Mean Egg Weight Research Articles

Changes in guinea fowl fertility and hatching traits over a 4-month laying season with long-term egg storage conditions

This study was conducted to determine the effect of age on different reproductive traits of guinea fowl. A total of 350 female and 150 male guinea fowl were reared in a semi-intensive system. The birds were naturally mated, and eggs were collected for incubation in 6 batches beginning at 40 weeks. A total of 8,123 eggs were incubated between 40-52 weeks of age. The incubation period was 28 days. As a result of this study, the overall mean egg weight was 39.98 g, and the mean keet weight was 25.00 g. The mean fertility rate was 58.46%, the hatching rate was 80.53%, and the incubation yield was 47.01%. Fertility, hatching rate and incubation yield varied significantly by age (P<0.01). Evaluation of embryonic mortalities in unhatched eggs showed that late-period embryonic mortality increased with age (P<0.01). The overall rate of injured and dead keets per hatch basket was 1.93%, with a significantly higher rate (4.44%) in the eggs collected between 50-52 weeks. (P<0.01).

Suplementação de enzimas amilase, fitase e protease para codornas japonesas em postura

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of diets for laying Japanese quail with amylase, phytase and protease alone or in combination. Three-hundred quail were assigned to a completely randomized design consisting of five treatments and six repetitions, with 10 animals per experimental unit. The treatments were: a control diet and diets supplemented with 300 ppm amylase, 300 ppm protease and 500 phytase units (FTU)/kg and the combination of these enzymes. In the diets containing the enzymes, the nutritional requirements of one or more of the following components were reduced: protein, digestible amino acids, energy, calcium and phosphorus, giving priority to the use of enzymes. The evaluations were performed over four periods of 21 days each. Performance (mean egg production, feed intake, mean egg weight, and feed conversion), egg quality (proportion of egg constituents and specific egg weight), and dietary nutrient digestibility (apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter and crude protein) were evaluated. There was no significant effect of the treatments on the variables analyzed (P>0.05), indicating that the enzymes, alone or in combination, have beneficial effects, maintaining performance and egg quality of Japanese quail.

Artificial breeding of wild birds in Turkey: Partridge breeding case

Human-related factors have led to a reduction in the number of birds in the wild. Different countries employ different methods to protect birds in the wild. The Turkish ministry of forests and water affairs has established stations for breeding pheasant, partridge and guinea fowl in different regions in Turkey. Approximately 100,000 birds were released from these stations in 2012. This study reports on various egg production and incubation traits of partridges bred at the Yozgat Partridge Breeding Station. Mean egg production of partridges was 49.7 eggs in 112 days; mean egg weight was 21.30 g; and hatchability was 54.91%. Egg production, egg weight and hatchability varied significantlyby age (P<0.05).

The Recent Nesting Record of Female Green Turtle, &lt;i&gt;Chelonia mydas&lt;/i&gt;,&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt; at Pamban, Gulf of Mannar

A female green turtle was sighted at Pamban along the Gulf of Mannar just after the nesting on the beach on 15th January 2011. Morphometric measurements of the turtle were taken and data suggests that this individual is adult. A total number of laid eggs were 109. The distance between the nesting site and the high tide line was found to be 7 m. The depth and diameter of the nesting pit was 52 and 16 cm, whereas the mean egg diameter and weight were found to be 44.3 mm and 40.5 g respectively. Pamban coast may also be considered an important place for nesting, because of the continuous mixing of waters of GOM and Palk Bay areas, which in turn create current patterns continuously throughout the year in addition to the monsoon season. Conservation of nesting habitat along Gulf of Mannar will be important to maintain the green turtle population.

