Internal Egg Quality Characteristics Research Articles

Effect of Turmeric Powder Supplementation on Egg Production, Hatchability and Internal Egg Quality Characteristics of Quail Eggs

Effect of Turmeric Powder Supplementation on Egg Production, Hatchability and Internal Egg Quality Characteristics of Quail Eggs

Effects of housing systems and laying phases on external and internal egg quality characteristics of indigenous guinea fowl hens.

The study investigated the effect of housing system and laying phases on the internal and external qualities of guinea fowl eggs laid in three different housing systems. The trial involved the use of 117, 34-wk-old guinea fowl hens which were assigned to three housing types, which were battery cages, deep litter, and deep litter housing systems with free runs, which had the same dimensions as deep litter houses but with free run and open-air space to allow the birds to have free access to soil and exhibit natural behavior. The laying phases of the birds were partitioned into three (36 to 40, 41 to 45, and 46 to 50wk of age). The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a 2×3 factorial design. The findings demonstrated that both housing type and laying period significantly influenced egg quality parameters, with deep litter housing exhibiting higher egg weight, egg breadth, and shell surface area. Battery cage housing had thicker shells and a higher percentage of shell weight than total egg weight. As the birds aged, most parameters increased, while shell thickness decreased. The interaction between housing type and laying period played a crucial role, with egg weight, breadth, and egg shape index increasing as the birds aged. The shell thickness decreased as the laying period progressed across all housing systems. During the 40 to 45wk period of lay, they exhibited the highest albumen height, haugh unit, and % yolk weight. The study's findings highlight how the interaction between the housing system and the laying period impacted the internal quality of guinea fowl eggs.

A study of egg quality characteristics for two Asiatic (Coturnix japonica) and two European (Coturnix coturnix) quail lines

The present study was carried out at the Dept. of Animal Production, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. A total of 64 female quails from four lines involved two European (White and Dark Ukrainian) and two Asiatic (White and Dark Local) aged 56 days old, were equally distributed into four trial groups containing 16 birds for each. The aim was to investigate both external and internal egg quality characteristics. The following traits were measured; weights, lengths (high) and diameters of egg, yolk, albumen and shell; and the indices of shape, yolk and albumen were computed; also, Haugh units and percentages of yolk, albumen and shell were calculated. The results revealed the significant (p<0.01) superiority of European quails on Asiatic ones in egg quality characteristics; also, the white Ukrainian line appeared a significant difference (p<0.01) compared to the rest lines for egg weight and yolk percentage; however, Haugh units resulted in almost the same values for both European lines which surpassed significantly (p<0.01) both Asiatic ones; the same trend was found for albumen index. Most correlation coefficients between egg quality characteristics were significant (p<0.01), and the highest coefficient was between Haugh units and albumen index (0.89); therefore, the regression analysis derived an effective equation between them for future prediction with a high coefficient of variation (R2= 0.8). In conclusion, Ukrainian-European quail surpassed in its egg quality Asiatic ones, and Haugh units as a major quality indicator can be predicted from the albumen index for quail’s eggs.

Phenotypic Correlation and Prediction of Body Weight from Body Linear Measurement of Nigerian Indigenous Pigeon in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State

The study was conducted using one hundred and fifty matured domestic pigeons to measure body linear parameters as well as external and internal egg quality characteristics in other to determine phenotypic relationships and predict body weight from body linear measurements. Data were collected on body weight, shank length, breast girth, body length, wing length, tail length and beak length at maturity. Two hundred eggs were collected and analyzed for both external and internal quality characteristics. The data obtained were analyzed using the correlation and regression procedure of SPSS Statistical software. The result obtained from this study body weight correlate positively with all other body linear parameters. However, the relationships between beak length and other body parameters except body weight were negative and mostly low. The strongest relationship in this study was between body weight and shank length. The coefficient of determination was highest for shank length (0.710), followed by wing length (0.680), breast girth (0.630) while tail length had the least coefficient of determination (0.360). It was suggested that the best equation for predicting body weight from linear body measurement could be: BW = 40.9+1.96BL-0.84WL+3.98BG+0.112SL. From the findings of this study, it was concluded that shank length is the most suitable body measurement that could be used for selection of domestic pigeon due to its strongest phenotypic correlation with body weight and other body parameters.

