• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2007

A layer feeding trial was conducted for 10 weeks to investigate the effects of the addition of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to layer diets on the laying performance, egg qualities, and yolk fatty acid composition. Nine hundred Hyline Brown layers, 24 weeks of age,were randomly allotted to 20 replicate laying cages, 45 birds per replicate. There were four diet treatments (0, 10, 15, and 20% DDGS), and five replicates per treatment. All experimental diets were prepared to contain iso-protein (17%) and iso-calorie (TMEn 2,780 kcal/kg). The use of DDGS up to 20% level in layer diets did not exert any influence on feed intake, laying rate, total egg mass, mean egg weight, and feed conversion ratio. DDGS did not exert any influence in weight of egg, breaking strength, and color of eggshell. The albumen height and Haugh unit was not influenced by DDGS addition. The yolk color was significantly increased by DDGS supplementation. As the DDGS level increased, the oleic acid content decreased, and the linoleic acid increased (P<0.05). The degree of saturation of yolk fatty acids was not affected by dietary DDGS. The inclusion of DDGS up to 20% in layer diets resulted in the decrease of feed cost per kg without any effect in the laying performance. In conclusion, the use of DDGS up to 20% level in layer diets could replace corn and soybean meal without any harmful effect on the laying performances.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 1996

This experiment was carried out to study the effects of feeding split diets for a.m. and p.m. on laying hen performance and feed cost with 480 ISA Brown layers for three periods during 32∼36, 52∼56 and 72∼76 wk of age, respectively. The control group(C) was fed a conventional single diet throughout the day and split diet groups (T$_1$, T$_2$, T$_3$, T$_4$ and T$\_$5/) were offered high energy-high protein-low Ca diets, and low energy-low protein-high Ca diets in a.m. and p.m., respectively. In split diet groups, feed intake, ME and CP consumption, and feed cost were significantly reduced(P<0.05) compared to the C, while the hen-day egg production was significantly improved. However, the average egg weight was not influenced by the feeding system. Due to the reduced daily feed, ME, and CP intakes, and the improved egg production, the conversions of feed, ME, CP, and feed cost required per kg egg mass were also significantly improved (P<0.05) in splits diet groups. Among split diet groups, the T$_2$ group fed the diet devoid of Ca supplement from the conventional laying hen diet in a.m., and the diet containing the Ca supplement 2 times the conventional diet in p.m., was superior in conversion of nutrients and feed cost per kg egg mass to the other split diet groups. It was concluded that daily feed and nutrients cousumption and daily feed cost could be reduced 5∼6％ while hen-day egg production could be improved about 4％, so that about 10％ of the feed and nutrients and feed cost per kg egg mass could be spared by introducing the split diet feeding for a.m. and p.m. based on T$_2$ treatment in laying hens.

• 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.