• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.500-508
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• 2024

Objective: Due to current selection practices for increased egg production and peak persistency, the production profile, age at maturity, and body weight criteria for commercial layers are constantly changing. Body weight and age at the time of photostimulation will thus always be the factors that need to be adequately addressed among various production systems. The current study was carried out to determine the effects of pullets' body weight (low, medium, and heavy) on their performance, welfare, physiological response, and hormonal profile. Methods: With regard to live weight, 150 16-week-old pullets were divided into three groups using a completely randomized design (CRD) and held until the 50th week. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the data under the CRD, and the least significant difference test was used to distinguish between treatment means. Results: In comparison to the medium and light birds, the heavy birds had higher body weight at maturity, an earlier age at maturity, and higher egg weight, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, egg yolk index, breaking strength, egg surface area, egg shape index, egg volume, and hormonal profile except corticosterone. However, the medium and light birds had lower feed consumption rates per dozen eggs and per kilogram of egg mass than the heavy birds. Light birds showed greater body weight gain, egg production, and egg specific gravity than the other categories. At 20 weeks of age, physiological response, welfare aspects, and catalase were non-significant; however, at 50 weeks of age, all these factors-aside from catalase-were extremely significant. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that layers can function at lower body weights during photostimulation; hence, dietary regimens that result in lighter pullets may be preferable. Additionally, the welfare of the birds was not compromised by the lighter weight group.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1804-1808
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• 2003

A layer experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementary methionine chelates (Cu, Zn and Mn), individual or in combination, on laying performance, eggshell quality, gizzard erosion, and IgG level of serum for 8 weeks. Five hundred 96-wk-old force molted ISA Brown layers were assigned to five dietary treatments. Basal diet was formulated to meet or exceed the nutrients requirements listed in NRC (1994). Five experimental diets were control, Zn-methionine chelate (Zn-Met) supplemented, Cumethionine chelate (Cu-Met) supplemented, Zn-Mn-methionine chelate (Zn-Mn-Met) supplemented and Zn-Mn-Cu-Met supplemented diet. Each treated diet was supplemented with respective mineral(s) at the level of 100 ppm in the form of methionine chelate. Egg production was increased by Cu-Met supplementation but decreased by Zn-Met supplementation. Egg weight was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Cu-Met treatment than those of the control and Zn-Met treatment. Specific gravity of eggs and eggshell strength were highest and soft egg production was lowest in Cu-Met treatment. Gizzard erosion index was significantly increased by supplementation of Cu-Met, Zn-Mn-Met or Zn-Mn-Cu-Met. Zinc content in liver significantly increased by Zn-Met, but not by Zn-Mn-Cu-Met treatment. In conclusion, 100 ppm Cu in Cu-Met chelate improved laying performance and eggshell quality but also increased gizzard erosion index. Supplementation of Zn-Met or its combination with other mineral chelates had no beneficial effects on laying performance and eggshell quality.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2009

The principal objective of this study was to determine the optimum manufacturing conditions of egg white with high foaming property for the production of angel food cakes. The egg whites were desugarized and powdered at predetermined pHs and drying temperatures. The physicochemical properties of the produced cakes were measured and sensory evaluations were conducted on a 9-point scale. The volume and textural properties of cakes produced from spray-dried egg whites did not differ from those of the cakes prepared from the control egg whites. The pH of batter and the specific gravity of foam and batter with egg white powder at pH 6.74/66.5$^{\circ}C$ did not differ from those of the control, whereas the one prepared with commercial powder lost the characteristics of cake to a significant degree. The overall acceptance scores of egg white powder of pH 6.74/66.5$^{\circ}C$ and commercial powder were 6.25 and 2.33 as compared to the control (6.42). These results indicate that the egg white powder that was desugarized, pH-adjusted to 6.74, and dried at 66.5$^{\circ}C$ might be utilized to prepare angel food cakes with the desirable physicochemical and sensory attributes.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 1974