Effects of supplemental dried wild leek (Allium scorodoprasum L. subsp. rotundum) leaves on laying performance, egg quality characteristics, and oxidative stability in laying hens

This study aimed to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of dried wild leek (Allium scorodoprasum L. subsp. rotundum) leaves on laying performance, egg traits, antioxidant status, and oxidative stability in laying hens. For this purpose, a total of 96 Lohmann White laying hens aged 22 weeks allocated into four treatment groups each containing 24 hens. Hens were fed a diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1 (WL1), 2 (WL2), and 3 (WL3) g/kg dried wild leek (DWL) leaves. During the 10-week trial, egg weight was increased and feed efficiency was improved with 2 and 3 g/kg DWL leaves. No significant differences were observed among groups for egg production, feed intake, internal and external egg quality characteristics, and egg yolk cholesterol concentration. Levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant-oxidant status of egg yolk were not affected from DWL supplementation. However, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was increased and oxidative stress index was decreased in egg yolk. Superoxide dismutase enzyme activity was increased in the group of WL3, and total antioxidant status levels were increased in the groups of WL2 and WL3 in serum. DWL supplementation reduced serum cholesterol concentration significantly. No marked changes were observed in other blood parameters. In conclusion, DWL is considered to be high antioxidant supplement due to having high antioxidant capacity and important bioactive compounds. Dietary supplementation of DWL leaves at 3 g/kg could be a viable and beneficial feed additive to improve egg weight and feed efficiency, increase DPPH radical scavenging activity in egg yolk and antioxidant status of hen. Therefore, the usage of DWL leaves in the laying hen diets will be beneficial for egg producers and poultry nutritionists to produce functional eggs having low cholesterol and high antioxidants.

Effect of dried orange peel on egg production and quality of laying hen

Utilization of agricultural by-products in animal nutrition is a practice as old as the domestication of animals. The dried orange peel (DOP), by-product of citrus industry is a promising source of diversified bioactive ingredients with beneficial effects on health. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the dietary effect of DOP on production and, internal and external egg quality characteristics of laying hens. A total of 60 layers of 25 weeks of age were segregated into three dietary treatment groups using a completely randomized design and reared up to 42 weeks. The dietary treatments were control (basal diet), 5% DOP (basal diet + 5% DOP), and 10% DOP (basal diet + 10% DOP). The study revealed that dietary DOP significantly decreased the feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of layers (p &lt; 0.05) without having any significant effects on egg production, egg weight and egg mass. None of the exterior egg quality parameters were significantly affected by the dietary supplementation of DOP (p &gt; 0.05). Among interior egg quality attributes, the albumen height, albumen index, yolk color, and Haugh unit were all considerably elevated through supplementation of 10% DOP (p &lt; 0.05). Nevertheless, the yolk index was raised by both 5% and 10% DOP supplementation (p &lt; 0.05). The relative weight of ovarian grape and oviduct did not affect by the supplementation of DOP with layer diet (p &gt; 0.05). In summary, it may be said that layer diets can be supplemented with DOP up to 10% level to improve FCR, albumen index, yolk index, yolk color and Haugh unit without compromising egg production or exterior egg quality. Further studies are recommended with layer diets supplemented with DOP at levels higher than 10% to determine the ideal DOP dose during other production periods in various layer strains.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 51 (3): 98-106, 2022

Effect of Production System and Age on Egg Quality Parameters: A Case of Niğde Province Çamardı District, Turkey

This study compared egg quality parameters in layers under free-range system with prefabricated pens and backyard while emphasizing hen age. A total of 300 eggs collected from prefabricated pens and backyard farming families in the Çamardı District of Niğde Province were used as study materials. The assessed external and internal egg quality characteristics included egg weight, shape index, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, Haugh unit, yolk index, and yolk colour. The effect of production system on albumen index, Haugh unit, and yolk colour score was found statistically significant. There was a significant effect of age on shape index, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, Haugh Unit, yolk index, and yolk colour score. The effect of interaction between age and production system was statistically significant for shape index, shell thickness, yolk index, Haugh Unit, and yolk colour score. It was determined that the egg`s meat and blood spots percentages from the free-range and backyard systems were 10.6% and 15.3%, respectively. It was concluded that while eggs produced from free-range system are superior in terms of egg weight, shape index, and Haugh unit those obtained from backyard hens are higher in eggshell thickness, eggshell breaking strength, and egg yolk colour.

