• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2001

The repeatabilities on Yolk percentage and yolk to albumen (Y:A) ratio of the eggs produced consecutively were investigated. The differences between two yolk lines in major egg characteristics were also evaluated. The investigations using one hundred ISA-Brown layers were conducted at 29 wk, 33 wk, 38 wk, and 43 wk of age. At the initiated age (29 wk of age) of the experiments, the birds producing eggs with lower or higher Y:A ratio than the overall mean Y:A ratio were classified as Low Yolk Line (LYL) or High Yolk Line (HYL), respectively. Overall, the eggs of LYL were significantly (P<0.05) lighter in yolk weight and lower in yolk percentage for the whole egg weight and Y:A ratio, but heavier in egg weight, albumen weight, and shell weight than those of HYL. The overall mean correlations among the three consecutive laying days in Y:A ratio showed highly significant (P<0.001) in both lines. At four different ages, the mean phenotypic correlation coefficients (r$_{p}$) among the three consecutive laying days in Y:A ratio also had very high significant(P<0.01 ~ 0.001) positive values. The egg weight was more closely associated with albumen weight than with yolk weight in both yolk lines.s.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1989

This study was conducted to estimate genetic parameters for egg yolk cholesterol. Content of egg yok cholesterol was measured for a total of 473 hens of White Leghorn line. Cholesterol values were obtained from tee consecutively laid eggs when hens were 53 weeks of age. The yolk of each egg was weighted and freeze dried. Dried egg yolks were stored at -2$0^{\circ}C$ until analyzed. The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. Yolk cholesterol content was measured in average $56.00\pm$0.194 mg/g dry yolk. 2. Heritability from the sire component of variance was $0.522\pm$0.215 and from the sire＋dam component of variance $0.33\pm$0.209. 3. Estimates of phenotypic correlation between your cholesterol and other factors such as body weight at 20 weeks of age, age at first egg, 40-week total egg number, egg Production rate: 53-week egg weight and 53-week yolk weight were -0.0208, -0.0321, -0.0378, -0.0834, 0.0790 and 0.1624, respectively. And genetic correlation coefficients for each item in the order were -0.5293, 0.7105, -0.4062, -0.0254, 0.2164 and 0.5027, respectively. 4. These results suggest the possibility that egg Yolk cholesterol should be reduced through selecting of sire families. To breed for low egg yolk cholesterol, it makes age at first egg earlier and enhances total egg number so that we can obtain the high rate of egg Production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1458-1463
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• 2016

A 42-d study with 384 Hy-line brown laying hens was conducted to assess the effects of dietary octacosanol supplementation on laying performance, egg quality and blood metabolites of laying hens. Hens were randomly allocated into 4 dietary groups of 8 cages each, which were fed basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 9 (OCT9), 18 (OCT18), and 27 (OCT27) mg/kg diet of octacosanol isolated from rice bran, respectively. The experiment was conducted in an environmental controlled house and hens were fed twice daily for ad libitum intake. Laying performance was determined over the 42-d period, and egg quality as well as blood metabolites were estimated on d 21 and d 42. Diets in OCT18 and OCT27 increased (p<0.05) laying rate, egg weight, egg mass, egg albumen height, Haugh unit and eggshell strength on d 42, but decreased (p<0.05) feed conversion rate and levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum as compared to those of Control. Feed intake, yolk color, yolk diameter, eggshell thickness and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were similar (p>0.05) among treatments. Results demonstrate that supplementing 18 to 27 mg/kg diet of rice bran octacosanol can improve laying rate and egg quality and reduce blood lipid of laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.588-596
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low doses of organic trace minerals (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) on productive performance, egg quality, yolk and tissue mineral retention, and fecal mineral excretion of laying hens during the late laying period. Methods: A total of 405 healthy hens (HY-Line White, 50-week-old) were randomly divided into 3 treatments, with 9 replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. The dietary treatments included feeding a basal diet + inorganic trace minerals at commercial levels (CON), a basal diet + inorganic trace minerals at 1/3 commercial levels (ITM), and a basal diet + proteinated trace minerals at 1/3 commercial levels (TRT). The trial lasted for 56 days. Results: Compared to CON, ITM decreased (p<0.05) egg production, daily egg mass, albumen height, eggshell strength, yolk Fe concentration, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and total protein, and increased (p<0.05) egg loss and feed to egg ratio. Whereas with productive performance, egg quality, yolk mineral retention, and serum indices there were no differences (p>0.05) between CON and TRT. The concentrations of Fe and Mn in the tissue and tibia were changed notably in ITM relative to CON and TRT. Both ITM and TRT reduced (p<0.05) fecal mineral excretion compared to CON. Conclusion: These results indicate that dietary supplementation of low-dose organic trace minerals reduced fecal mineral excretion without negatively impacting hen performance and egg quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.831-837
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• 2013