For the purpose of determining the degree of freshness and bacterial contamiation of poultry farm eggs, the author collected 550 specimens from poultry farm, during the period from July 22 through October 3, 1973. Eggs of poultry farm were stored at $4{\pm} 1{\circ}$(Relative humidity 67~86%), $18\pm 1\circ$(70~80%) and $25\pm 1\circ$(73~82%) during 20 days. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Egg weight was decreased $0.97\pm 0.27$ gm at $4\pm 1\circ$, $1.68\pm 0.25$ gm at $18\pm 1\circ$ and $2.76\pm 0.30$ gm at $25\pm 1\circ$ after 20 days. 2) Specific gravity of fresh eggs was found to average 1.0785. 3) Yolk index of fresh eggs was found to average 0.419. 4) The regression equation between Yolk index and days was obtained y=0.417-0.001x (r=-0.481, p<0.05) at $4\pm 1\circ$, y=0.394-0.004 x (r=-0.738, p<0.01) at $18\pm 1\circ$ and y=0.391-0.011 x (r=-0.958, p<0.001) at $25\pm 1\circ$. 5) The regression equation between Yolk index and NaCl concentration (specific gravity) was obtained y=-0.001+0.04 x (r=0.796, p<0.001). 6) pH of albumin was changed from 8.0 to 8.8, 9.2 and 9.3 at $4\pm 1\circ$, $18\pm 1\circ$ and $25\pm 1\circ$ after 20 days. 7) Total Viable Bacteria in air cell was increased slowly according to the stored period at each temperature.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.332-337
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• 2023

This study aimed to assess the effect of temperature alterations on the preservation of egg quality and determine suitable temperature management practices for unwashed eggs contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis on their shells in an actual distribution environment. Unwashed eggs inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis were stored for 7 d under six different conditions, constant temperature storage at 25℃ and five different temperature-changing storage conditions. For the temperature-changing conditions, the eggs were initially stored at 25℃, and then the temperature was changed to either 10 or 35℃. The indicators of egg quality, air cell height, weight loss, and specific gravity were preserved in the initial measurements when the storage temperature was lowered from 25 to 10℃ from day 3 to 4 after inoculation with Salmonella Enteritidis. In addition, the thick albumen ratio did not show significant alteration caused by the storage conditions when compared with that of fresh eggs. These findings indicate that lowering the storage temperature from 25 to 10℃ is appropriate for the safety management of unwashed eggs during actual distribution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1638-1642
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted to elucidate the effect of graded levels of vitamin $D_3$ in White Leghorn (WL) layer breeders on egg production, shell quality, hatchability of eggs and juvenile performance of offspring during their late laying period (72-88 wk). White Leghorn breeder females were randomly divided into 5 groups of 50 each and were housed in individual California cages in an open-side housing system. Considering birds in five cages as a replicate, 10 such replicates were randomly allotted to each treatment. A basal diet was formulated containing all the nutrients as recommended for WL layers except vitamin $D_3$, which served as control. Another, four diets were formulated by supplementing graded levels of feed grade crystalline cholecalciferol to the basal diet that contained 300, 600, 1,200 and 2,400 ICU of vitamin $D_3$ per kg. Each diet was offered ad libitum to one of the above five treatment groups. The egg production, egg weight, daily feed consumption and the feed intake per dozen eggs or kg egg mass of the birds fed diet without any supplemental vitamin $D_3$ was comparable with those of supplemental groups. Similarly, the level of vitamin in the diet did not have any effect on any of the above parameters. However, the specific gravity of eggs laid by the birds fed the diet without supplemental vitamin $D_3$ was comparable with either 600 or 2,400 ICU supplemental groups but significantly higher when compared to the 300 and 1,200 ICU groups. The egg -shell breaking strength was significantly lowered in the 600 ICU supplemental groups as compared to the strength of other dietary groups. The Haugh unit, egg shell weight, shell thickness, tibia breaking strength, bone ash and calcium content were not influenced by vitamin $D_3$ concentration in the diet. Serum Ca concentration was influenced by vitamin $D_3$ level in the diet. The serum Ca concentration of birds fed either control or the vitamin supplemented diet up to 1200 ICU/kg diet was comparable. However, increasing the concentration of vitamin $D_3$ to 2,400 ICU/kg diet significantly enhanced the concentration of Ca in the serum, which was significantly higher compared to other dietary groups. The serum concentration of P and protein, however, was not influenced by level of vitamin $D_3$ in the diet. Neither fertility nor hatchability was influenced by vitamin $D_3$ concentration in the diet. Feeding a vitamin $D_3$ deficient diet or supplementation of vitamin to hens did not have any influence on their progeny chicks. It can be concluded that dietary supplementation of vitamin $D_3$ may not be essential for optimum production, shell quality, hatchability, and juvenile performance of WL breeders during 72 to 88 weeks of age.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1299-1304
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted to study the production performance of broiler breeder females (25 to 40 weeks of age) fed either reference diet or low non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) diet with or without microbial phytase (500 FYT/kg) supplementation. A weighed (160 g/b/d) quantity of feed from each diet was offered daily to 40 replicates of one bird each housed in California type cage having individual feeders. Each cage was considered as a replicate. A continuous 16-h light per day was provided using incandescent bulbs. Body weight, egg production, egg weight, feed per egg mass, egg specific gravity, egg breaking strength, shell thickness, tibia ash and serum Ca and protein concentrations were not affected by reducing the NPP level from 0.30 to 0.18% in the broiler breeder diet. Supplementation of phytase (500 FYT/kg) enzyme to the diet containing 0.18% NPP had no added advantage on any of the above production parameters. The serum inorganic P was increased significantly (p<0.05) by either enhancing the NPP content from 0.18 to 0.30% or supplementing phytase @500 FYT/kg to the diet containing low P which were found comparable. Retention of Ca and P was positive on all the diets. P retention decreased significantly (p<0.05) with either increase in NPP content or phytase supplementation in the diet. Neither NPP nor phytase supplementation influenced bone mineralization in terms of tibia ash and strength. The hatchability was not influenced by either increasing the NPP content or supplementing the enzyme phytase. Similarly, the P concentration in the egg yolk and day old chick, day old and 14th day body weight and leg score was not altered by increasing the level of NPP or supplementing phytase enzyme. The mortality was within the normal limits in all the three dietary groups. Thus, it can be concluded that 0.18% NPP (288 mg NPP intake/b/d) in the broiler breeder' diet is adequate in sustaining the optimum performance from 25 to 40 wks of age. Enhancing the NPP content or supplementation of phytase (500 FYT/kg diet) to diet containing 0.18% NPP had no added advantage on performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.933-938
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• 2007