Effect of storage duration and temperature on external and internal egg quality characteristics of fertile and non-fertile eggs

Due to consumer attitude and perception on fertile and non-fertile eggs from pervious study, this this study aimed to evaluate the interaction effect of temperature and storage duration on fertile and non-fertile eggs on egg quality characteristics. A total of 600 eggs were obtained from Lohmann brown hens, at 44 weeks. Roasters were removed from the hen that laid non- fertile eggs. Eggs collection started after 30 days of roaster withdrawal. Eggs were stored for 5, 10, 15 and 20 days respectively under room temperature (ambient) 27 – 310C and refrigeration (100C) temperature in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement of a completely randomized design. Egg quality characteristics and sensory evaluation were assessed using standard procedures. Data were analysed using ANOVA at á0.05. The yolk weight, yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk ratio and yolk index showed significant differences (p&lt;0.05) with storage days. Yolk colour of fertile egg stored in refrigerator at day 15 was significantly higher than other storage days. The albumen weight, albumen height, albumen length, albumen ratio and Haugh unit shows significant difference (p&lt;0.05). Overall acceptability of fertile eggs was recorded to be the highest at day 10 of storage at room temperature. In conclusion, interaction between storage days and temperature revealed that fertile eggs can be stored in refrigerator and at room for 10 days without adverse effect on the eggs quality. En raison de l'attitude des consommateurs et de la perception sur les œufs fertiles et non fertiles provenant d'études perméables, cette étude visait à évaluer l'effet d'interaction de la température et de la durée de stockage sur les œufs fertiles et non fertiles sur les caractéristiques de qualité des œufs. Un total de 600 oeufs ont été obtenus à partir de poules brunes Lohmann, à 44 semaines. Les torréfacteurs ont été retirés de la poule qui pondait des œufs non fertiles. La collecte des œufs a commencé après 30 jours de retrait de la rôtissoire. Les œufs ont été conservés pendant 5, 10, 15 et 20 jours respectivement sous température ambiante (ambiante) 27 - 310C et température de réfrigération (100C) dans un arrangement factorial de 2 x 5 d'une conception complètement randomisée. Les caractéristiques de qualité des œufs et l'évaluation sensorielle ont été évaluées à l'aide de procédures normalisées. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide d'ANOVA à á0,05. Le poids du jaune, la taille du jaune, le diamètre du jaune, le rapport jaune et l'indice du jaune ont montré des différences significatives (p&lt;0.05) avec les jours de stockage. La couleur jaune des œufs fertiles conservés au réfrigérateur au jour 15 était significativement plus élevée que les autres jours d'entreposage. Le poids d'albumen, la hauteur d'albumen, la longueur d'albumen, le rapport d'albumen et l'unité de Haugh montre la différence significative (p&lt;0,05). Dans l'ensemble, l'acceptabilité des œufs fertiles a été enregistrée comme la plus élevée au jour 10 de l'entreposage à température ambiante. En conclusion, l'interaction entre les jours d'entreposage et la température a révélé que les œufs fertiles peuvent être conservés au réfrigérateur et à la pièce pendant 10 jours sans effet négatif sur la qualité des œufs.

Effects of Marigold Petal and Leaves on Yolk Pigmentation in Laying Hens

The experiment was conducted to investigate the egg yolk color of commercial laying hens fed different levels of marigold petals and leaves. A total number of 48 Hy-Line Brown layers aged at 80 weeks were randomly distributed into 6 dietary treatments having 4 replications, each of 2 birds, and fed 5 different levels of marigold petal and leaves (0.5 and 1% of yellow marigold petal, 2 and 4% of orange marigold petal and 1% of marigold leaves) for the duration of 6 weeks. The influence of test ingredients on production characteristics of laying hens, external (shape index, eggshell thickness) and, internal (egg yolk color score, yolk index, albumen index, Haugh unit) egg quality characteristics were investigated simultaneously. Yolk color was improved significantly for the addition of marigold petals and leaves as compared to the control diet. Marigold feeding to Hy-Line Brown up to 4% did not show any adverse effects on egg production and egg weight and there were no significant variations concerning body weight. Egg yolk color was measured by the Roche Yolk Color Fan and by CIE*(L*a*b*) colorimetric method. A significant increase in egg yolk color was observed in the treatments that received the yellow and orange marigold petal and marigold leaves (P

