• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.500-508
• /
• 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
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.573-581
• /
• 2006

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplemental methionine, lysine, choline, and sulfur on laying performance, metabolic parameters, and egg quality of hens fed diets containing sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) during the peak laying period. Lohman layers (n = 144), 30-wk of age as 6 replicate cages of 4 hens, were allocated randomly to receive basal diets containing either 22% corn (B) or 22% sorghum (BS) and diets BS plus 0.57% methionine, 0.66% lysine, 0.47% choline, or 0.05% sulfur for 98 d. Feed intake (FI) and egg production (EP) were recorded daily, egg weight (EW) was measured bi-weekly, and body weight (BW) was measured monthly. A sample of 12 eggs from each experimental group was collected every month to evaluate egg quality. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for metabolite concentrations. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA as repeated measures and significant differences between the experimental groups were assessed using Duncan's Multiple Range test. Partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet did not affect BW, EP, and FCR but increased FI by 5.7% and EW by 2.4%. The effects of additives on laying performance were variable. Except for serum total protein (STP) concentration, other metabolic parameters were not affected by partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet. Hens fed diet BS had lower SPT concentration than hens fed diet B. Except for methionine supplementation, other supplements ameliorated depression in STP concentration. The additives did not affect other metabolic parameters. Egg quality responses to the experimental diets were also variable. Partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet did not affect eggshell characteristics (both thickness and stiffness), whereas it had variable effects on inner egg quality parameters (increased yolk index, depressed yolk color, and unaltered albumen index and Haugh unit). In conclusion, laying hen diets could include low-tannin sorghum (0.26%) up to 22% without necessitating extra supplements to overcome compromised performance.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
• /
• 2002.11a
• /
• pp.120-121
• /
• 2002

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of feeding Monascus Purpures(MP) on the growth performance of broiler chicks and egg qualify in laying hens. In Expt 1, MP were supplemented with 0. 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0% in basal diets. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion were examined for five weeks and blood cholesterol, protein were measured at the end of experiment. In Expt 2, diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0% MP were fed for two weeks. Egg qualify and yolk cholesterol were weekly measured. In Expt 1, Basal diets containing CP 21.5, 19%, ME 3,100, 3,200 kcal/kg were fed ad libitum for starting and finsihing period, repectively. In Expt 2, hens diet contained CP 16%, ME 2,800 kca1/kg and fed for two weeks. In Expt 1, weight gain of birds fed 2.0% MP was maximized at five weeks of age. Feed efficiency was not statistically different, but tended to improve in 1.0, 2.0% MP supplemental groups compared with control. Total serum cholesterol tended to be lower in 2.0% MP supplemental group but was not statistically different. In Expt 2, albumen height and Haugh unit of birds fed 1.0 and 2.0% MP were higher than other treatments, but was not statistically different. Yolk cholesterol of hens fed MP diets showed no significance.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.361-368
• /
• 2013

This experiment was conducted to determine optimum levels of dietary crude protein for productivity and egg quality in laying hens during early stage. A total of seven hundred and twenty 24-wk-old Hy-Line Variety Brown layers were randomly assigned to 4 experimental diets varying with 16%, 17%, 18%, and 19% CP and fed the diets for 12 wks. There were no significant differences in egg production, daily egg mass and feed intake among experimental diets. Although no difference was found on egg weight among experimental diets, decreasing levels of dietary crude protein tended to reduce the egg weight. Haugh unit and egg shell quality were not affected by different levels of dietary crude protein. Although there was no difference on yolk color among experimental diets, increasing levels of dietary crude protein slightly reduced the yolk color. It is concluded that laying hens did not need more than 16% CP to maximize egg production.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.471-477
• /
• 2008

Development of egg, larvae and juveniles for the Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus are described following natural fertilization in the indoor tank of $25^{\circ}C$ water temperature. Following a routine hormone treatment technique for the brood stock, male and female mackerels were artificially matured by intramuscular injections of LHRHa at a dosage of $400{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW)+Domperidone at a dosage of $4{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW) to induce maturation in a separate aquarium and induced natural spawning. Fertilized eggs were ca. 1.0 mm in diameter; spherical in shape with a single oil globule; pelagic and non-adhesive. Hatching occurs 41 hours after fertilization at $23-24^{\circ}C$. The newly hatched larvae was 3.03 mm in average total length (ATL), the mouth and anus were not open, oil globule located in posterior end of yolk sac, and preanal length was 42.8% of TL. The larvae measuring 2.89 mm ATL, almost absorbed yolk sac and oil globule material in 2 days after hatching, in which the mouth and anus were open. Melanophores, branch or star in shape were observed on the top of head, peritoneal region and along the ventral contour. In 13 days after hatching, the larvae was 6.88 mm ATL, its posterior end of notochord began to flex upward, finfold of caudal fin appeared, jaw teeth were already formed. In 19 days after hatching, the larvae was 7.71 mm ATL completed only caudal fin rays (9+8), and preanal length was 49.4% of TL. In 37 days after hatching, the larvae was 27.4 mm ATL already completed all the fins, and preanal length was 59.9% of TL.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.127-131
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of expanding feed processing technologies on the egg characteristics and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. A total of two hundred seventy laying hens were randomly allocated into three treatments with fifteen replications for six weeks. Dietary treatments include 1) MS(mash), 2) EC(expanded crumble) and 3) EP(expanded pellet). In the egg production, the EC and EP treatments were significantly higher than MS treatment(p<0.05). However, no significant difference was founded in egg weight(p>0.05). Egg shell breaking was increased in EC and EP treatments compared with MS treatment(p<0.05), however, egg shall thickness showed no significant difference(p>0.05). Egg production and egg shell breaking were significantly higher in EC and EP treatments than MS treatment(p<0.05), but egg weight and egg shell thickness were no significantly difference among treatment(p<0.05). Yolk color was increased in EC treatment compared with other treatments(p<0.05). Also, yolk index was significantly improved in EC and EP treatments compared with MS treatment(p<0.05). Haugh unit was increased in EC treatment compared with MS treatment(p<0.05). EC treatment had improved DM, Ca and P digestibility. In conclusion, Expanded crumble and pellet processing could improve the egg characteristic and nutrient digestibility in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.181-185
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on egg production and egg quality in laying hens. A total of 114 (30-wk age) ISA brown commercial hens were used in current trial for 28 days. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet), 2) 0.05 (basal diet + ALA 0.05%), 3) 0.1 (basal diet + ALA 0.1%) and 4) 0.2 (basal diet + ALA 0.2%). There were four dietary treatments with four replication per treatment and twelve laying hens per replication. During the overall period, egg production was quadratically affected (P=0.01) by ALA supplementation compared with control treatment. Egg weight increased (linear effect, P=0.01; quadratic effect, P=0.01) as the level of delta-aminolevulinic acid supplementation increased in the diets. Yolk color was increased quadratically (P=0.03). The difference of hemoglobin concentration was increased (quadratic effect, P=0.01) as the level of delta-aminolevulinic acid supplementation increased in the diets. In conclusion, the results of the experiment suggest that dietary delta-aminolevulinic acid could affect egg weight, yolk color and hemoglobin concentration in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.11
• /
• pp.1553-1561
• /
• 2004