The Recent Nesting Record of Female Green Turtle, &lt;i&gt;Chelonia mydas&lt;/i&gt;,&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt; at Pamban, Gulf of Mannar

A female green turtle was sighted at Pamban along the Gulf of Mannar just after the nesting on the beach on 15th January 2011. Morphometric measurements of the turtle were taken and data suggests that this individual is adult. A total number of laid eggs were 109. The distance between the nesting site and the high tide line was found to be 7 m. The depth and diameter of the nesting pit was 52 and 16 cm, whereas the mean egg diameter and weight were found to be 44.3 mm and 40.5 g respectively. Pamban coast may also be considered an important place for nesting, because of the continuous mixing of waters of GOM and Palk Bay areas, which in turn create current patterns continuously throughout the year in addition to the monsoon season. Conservation of nesting habitat along Gulf of Mannar will be important to maintain the green turtle population.

Quality of quail eggs at different times of storage

A trial was conducted to evaluate quality of quail eggs from two companies (A and B) at two storage times (5 and 15 days after packing). A total of 480 eggs were kept at room temperature and distributed in a completely randomized design in 2x2factorial arrangement (companies and storage time). The results indicated that trays from company B presented higher weight, as well as mean egg weight. However, the eggs in trays from company A showed greater uniformity. Evaluating the external quality, we found that above 90% of eggshell were considered with total integrity, and no difference for this characteristic between companies was found. The eggs from company A presented lower average weight in comparison to those from company B, regarding storage time. No differences were observed between eggs from companies A and B for Haugh unit value. Storage time of 15 days after packing promoted reduction in Haugh unit value in comparison to those stored for 5 days. Quail eggs from company A presented lower variation in weight, although heavier eggs are produced by company B. Internal quality of quail eggs from both companies was similar. Storage time affected eggs quality.

Stock-recruitment resilience of North Pacific striped marlin based on reproductive ecology

The resilience of a stock-recruitment relationship is a key characteristic for modeling the population dynamics of living marine resources. Steepness determines the expected resiliency of a fish stock to harvest and is fundamentally important for the estimation of biological reference points such as maximum sustainable yield. Stock-recruitment steepness was the primary uncertainty for the determination of stock status and biological reference points in recent stock assessments of Western and Central North Pacific striped marlin (Kajikia audax). We therefore applied the method of Mangel et al. to estimate probable values of steepness for striped marlin using new information on the mean batch fecundity, spawning frequency, and spawning season duration under an assumption of Beverton–Holt stock-recruitment dynamics. Results indicated that the median steepness was 0.87 with an 80% probable range of (0.38, 0.98). It is very likely that North Pacific striped marlin is highly resilient to reductions in spawning potential. Variation in reproductive and life history parameters had an important influence on the distribution of steepness. Sensitivity analyses showed that steepness was most sensitive to body girth, mean egg weight, and most importantly, early life history stage survival. Sensitivity analyses also confirmed that the effects of changes in life history parameters on steepness were consistent with expected increases or decreases in reproductive output due to changes in body weight or fecundity. Our approach can be applied to pelagic fish species to directly assess the probable distribution of stock-recruitment resiliency when sufficient information on reproductive ecology and life history parameters is available.

Egg production response of laying chickens to feather clipping, cool water and aspirin during hot weather conditions.

An 8-week trial was conducted between March and May (hot-dry season) to determine effects of water temperature, feather clipping and aspirin on egg production of chickens. The treatments tested were hens given ordinary drinking water (control), cool water (100 g ice block per L) and aspirin (0.3 mg per L of ordinary water) and hens whose feathers were clipped (about two thirds of body feathers clipped). At 32 weeks of age, 120 Lohmann brown layer chickens of similar live weights were randomly divided into 12 groups of ten hens each and assigned to the treatments in triplicate using a completely randomized design. Feed and water were given ad libitum. Data included feed intake, water consumption, hen-day egg production and egg weight. Ambient house temperature, hen's cloacal temperature and water temperature were monitored daily during the experimental period. Mean daily ambient temperature increased from 28.4 to 35.0 °C during the study period with consequent increase in cloacal temperatures (40.31 to 41.18 °C) of hens, ordinary drinking water and cool water. None of the treatments had any significant (P > 0.05) effects on feed intake and water consumption of the birds. Hens given cool water produced more (P < 0.05) eggs and better (P < 0.05) feed efficiency than hens assigned to other treatments. Mean egg weight of each treatment was similar (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the provision of cool water in a hot-dry climate had a beneficial effect on egg laying performance of chickens.