An experiment was conducted to study the laying performance, shell quality, bone mineralization, hatchability of eggs and performance of progeny (weight at day one and 14 d of age, P content in day old chick, leg score and survivability of chicks) of synthetic broiler breeders fed different levels of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP). Six levels of NPP (1.2, 1.8, 2.4, 3.0, 3.6 and 4.2 g/kg diet) at a constant calcium (Ca) level (30 g/kg) in a maize-soya-deoiled rice bran based diet were tested. Levels of dicalcium phosphate, shell grit and deoiled rice bran were adjusted to achieve the desired levels of NPP and Ca. Each level of NPP was fed with a weighed quantity of feed (160 g/b/d) to 40 female broiler breeders from 25 to 40 weeks of age housed in individual cages. Each bird was considered as a replicate. Egg production, feed/egg mass, body weight, egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, egg specific gravity, serum Ca content and tibia breaking strength were not influenced (p>0.05) by the variation in dietary NPP levels tested. Increasing the dietary levels of NPP did not influence the hatchability of eggs, phosphorus (P) contents both in egg yolk and day old chick, chick body weight at day one and 14 d of age, leg score and survivability of chicks up to 14 d of age. Maximum response ($p{\leq}0.01$) in shell breaking strength, tibia ash and serum inorganic P contents were observed at NPP levels of 2.09, 2.25 and 3.50 g per kg diet, respectively. The retention of Ca increased, while the P retention decreased ($p{\leq}0.01$) with increasing dietary levels of NPP. Though maximum responses in shell breaking strength, bone ash and serum inorganic P were observed at NPP higher than 1.2 g/kg diet, the broiler breeder performance in terms of egg production, shell quality, hatchability of eggs and progeny performance and their survivability was not influenced by dietary NPP concentrations. It is concluded that synthetic broiler breeders maintained in cages do not require more than 1.2 g NPP/kg diet with a daily intake of 192 mg NPP/b/d during 24 to 40 weeks of age.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.203-208
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• 1999