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Rhodobacter capsulatus KCTC-2583 on egg-yolk and serum cholesterol, egg production and quality parameters during the late laying periods in hens. A total of 160 Hy-Line Brown layers (54 wk-old) were randomly allotted to 4 treatment groups on the basis of laying performance. Each treatment had 4 replicates with 10 birds each (40 birds per treatment). Two hens were confined individually with cage size $35{\times}35{\times}40$ cm and each 10 birds (5 cages) shared a common feed trough between them forming one experimental unit. Dietary treatments were; basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15% R. capsulatus KCTC-2583. Experimental diets were fed in meal form for 56 d. Dietary supplementation of increasing levels of R. capsulatus KCTC-2583 reduced (linear, p<0.05) egg-yolk cholesterol and triglycerides (d 28, 42 and 56) concentrations. Also, serum cholesterol and triglycerides (d 21, 42 and 56) concentrations were linearly reduced (p<0.05) with increasing dietary R. capsulatus KCTC-2583. Laying hens fed a diet supplemented with increasing levels of R. capsulatus KCTC-2583 had increased (linear; p<0.05) overall egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed efficiency. However, dietary treatments had no effect (linear or quadratic; p>0.05) on feed intake of laying hens. At d 28 and 56, breaking strength and yolk colour of eggs were linearly improved (p<0.05) in laying hens fed dietary increasing levels of R. capsulatus KCTC-2583. Dietary treatment had no effects (linear or quadratic; p>0.05) on albumin height, shell thickness and shell weight at any period of experiment. These results indicate that dietary supplementation of R. capsulatus KCTC-2583 has the potential to improve the laying hen performance and lead to the development of low cholesterol eggs during late laying period in Hy-Line Brown hens.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.629-641
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• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the effects of extruded flaxseed with and without herbs mixture on egg performance, yolk fatty acids (FAs), lipid components, blood biochemistry, serological enzymes, antioxidants, and immune system of Hy-Line W-36 hens for nine weeks. Methods: Two hundred forty laying hens were randomly distributed to eight treatments, resulting in six replicates with five hens. Graded levels of dietary extruded flaxseed (0, 90, 180, and 270 g/kg) with and without herbs mixture (24 g/kg: garlic, ginger, green tea, and turmeric 6 g/kg each) were designed as treatments. Results: The two-way analysis of variance indicated that hens fed herbs mixture had a higher value of egg production, yolk high-density lipoprotein (HDL), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and white blood cell and lower contents of yolk cholesterol, glucose, and blood low-density lipoprotein than those fed diets without herb mixtures (p<0.05). The Flx27 (270 g/kg flaxseed) (153.5 g/kg n-3 FAs) and Flx27+H (270 g/kg flaxseed plus 24 g/kg herbs mixture) (150.5 g/kg n-3 FAs) groups were the most promising treatments in terms of yolk n-3 FAs content. In-teraction effect (herbs- flaxseed) for blood cholesterol, HDL, malondialdehyde, glutaredoxin, alanine transaminase, (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), haemoglobin and immune parameters was significant (p<0.05). The results showed layers fed herbs mixture (Flx9+H, Flx18+H, and Flx27+H) had a better value of total antibody, immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G, ALT, AST, and blood HDL as compared with representative flaxseed levels without herbs. Conclusion: High inclusion levels of extruded flaxseed (270 g/kg) without herbs to enrich eggs with n-3 appears to impair the antioxidant system, immunohematological parameters, and sero-logical enzymes. Interestingly, the herbs mixture supplementation corrected those effects. Therefore, feeding layers with flaxseed-rich diets (270 g/kg) and herbs mixture can be a promising strategy to enrich eggs with n-3 FAs.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2008

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary microbial phytase on egg productivity, egg quality, phosphorus utilization and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. The animals used in the experiment were a total of 120 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (32 weeks old). Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet), 2) LP (low phosphorus diet) 3) NP (low phosphorus diet + 0.03% normal microbial phytase) and 4) CP (low phosphorus diet + 0.03% coated microbial phytase). Six laying hens were allotted to a block (pen) with five replicated. Through the whole period of experiment, egg production was significantly increased in CON and CP treatments compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). CON, CP and NP treatments significantly increased their egg shell breaking strength and egg shell thickness compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). CON, CP and NP treatments resulted higher yolk color and Haugh unit than LP treatment (P<0.05). Calcium and inorganic phosphorus contents in blood were higher in CP treatment compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). Dry matter digestibility and nitrogen digestibility were greater in CP treatment than CON, LP and NP treatments (P<0.05). Crude ash was increased in CON, CP and NP treatments compared to LP treatment (P<0.05). Calcium digestibility and phosphorus digestibility were significantly improved in CP and NP treatments than CON and LP treatments (P<0.05). Calcium retention of CON, CP and NP treatments were higher than LP treatment (P<0.05). Phosphorus retention was increased in CP and NP treatments compared to CON and LP treatments (P<0.05). LP treatment significantly increased their nitrogen, calcium excretion compared to CON, CP and NP treatments (P<0.05). Phosphorus excretion was decreased in LP, CP and NP treatments compared to CON treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, CP treatment improved egg production, egg quality, inorganic calcium and phosphorus in blood, calcium and phosphorus retention and nutrient digestibility and decreased nitrogen and calcium excretion in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.283-293
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• 2006