Lesser known indigenous vegetables as potential natural egg colourant in laying chickens.

BackgroundA six-week study involving two hundred and fifty (250) Harco Black layer birds at point of lay was conducted to investigate the effects of potential natural colorant on performance and Egg quality traits. The birds were assigned to five (5) dietary treatments, each containing supplements either of control, Baobab Leaf (BL), Waterleaf (WL), Red Pepper (RP), Canthaxanthin (CTX) at 40 g/kg feed and 50 mg/kg feed of natural and commercial colorants, respectively.ResultsPerformance records shows that there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in feed intake across the supplements of Red pepper, Water leaf, Canthaxanthin and control diet, however, birds fed Baobab leaf treatment had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) feed intake value (94.07 g) when compared with other treatments. Body weight gain and Hen Day Production were not significant influenced (p > 0.05) by the dietary treatments, although laying hens fed Baobab leaf supplement had lowest mean HDP of 48.80%, while birds fed Red pepper and Water leaf supplement had an average value of 52.79%. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) of colorants on egg external traits, compared with the control; birds fed Canthaxanthin treatment had higher mean egg weight (51.79 g), egg length (4.55 g), egg breadth (3.29 g); Red pepper treatment had highest mean shell thickness (0.29 g), however these differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Yolk height, Albumen height, Yolk index, and Haugh unit were not significantly affected (p > 0.05) across treatments. Yolk width was lowest (p < 0.05) in Baobab leaf treatment (2.54 cm); Red pepper, Water leaf and Canthaxanthin (2.89 cm, 2.62 cm and 2.89 cm respectively) were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from the control (2.73 cm). Yolk colour score was significantly highest (p < 0.05) in Red pepper treatment (7.50); Water leaf, Baobab leaf and Canthaxanthin ranged between 2.25- 3.31 on the DSM yolk colour fan, Control treatment had the lowest yolk colour score (p < 0.05) of 1.31.ConclusionThe study showed Red pepper as a worthy alternative to commercial yolk colorant. Water leaf and baobab are not good substitutes for canthaxanthin as a yolk colourant.

Evaluation of egg quality parameters in Bhutanese indigenous chickens vis-a-vis exotic chicken

This study was designed to compare the physical egg quality of 4 Bhutanese indigenous chickens (BIC) namely Seim (SM), Phulom (PL), Khuilay (KL) and Yuebjha Narp (YN) with Hyline Brown (HL). A total of 160 eggs were collected to represent the sample size. The BIC egg shell colour varied from white to brownish however, egg shells with cream (51.50%) and white colour (33.00%) were considerably common. The overall mean egg weight in BIC was 47.44g with the lowest for SM (45.95g) and highest for PL (50.35g). Mean egg weight and volume (43.60±6.35) of BIC eggs were comparatively lower than Hyline Brown. The egg phenotype and correspondingly the crushing strength of five populations increased from YN &lt; SM &lt; KL &lt; PL &lt; HL. The specific gravity was the lowest and greatest for YN (1.03) and KL (1.17), respectively. Moreover, the shell thickness measures among the BIC strains were not significant (P&lt;0.05) and ranged from 0.30mm (PL) to 0.33mm (KL). The statistical evaluation presents non-significant difference among the five chicken populations for yolk index. The albumen height of BIC ranged from 5.98mm (KL) to 6.93mm (PL) with the mean 6.54mm. The yolk weight was the lowest for SM followed by KL. Superior physical property of shell and egg shape reveals that KL is better quality among the BIC strains. Furthermore, the less fat percent content in KL also supports and this information may be used for improving this population to produce a good egg quality for consumers.