An 8 week feeding trial was conducted with 864 ISA Brown laying hens, 48 weeks old, to determine if microbial phytase $(Natuphos^{(R)})$ supplementation can reduce non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) level in laying diets. The experiment consisted of four dietary treatments: T1, control diet with 0.26% NPP (0.55% total P) wand no supplementary phytase; T2, 0.21% NPP (0.50% total P) diet with 250 U of phytase/kg of diet; T3, 0.16% NPP (0.45% total P) diet with 250 U of phytase/kg of diet; and T4, 0.11% NPP (0.40% total P) diet with 250 U of phytase/kg of diet. T3 showed the highest egg production and egg weight and the lowest feed conversion while T4 gave the lowest egg production and the highest feed conversion and mortality. Daily feed consumption ranged from 130.4 g (T4) to 132.7 g (T2). T1 and T2 were not significantly different in the production parameters. Eggshell strength, egg specific gravity, and eggshell thickness were not significantly different among treatments. However, broken egg ratio was significantly lower in T2 and T4 than in T1. Retentions of Ca, P, Mg, and Cu were greater in phytase supplemented treatments (T2, T3, and T4) than the control (T1), and those in T3 and T4 were greater than in T2. Excretions of P in phytase supplemented treatments (T2, T3, and T4) were significantly (p<0.05) smaller than in T1 but excretions of N were not significantly different among the treatments. Contents of ash in tibiae were not significantly affected by treatments, but contents of Ca, P, Mg, and Zn was increased and that of Cu decreased by phytase supplementation. It is concluded that the NPP concentration in the diet of Brown layers consuming about 130 g/d of feed can be safely lowered from 0.26% (0.55% total P) to 0.16% (0.45% total P). The excretion of P was reduced by the inclusion of 250 U phytase/kg of diet.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.508-516
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• 2009

Chiffon cakes with 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10% of mulberry powder were made. Specific gravity and batter stability of chiffon cake batter were measured. And moisture content, color, height, weight, texture of chiffon cakes were measured. Consumers also evaluated the chiffon cakes for their liking. Specific gravity of control batter was 0.5 and there were no significant differences between control and chiffon cakes with 2, 4, 6, and 8% of the mulberry powder. The sample with 10% mulberry powder had specific gravity of 0.64 and it was significantly higher compared to the control. Stability of the batters were measured using Turbiscan and the control was the least stable whereas the batter with 2% mulberry powder was the most stable. The moisture content and weight of the cake did not differ between the control chiffon cake and cakes with mulberry powder. The height of the cake was the highest for the control cake at 7.56cm, but the differences between control, and samples with 2, 4, 6, and 8% mulberry powder were not significant. The sample with 10% mulberry powder had lower height of 6.55cm. 'L', 'a', and 'b' values of crust decreased significantly with increased content of mulberry powder. Crumb color('L' and 'b' values) decreased as mulberry powder content increased, while the 'a' value increased. Hardness significantly decreased as mulberry content increased. However, fracturability and springiness did not differ between control and sample cakes. Resilience of the control and sample cakes prepared with 2% mulberry powder were lowest, and resilience increased significantly as the amount of mulberry powder increased beyond 4%. Control cake was preferred overall by consumers, while the color, softness, and flavor of mulberry powder prepared cakes(particularly 2% powder) were specifically preferred. Mulberry flavor and astringency increased as the amount of mulberry powder increased, while sweetness did not change. The intensity of the egg flavor significantly decreased as the amount of mulberry powder increased. Intensity ratings of off-flavor did not differ among control and sample cakes. We recommend the addition of 2~6% mulberry powder to the recipe for chiffon cake.