Two feeding trials were conducted with 128 pullets from 4 to 20 weeks of age and 96 laying hens from 23 to 63 weeks of age to evaluate the effects of scavenging and type of protein supplement on the feed intake and performance of improved pullets and laying hens. The experiments had a completely randomized design with four dietary treatments and four replicates. Treatments were: Control (Cont), scavenging but with access to a balanced concentrate at night; confinement (CF) and given the control feed ad libitum; scavenging and supplemented at night with the control feed, but with soybean meal replaced by cassava leaf meal (CLM); scavenging and supplemented at night with the control feed, but with fishmeal replaced y soybean meal (SBM). The mean daily dry matter (DMI), metabolizable energy (MEI) and crude protein intakes (CPI) of the pullets and laying hens, respectively, were 28%, and 18% higher for the confinement treatment (CF) compared to the scavenging treatments (p<0.001). The DMI, MEI and CPI of the pullets were not significantly different among scavenging treatments (p>0.05), but for the layers DMI, MEI and CPI were significantly higher for the CLM and SBM treatments compared to the Cont treatment (p<0.001). In the growing period, the average daily weight gain (ADG), supplement feed conversion ratio (FCR) and supplement feed cost/kg eggs (FCS) were not significantly different for CF compared to Cont, and among scavenging treatments (p>0.05). In the laying period, the hen-day production was significantly lower, and supplement FCR and FCS significantly higher for the CF compared to the scavenging treatments (p<0.001). Egg weight, and yolk, albumen and shell percentage and shape index were not significantly different among the scavenging treatments (p>0.05). However, shell and yolk percentages were significantly lower for the CF compared to the Cont treatment (p<0.01). Mortality was significantly higher for the CF compared to the scavenging treatments for pullets, and was significantly lower for the CF compared to scavenging treatments for laying hens (p<0.001). It was concluded that scavenging pullets and layers were getting around 28% and 18%, respectively, of their nutrient requirements from scavenging activities, resulting in correspondingly lower supplement feed conversion ratios and feed costs. Daily gains of the pullets were not affected by scavenging or protein supplement, but egg production and mortality were lower for the confined hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.174-183
• /
• 2001

During the rapid phase of gonadal development of the freshwater teleost, the catfish (Silurus asotus), the influence of hCG upon the inducement of final oocyte maturation and spawning was investigated electrophoretically and ultrastructurally. The electrophoretic patterns obtained were different in the presence and absence of some of the major or minor zones, because of the hormone level in catfish. The vitellogenin of hormone-treated fish was stained more intensively than that of sham-treated fish. These proteins showed some minor or main bands of egg extracts which migrated at positions corresponding to molecular weights of approximately 90,000. However, the thickness of electrophoretic band in molecular weight for hCG-treated fish was slightly lower than that for saline control. It seemed the plasma protein with molecular weight of approximately 45,000 in hCG-treated fish disappeared. In contrast to the control fish, the ovaries in the catfish treated with hCG shows a marked ultrastructural change under the electron microscope. No dilated profiles were seen in the granulosa cells of the mature oocyte before ovulation. After germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), the zona radiata interna (ZRI) becomes more compact, and there is a loss of all the processes from the pore canals. There is a wide space between the vitelline membrane and zona radiata. Also, during final maturation, the microvillar processes from the oocyte are seen no longer to penetrate deeply into the extracellular spaces of the overlying granulosa cells, and the reticulate patterns of the zona radiata interna becomes occluded, giving the zona radiata a more solid appearance. It has been possible to initiate 100% oocyte maturation in yolk granules and follicles in vivo by treatment with hCG and a high water temperature ($27^{\circ}C$). In hCG-treated fish, the percentages of successful artificial fertilization and hatching were maximal at 15 h after a single injection. It seems clear that a long acting preparation containing hCG can be successfully used in prespawning fish to advance the final events of gonadal maturation and initiate spawning. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of hCG to either stimulate or inhibit the reproductive development of fish at other stages of the seasonal reproductive cycle.

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