Utilization of ict-based feeding system on egg production, egg quality, blood parameters and caecal microflora in laying hens

Abstract

Smart poultry farm application technology that enables adequate maintenance and management of a livestock production environment was developed as a remote control method through the convergence of information and communications technology. The objective of this study was to investigate the improvement of egg production and egg-laying quality of laying hens in a smart poultry feeding system (SP) and its working mechanism. A total of 400 laying hens (50-week-old; Hy-line brown) were divided into two groups, in a randomized block design, namely, a conventional feeding system (CON) group and SP group using an enriched cage system of animal welfare type. The birds were reared for 10 weeks. Egg production and egg quality parameters were higher (P<0.05) in the SP group than those in the CON group. Blood RBC, HCT, Hb, platelet count, plateletcrit and electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl”) were higher in the SP group than those in the CON group while helerphils: lymphocyte ratio, ALT, and AST were lower in the SP group (P<0.05). Concentrations of HCO3 and blood partial presure levels were higher in the SP group than those in the CON group whereas partal pressure and total CO2 content in the blood was lower in the SP group (P<0.05). Blood IL-2 and IL-6 mRNA expression levels were higher (P<0.05) in the SP group than those in the CON group. Count of caecal Lactobacillus was higher in the SP group than those in the CON group while that of E. coli, total aerobic bacteria, and coliform bacteria were lower (P<0.05) in the SP group. These results of the blood parameters, immune cell growth, and caecal microflora balance indicate that the smart poultry feeding system can increase the productivity of laying hens in comparison to the conventional feeding system.