Hens In Second Production Cycle Research Articles

The effect of different levels of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) powder and extract on performance, egg quality, blood parameters and immune responses of laying hens in second production cycle.

The present study was carried out to determine the effects of fenugreek powder (FP) and extract (FE) on performance, egg quality, blood parameters and immune responses of laying hens. One-hundred and fifty Leghorn laying hens were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates for eight weeks. Treatments were various levels of FP and FE including zero (control; T1), 1.00% FP (T2), 2.00% FP (T3), 0.10% FE (T4) and 0.20% FE (T5). The results of this experiment showed that feed intake was increased linearly by the inclusion of FP compared to the control group. Supplementation of laying hens diet with 2.00% FP adversely affected feed conversion ratio (FCR). The FCR was decreased by 0.10% inclusion of FE compared to 0.20%. Egg yolk color was the highest when 1.00% FP added to laying hens diets compared to the other treatments. Serum metabolites and immune responses of laying hens were not affected significantly by fenugreek supplementation. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that using 1.00% FP can improve feed intake by supporting FCR. Inclusion of 1.00% FP in laying hens diet enhanced egg yolk color of laying hens in the second production cycle.

Calcium and available phosphorus levels for laying hens in second production cycle

This experiment studied the effect of four calcium (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5%) and four available phosphorus levels (0.25, 0.30, 0.35, and 0.40%) in the diet of semi-heavy commercial layers after molting. Hisex Brown ® layers between 90 and 108 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 4x4 factorial arrangement with 16 treatments of five replicates of eight birds each. mortality, egg production, feed intake, egg mass, average egg weight, calcium and phosphorus intake, feed conversion ratio (per dozen eggs and per kg eggs), eggshell percentage and thickness, eggshell strength, eggshell weight per surface area (ESWSA), yolk percentage and color, albumen percentage, albumen and yolk heights, and blood and excreta calcium and phosphorus concentrations. There was no interaction (P>0.05) between dietary Ca and avP for any of the studied parameters. There were linear increases in Ca intake (P 0.05) by dietary Ca and avP levels. The diet containing 4.5% calcium improved feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs and eggshell quality. The lowest avP level fed (0.25%) is sufficient to maintain the performance and the egg quality of semi-heavy commercial layers after molting.

BIOMETRIA DO INTESTINO DE POEDEIRAS COMERCIAIS SUBMETIDAS A PROGRAMAS DE MUDA FORÇADA

The forced molting in commercial laying hens had being utilized for get better the performance of birds for one more cycle of production of eggs. The experiment was aimed at evaluating the intestinal biometric parameters in laying hens submitted to the different forced molting program. Third two Hisex Brown laying hen with 58 weeks of age were randomly subdivided into four programs (P1- California program; P2- diet of low-calcium; T3- diet of high-zinc and P4- diet of low-sodium) in two replications constituted of four birds each. The biometric parameters occurred at 28th and 140nd days and for this, four birds were sacrificed of each program in the period cited. The bird corporal weight and the relative weight of the intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and rectum) were obtained on electronic precision scales and the lengths were measured. The data were submitted to the variance analysis and in case of significant difference; the averages were compared by the Tukey´s test. It was observed the commercial laying P1 and P3 the smallest mean body and relative weights (no significant) and lengths in relation to the chickens P2 and P4 and to the 140th days the corporal weight, relative weight and length of the intestine of chickens were larger. Concluded that the different programs of forced molting presented similar results and they can be used for commercial laying hens in second production cycle. KEY WORDS: Digestory system, nutricional manage, physiology, postmolt.

Suplementação de Ferro para Poedeiras Comerciais de Segundo Ciclo de Produção

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da suplementação de ferro, proveniente do sulfato ferroso (26% de ferro), em ração à base de milho e farelo de soja, sobre o desempenho, qualidade do ovo, deposição de ferro na gema e parâmetros sangüíneos de poedeiras comerciais no segundo ciclo de produção. Foram utilizadas 240 poedeiras comerciais Lohmann-LSL, oriundas de plantel comercial e submetidas a muda forçada com 72 semanas de idade, alojadas em galpão convencional de postura, em uma densidade de três aves por gaiola (25 x 45 x 40 cm). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com os tratamentos constando níveis de 0, 20, 40, 60 e 80 ppm de ferro suplementar, com quatro repetições de 12 aves, e três períodos de avaliações de 28 dias cada. A ração utilizada foi à base de milho e farelo de soja, contendo 127 ppm de ferro analisado. A suplementação de ferro não interferiu no desempenho, na qualidade interna e externa dos ovos e nos parâmetros sangüíneos das poedeiras. O conteúdo de ferro na gema (mg/100g) elevou-se linearmente quando houve aumento da suplementação deste até o nível de 80 ppm, utilizado no presente trabalho.