Effect of diets containing raw and processed pigeon pea seed meal on external and internal egg quality characteristics of laying quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica ) Ke

Three hundred and sixty, sixweek old Japanese quail hens (Coturnix coturnix japonica)were used to evaluate the effect of processed pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) seed meal (PPSM) on egg quality characteristics of laying birds. The processingmethodswere soaking (24, 48 and 72 hours), fermentation (72 hours), boiling (60minutes) and roasting (30minutes). The birds were divided into eight groups of 45 per treatment each replicated three times with 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The birds were raised in cages measuring 75cm × 75cm × 60cm. Eight experimental diets were formulated containing processed PPSM at 30 % of diet representing T1 (control), T2 (raw PPSM), T3 (soaked PPSM for 24 hours), T4 (soaked PPSMfor 48 hours), T5 (soaked PPSMfor 72 hours), T6 (soaked PPSM for 24 hours and fermented for 72 hours), T7 (boiling for 60minutes) and T8 (roasted PPSM for 30 minutes) respectively. The experiment lasted for 20 weeks. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The results showed that processed PPSM had no significant (P&gt;0.05) effect on eggweight, egg height, egg diameter, egg shape index, egg shell thickness aswell as albumen height, albumen diameter, albumen weight, yolk diameter, yolk weight, yolk index and haugh unit across the dietary treatments. It is concluded that raw and processed PPSM had no significant (P&gt;0.05) effect on the egg quality characteristics of laying quails. In addition, inclusion of raw PPSM in quail diets posed no threat to the health status of the birds.

Influence of sire on internal egg quality and linear body traits of Japanese quail raised in the humid tropical environment

A total of 270 pedigreed-hatched day old chicks of three strains of Japanese quail generated from a base population of 36 adultswere used in a randomized complete block design to estimate the influence of sire on the internal egg quality and linear body traits of the birds. Parameters measured were internal egg quality traits - albumen height, yolk height, albumen weight, yolk weight, albumen diameter, albumen length, yolk width, yolk length, yolk index, and haugh unit, and growth traits - body weight, thigh length, breast length, body length, keel length, wing length, and shank length. Results showed that linear bodyparameters were significant (P&lt;0.05) except body weight at week 9. Panda white x Cinnamon brown (PWxCB) progenies out-performed the progenies of the other strains mainly at week 9. The PWxCB strain had the highest values in the following: body weight (159.30), thigh length (4.76), breast width (7.40), body length (11.94), keel length (6.77), and shank length (3.44). The haugh unit value was significantly (P&lt; 0.05) different among the three strains mainly at week 8 with CBxCB strain having higher value of (89.07) followed by PWxCB strain (89.03). The phenotypic correlations between the linear body parameters andinternal egg quality traits in Cinnamon brown x Cinnamon brown (CBxCB) strain were significant (P&lt;0.01) in keel length and yolk weight (0.534) and between shank length and yolk weight (0.473) at week 9. For PWxCB strain, high significant (P&lt;0.01) correlation were seen between shank lengthand albumen length (0.631) at week 8, body weight and yolk index at week 9. Silver brown x Cinnamon brown (SBxCB) strain also showed high positive significant (P&lt;0.01) correlation between shank length and yolk weight (0.541), breast width and albumen weight (0.537) and between body length and albumen weight (0.625) at week 9.These positive correlations imply that by direct selection for any linear body trait for increased meat production, there will be a remarkable genetic improvement in the internal egg quality trait. It can be concluded that PWxCB is a strain of choice for improved growth and internal egg quality characteristics.