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary activated charcoal mixed with wood vinegar (AC) on broiler performance and antibiotics residue in eggs. In experiment 1, a total of low hundred fifty, 1-day-old male broile. chicks (Ross) were divided into 6 groups, consisting 3 replicates of 25 birds each, and 134 one of the six experimental diets: devoid of AC and antibiotics (negative control), devoid of AC with 0.1% antibiotics (positive control), devoid of antibiotics with 1% AC, with 0.1% antibiotics and 1% AC, devoid of antibiotics with 2% AC, with 0.1% antibiotics and 2% AC, for 5 wks. Feed consumption and body weights were measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, eight birds from each group were selected and sacrificed. The relative weight of organs and characteristics of breast muscle were investigated. There were no significant differences in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion rate among the treatments. There were also no significant differences in the relative weight of breast meat, leg and liver. The abdominal fat tended to be decreased by the dietary AC. Significant differences were shown (P<0.05) in meat redness (a) and yellowness (b) among the treatments. However, the sensual characteristics of breast muscle was not affected by the dietary treatments. There were significant differences in total microbes, Coli forms and lactic acid bacteria (P<0.05) among the treatments. In experiment 2, a total of ninety, 40-wk-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were divided into 3 groups, consisting 3 replicates of 10 birds each and fed medicated control diet devoid of AC or diets containing 1% AC and 2% AC for 2 wks. The residue of antibiotics in Plasma and egg Yolk were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in 2% AC group compared to that of control. This study suggest that dietary AC may improve the external quality of edible meat and reduced antibiotics residue in chicken eggs without affecting laying performance.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2008

This study was conducted to identify the correlation of bacterial phytase ($Transphos^{(R)}$) to the calcium level in feed. Of all 21-week-old 720 HyLine brown laying hens, 2 birds of similar weight were placed on each individual cage. The experiment was conducted by $3{\times}2{\times}3$ factorial design with including 3 different levels of phytase (0, 300, and 1,000 DPU/kg), 2 different levels of calcium (3.5% and 4.0%), and 3 different levels of no NPP addition 0% (0.095 NPP), 0.5% (0.185% NPP), and 1.0% (0.275% NPP). The feeding trial maintained the ME level of 2,800 kcal/kg and 16% for crude protein. The diet was fed ad libitum and 17 hours of lighting was provided throughout the experimental period. Egg production seemed to increase, in the 300 DPU of bacterial phytase added group and the cracked egg tended to reduce in Transphos added group. The egg productivity between treatment groups did not show significant difference by dietary calcium level, whereas non NPP added group (0.095% NPP) was found to be low compared to NPP added groups (P<0.05). The highest mean egg weight and the highest daily egg mass were detected in 300 DPU phytase added group. Although the mean egg weight was significantly higher in treatment groups fed with 3.5% calcium containing feeds (P<0.05), daily egg mass was no among treatment groups. The mean egg weight and daily egg mass were the lowest in non NPP added group (0.095% NPP) compared to other treatment groups (P<0.05). The feed intake showed similar pattern regardless of the bacterial phytase and calcium levels in the diet. However, the treatment groups fed diets containing NPP level of 0.275% and 0.165% showed significantly higher feed intake than the group fed with 0.095% NPP (P<0.05). Although the feed conversion was not affected by calcium and NPP levels in the diet, the most improved result was obtained from 300 DPU phytase added group (P<0.05). The eggshell breaking strength and thickness increased as dietary calcium level increase the level of calcium increases in diet. The treatment groups fed diet containing 0.275% and 0.165% NPP revealed to show improvement in eggshell breaking strength and yolk color index compared to the NPP non added (0.095% NPP) treatment group. The result of the present study suggests that the appropriate level of microbial phytase is 300 DPU and at this level, tricalciumphosphate supplementation in feed can be reduced to 40% of NRC recommendation. Higher calcium level in feed fail to show synergistic effect by adding microbial phytase.