%) reduced the retention of P. Based on the results of the present study, 0.15% NPP (180 mg/b/d) in the diets of WL layers is adequate for optimum production performance during 28 to 44 weeks of age, however, WL layers require 0.27% NPP (324 mg /b/d) in the diet for optimum production with better bone mineralization.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.979-985
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• 2001

Two experiments on commercial broiler chickens (3-37 d) and WL layers (252-364 d) were conducted to study the relative bioavailability of phosphorus (P) from different P supplements in comparison to tricalcium phosphate (TCP), at constant dietary calcium (Ca):P ratio. The P sources tested were dicalcium phosphate (DCP), steam sterilized bone meal (SSBM), commercial mineral mixture (CMM), phosphoric acid (PA) and a combination of CMM + PA. Fluorine (F) content in CMM and SSBM was 13.12 and 0.14 g/kg, respectively. In commercial broiler diets, DCP, SSBM or PA could be used as supplemental P sources without affecting (p<0.05) weight gain, feed intake, tibia ash and, P and Ca contents in tibia ash when compared to TCP. Severity of leg abnormality and deposition of F in bone were higher (p<0.05) in group fed CMM. P retention and serum inorganic P content was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in CMM fed birds compared to those fed TCP, SSBM, PA or CMM+PA. Among other P sources (TCP, SSBM, PA and CMM+PA) the serum inorganic P levels did not vary significantly (p<0.05). The P retention also significantly reduced in CMM fed groups compared to those fed DCP or PA. The P retention significantly increased from 0.183 to 0.216 units by supplementation of PA to CMM diet. In layers, egg production was not affected by replacing TCP with DCP, SSBM, PA or CMM+PA, but significantly (p<0.05) reduced with CMM. Feed (kg)/kg egg mass, egg weight, shell quality (shell weight and shell thickness) and serum Ca levels were not influenced by dietary variation in P source. The poor performance of both broilers and layers fed on CMM based diets could be attributed to the presence of hlgher levels of F (647.8 and 630.1 mg/kg, respectively) and low P utilization. Based on growth, bone mineralization and P retention it is concluded that DCP, SSBM or PA can be used as alternatives to TCP in broiler diets. In WL layer diets, in addition to above P sources, CMM can also be used as supplemental P source by replacing one half of P from CMM with PA without affecting egg production and shell quality.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.317-321
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• 2006

The effects of dietary humic substances (HS) on egg Production and egg Quality were studied using 252(55-wk old) ISA brown laying hens. laying were divided into 21 groups of 12 hens each and seven groups (experimental units) were assigned to 1) CON (basal diet), 2) HS5 (basal diet 4- 5% humic substances) or 3) HS10 (basal diet +10% humic substances) in a completely randomized block design. Hens had free access to diets and water fur 6 wk. Egg Production and egg quality were monitored over the 6-wk Period. Results showed that 10% dietary HS decreased egg Production and yolk diameter (P<0.05) compared to CON. Egg weight and yolk cole. were improved (P<0.05) in HS10 compared to CON. Egg shell breaking strength was increased significantly (P<0.05) when hens were fed HS5 diet compared to the others. There were no effects of treatments on egg shell thickness, yolk index, albumen height and Haugh nit. The results suggest that the dietary supplementation of HS at 5% or 10% decreases egg Production, but HS at 5% can increase egg shell breaking strength. Hens fed 10% HS could increase egg weight and yolk color and decrease yolk diameter.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to compare the principle components and internal quality of eggs by age of laying hens and weight standard. The eggs (2,140 in total) used were from Hy-Line Brown reared from 18 to 63 weeks of ages and all were higher than appearance grade B by animal grading standard of Korea. Eggs were investigated their principle components, internal quality index, and their relationship. The weights of whole egg, shell, yolk, and albumen were increased while albumen height and Haugh unit were decreased by age of laying hens. When the composition of egg was investigated after sorting by ages, the ratio of egg yolk increased while that of albumen decreased. Egg shell composition was not shown significant difference by age. Age of laying hens had positive correlation with the weights of whole egg, shell, yolk, and albumen while albumen height and Haugh unit showed negative correlation. Also, the albumen height and Haugh unit were decreased by increase of weight of whole egg or principle components of egg.