Effect of phenotype on egg quality characteristics of F1 locally-adapted Turkey of Nigeria

The local breeds of animals in Nigeria deserve improvement in their genetic profile and physiological status. A total of 78 day-old Random-bred Nigeria local turkey poults were used as parent stock to generate another 232 day-old poults (F 1) to evaluate the Nigerian local turkey phenotypes based on egg quality parameters. Three phenotypic classes (black, white and spotted) were obtained as base population and used to generate F1 progeny for the study. Experimental design for the experiment was a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with phenotypic class as major factor of interest and hatches as block. The egg quality characteristics, namely egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape index were the external egg quality characteristics while the internal egg quality characteristics include the albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk width and Haugh Unit. These egg parameters were significantly (p&lt;0.05) highest in the black variety. Shell thickness, albumen height and yolk index were not significantly different (p&gt;0.05) in the three local turkey phenotypes. Generally, the black varieties had highest values internal egg quality traits. It is therefore, concluded that for rapid improvement of these traits, the black variety could be used to enhance egg quality and reproduction of Nigerian local turkeys in the study area. The present findings could assist in the design of long-term genetic improvement programmes for turkey production in Nigeria.

Egg quality characteristics of layer hens fed varying levels of yellow cocoyam corm meal (&lt;i&gt;Xanthosoma sagittifolium&lt;/i&gt;) as energy source

This experiment was carried out to determine the effect of sun-dried cocoyam corm meal (SDCCM) on the performance and egg quality characteristics of layer hens. Poultry industry in Nigeria is faced with numerous challenges among which is the scarcity and high cost of poultry feed fueled by high cost of energy and protein feed feedstuffs such as maize, sorghum, oat, millet etc. Cocoyam corm meal has been discovered as cheaper energy source than grains such as maize or wheat and was used to formulate layer hens’ diets as energy source at 0.0%, 10.0%, 15.0% and 20% levels of inclusion respectively. These were used to feed a batch of one hundred and twenty (120) Isa brown pullets starting at their point of lay for a fifty-six (56) days feeding trial. The birds were grouped into four treatments of 30 hens per group and replicated three times with 10 birds per group in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Proximate composition of the experimental material was evaluated while the laying hens performance and egg quality characteristics were determined. The results obtained showed no treatment effect (P&gt;0.05) for all the performance characteristics except for feed cost and hen – day egg production which were significantly reduced (P&lt;0.05) in the test diets at 20% dietary levels. Similarly, all the external egg quality characteristics measured in this study were similar (P&gt;0.05) in all the treatments means except for egg shell weight which was reduced significantly (P&lt;0.05) in T4 (20% DCCM). However, all the treatment groups retained similar (P&lt;0.05) egg shell thickness and were within the range of 0.30 – 0.36mm reported for egg shell thickness. However, for internal egg quality characteristics, results obtained in all the treatment means were similar (P&gt;0.05). Albumen height and haugh unit values were, 7.19, 7.36, 7.13, and 7.23cm and 83.75, 83.79, 82.53 and 83.80 respectively. It was therefore concluded that dried cocoyam corm meal is an ideal feed ingredient in layer hen’s diets at 20% inclusion level.&#x0D; Keywords: Performance, egg quality characteristics, layer hens and sun-dried cocoyam corm meal.

Phenotypic Correlation Between External and Internal Egg Quality Characteristics in 85-Week-Old Laying Hens

Background and Objective: Several studies confirm that the age of hens has a tremendous impact on external and internal egg quality characteristics. Egg production could be at serious risk if egg quality characteristics and age of hens are not seriously considered. This study was conducted to analyze the phenotypic correlations between some internal and external egg quality characteristics in old laying hens. Materials and Methods: A total of 288 eggs of 85-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were collected during 3 weeks and their internal and external egg characteristics were evaluated. Results: Phenotypic correlations between egg quality characteristics in old laying hens indicate a negative impact on shell and albumen quality but not affected yolk quality characteristics. Conclusion: This study helps to understand that raising laying hens above 80 weeks would have a negative impact on egg quality characteristics.

Prediction of internal egg quality characteristics and variable selection using regularization methods: ridge, LASSO and elastic net

Abstract. This study was conducted to determine the inner quality characteristics of eggs using external egg quality characteristics. The variables were selected in order to obtain the simplest model using ridge, LASSO and elastic net regularization methods. For this purpose, measurements of the internal and external characteristics of 117 Japanese quail eggs were made. Internal quality characteristics were egg yolk weight and albumen weight; external quality characteristics were egg width, egg length, egg weight, shape index and shell weight. An ordinary least square method was applied to the data. Ridge, LASSO and elastic net regularization methods were performed to remove the multicollinearity of the data. The regression estimating equations of the internal egg quality were significant for all methods (P&lt;0.01). The goodness of fit of the regression estimating equations for egg yolk weight was 58.34, 59.17 and 59.11 % for the ridge, LASSO and elastic net methods, respectively. For egg albumen weight the goodness of fit of the regression estimating equations was 75.60 %, 75.94 % and 75.81 % for the respective ridge, LASSO and elastic net methods. It was revealed that LASSO, including two predictors for both egg yolk weight and egg albumen weight, was the best model with regard to high predictive accuracy.

Effect of egg weight on external and internal egg quality traits of Isa Brown egg layer chickens in Nigeria

This study was designed to determine the effect of egg weight on internal and external egg quality characteristics of Isa brown egg layer chickens. A total number of 105 eggs collected within 24 hours of lay were used for the study. Eggs were numbered, weighed and classified into three egg weight groups: Light (less than 49.99 g), medium (50 to 55 g) and heavy (greater than 55 g) egg weight groups. Data were collected on internal egg quality characteristics (yolk height, albumen height, albumen length, albumen width, Haugh unit, yolk index, albumen index and yolk diameter) and external egg quality characteristics (egg length, egg width, oblong circumference, egg shell weight, egg shape index and egg shell thickness). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Egg weight had significant (P 0.05) affect Haugh Unit, yolk index, albumen index, and albumen length of the three egg weight groups. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among the light, medium and heavy egg weight groups in terms of yolk height, yolk diameter, and albumen height and albumen width. Positive correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between egg weight and egg length, egg width, oblong circumference, eggshell weight and eggshell thickness. Egg weight also correlated positively (P < 0.05) with yolk height, yolk diameter, albumen height and width.

&lt;b&gt;Productive performance, egg quality and bone characteristics of quails fed with meal and canola oil

This study evaluated the effect of canola meal and oil in quail diet on productive performance, egg quality and bone characteristics. Quails (n = 84) with 150-days-of-age and average weight of 234±17 g were used in this experiment that lasted 84 days. The experiment consisted of a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 7 replications with 3 birds each. Four diets were formulated: SM+SO - control diet with soybean meal and oil; MC+SO - 25% replacement of soybean meal with canola meal; MC+CO - 25% replacement of soybean meal with canola meal and complete replacement of canola oil with soybean oil; SM+OC - control diet with soybean meal and canola oil. Productive performance, internal and external egg quality and bone characteristics were evaluated. The diet with canola meal and oil (MC+CO) decreased (p &lt;0.05) feed conversion. Albumen height was lower (p &lt; 0.05) for treatments with canola meal and oil (MC+CO). Regardless of the oil used, the dietary canola meal (MC+SO and MC+CO) reduced the weight and length of tibia (p &lt; 0.05), but increased its ash content (p &lt; 0.05). The mixture of canola oil and meal decreases feed conversion, and negatively affects internal egg quality and bone characteristics of quails.

PERFORMANCE AND EGG QUALITY OF LAYING HENS FED VARIOUSLY TREATED COCOA (THEOBROMA CACAO)BEAN SHELL BASED DIETS

Cocoa Bean Shell (CBS) is a potential source of protein and energy substitute for grains in livestock diets. However, there is paucity of information on the extent of its replacement value for maize in layers diet. The level to which CBS can be utilized by layers was evaluated.The Raw CBS, (RCBS), Enzyme Rovabio Treated CBS (ECBS) and CBS Fermented by solid state (FCBS) were evaluated for their contents of Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fiber (CF), Ether Extract (EE), Metabolisable Energy (ME) and Theobromine. Total of 140 laying hens at 6-week in lay was used in this experiment with 20 birds per treatment in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. Hen Day Production (HDP), internal and external egg quality characteristics were monitored. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. this study investigated the effect of treated cocoa bean shell based-diets on performance (Feed intake, Egg production, feed efficiency), egg quality (egg weight, egg shell thickness, Haught Unit, yolk Colour, egg length, egg width, egg shape index, shell weight and shell surface area, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk width, albumen weight, albumen height, yolk Colour, yolk index). No significant difference was observed in the crude fiber and ether extract values. The corresponding ME (Kcal/Kg) values were 2308.1 ± 3.1, 2415.0 ± 2.9 and 2470.0 ± 2.2 respectively. Fermentation and addition of enzymes reduce theobromine to 0.72 and 0.81 respectively while the highest value was recorded for RCBS (0.85). The FI (g/day) of layers on 10% RCBS (94.0) and ECBS (97.1) compared favorablywith that of control (98.8). External egg quality parameter (egg shape index, shell weight and thickness) FCR, and Haught unit were not significantly different while the HDP (%) of birds fed 10% ECBS (85.3) compared with birds on the control (85.6). Enzyme-treated cocoa bean shell effectively replaced up to 10% maize in layers diets. Furthermore, substituting 10% maize with raw cocoa bean shell enhanced laying performance.

Effect of Short-Term Feed Restriction on Production Traits of Brown and Black Plumage Commercial Layer Strains at Late Phase of Egg Production

The effect of strain and different levels of quantitative feed restriction for short time (28d) on egg production, feed consumption and efficiency, mortality and egg quality traits were evaluated during late phase of egg laying. A total number of 90 layers aged 54 weeks old, comprising 45 birds each of Isa Brown (brown plumage) and Bovan Black (black plumage) were randomly distributed into three treatment groups having three replicates each. They were placed under three feeding regimens namely, T1 (ad libitum- control), T2 (90% ad libitum) and T3 (80% ad libitum). Data collected include egg production, mortality, feed variables, external and internal egg quality characteristics. The results revealed that strain has insignificant (P>0.05) effect on egg numbers during the 28 days trial regardless of treatments imposed. This means that feed restriction on short-term has no negative impact on both the brown and black feathered layer birds productivity. However, feed restriction has significant (P<0.01) effect on both egg numbers and hen-day egg production regardless of strain of birds. Regarding the two traits, ad libitum (control) and 90% ad libitum had similar mean values, but higher than 80% ad libitum. As per feed efficiency, brown strain has higher (P<0.01) mean values than the black strain. The two strains subjected to feed restriction recorded similar mean values and performed equally well in egg weight, egg length and other external and internal egg qualities. However, in albumen height and Haugh unit (HU), brown birds had higher (P<0.01) mean values than black hens. Haugh unit is a measure of internal egg quality. The highest net revenue/hen and economic efficiency was recorded in 90% ad libitum ($1.19, 112.26), intermediate ($1.06, 100) in ad libitum and lowest (1.10, 95.28) in 80% ad libitum. Brown strain achieved higher (P<0.01) economic efficiency (100 vs 88.54) and net revenue ($0.96 vs $0.85) per hen than black strain at the end of the experimental period. There was significant strain x treatment interaction effect on egg number, percent egg production and feed variables. Brown feathered birds and adoption of milder feed restriction seem to hold prospect for increased production, profit and sustainability of egg producing industry.

Egg Quality Characteristics of Different Varieties of Domesticated Helmeted Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

A study was conducted to evaluate external and internal egg quality characteristics of the pearl, lavender, royal purple and white varieties of the helmeted guinea fowl kept intensively at Botswana College of Agriculture. A total of 110, 100, 70 and 60 fresh eggs were collected from the four varieties, respectively and subjected to external and internal quality analysis using established procedures. The royal purple had the highest egg weight, egg length, egg width and egg surface area the white variety had the lowest values for all those parameters. Shell thickness differed significantly (p<0.05) among the four varieties with values of 0.56±0.008, 0.53±0.013, 0.46±0.008 and 0.42±0.011 for the pearl grey, white, lavender and royal purple varieties, respectively. The royal purple had the highest albumen weight and albumen content and the lowest yolk weight and yolk content while the white variety had the lowest albumin weight and albumin content and the highest yolk content. No significant difference was found among the four varieties in yolk height, yolk width and yolk index. All the four varieties of helmeted guinea fowl produced eggs of acceptable external and internal quality. However, the royal purple had the best egg quality characteristics, followed by the pearl, lavender and lastly the white variety.