&lt;b&gt;Carbohydrase and phytase supplementation in diets for semi-heavy laying hens

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the association of phytase with an enzymatic complex comprised of carbohydrases (α-galactosidase, galactomannan, xylanase and β-glucanase) in nutrition reduction diets for semi-heavy laying hens and its effect on egg performance and egg quality. Four hundred Isa Brown laying hens with 42 to 57 weeks of age were distributed in an entirely random experiment with five treatments and 8 repetitions, during five production periods of 21 days. Variables studied: egg production, feed intake, mean egg weight, feed conversion, Haugh unit, percentage of yolk, egg white and albumen, yolk color, eggshell thickness and specific gravity. There was a significant interaction (p &lt; 0.05) between treatments and experimental periods for feed intake. There were no significant effects (p &gt; 0.05) of treatment on production, egg weight or internal and external egg quality. Treatment effects on feed conversion showed better values for hens fed with the control diet. The levels of nutrient reduction used in the diets with or without enzyme supplementation did not provide good results with regard to feed conversion and feed intake. However, they did not affect the other parameters for egg production and internal and external egg quality.

Fertility and hatchability characterization of three strains of egg type chickens

The fertility and hatchability characteristics of three popular strainsof egg type chickens in Nigeria, namely chickens (ISABROWN), Alpha (Improved native) and the local strain (Pure native) chickenswere studied. They were compared from twenty weeks of age using 15 hens and 3cocks from each strain. The parameters recorded were egg production, eggweight, percent fertility and hatchability. The experiment was replicated threetimes. The data obtained showed that the improved native strain produced moreeggs followed by the exotic strain and lastly, the pure native strain. ISA Brownstrain and improved native strain were similar in egg weight; but performedbetter than pure native and the other strains. The ISA Brown recorded mean eggweight of 59.27 ± 0.02, Improved native recorded mean egg weight of 53.10 ± 002 and the purenative recorded mean egg weight of 41.00 ± 0.02. Conversely, fertility was highest in the pure native strain(86.04) followed by improved native strain 83.08) and the exotic strainrecorded the least percent fertility of (68.21). Hatchability was highest inthe improved native strains with percentage hatchability of 77.33, followed bythe pure native of percentage hatchability of 73.55 and ISA Brown (exotic)recorded the least percentage hatchability of 61.24. From the findings, theimproved native did well in all the parameters investigated and has enough roomto carry out selection for improvement.

Characterization of village chicken production performance under scavenging system in Halaba district of southern Ethiopia

Village chicken production was characterized using retrospective and crosssectional methods, where 280 households rearing local chickens in Halaba district of southern Ethiopia were used for data collection. The study revealed that the average flock size was 8.5 chickens (95% CI=7.98 – 9.08). The average number of chickens added to a flock annually was 28.3 birds (95% CI=27.76 – 28.86) while 22.9 birds (95% CI=22.36 – 23.53) were leaving the flock. The majority of the households (77.7%) constructed a wooden perch for night resting of their chickens inside the main house. Scavenging was the major avenue of feeding chickens. Most of the respondents (83.6%) practiced selection in their chicken flocks for females (68.4%) and both sexes (31.6%). The average number of eggs laid by local hen was 13.3 eggs/hen/clutch (95% CI=12.81 – 13.85) and the mean annual egg production was 50.8 eggs per year with an average clutching frequency of 3.8 clutches (95% CI = 3.69 – 3.92). The average clutch length was 26 days (95% CI = 24.92 – 27.08). While the age at first lay of village chickens was 6.53 months (95% CI = 6.45 – 6.61), the average weight at first lay was 0.91 kg (95% CI = 0.87 – 0.96). The mean egg weight for the village chickens was 39.4 g (95% CI = 38.79 – 39.91). The average hatchability of eggs in this study was 83.7 % (95% CI = 81.73 – 85.72). The survival rate of chicks to 6 months of age was 52.3% (95% CI = 51.09 - 53.45). It was concluded that village chicken production was characterized by low input and output system, and scavenging was the dominant form of feeding of village chicken.Key words: Village chicken – Scavenging – Productivity – Clutch

Molecular Epidemiology of Mycoplasma synoviae Infection in Commercial Layers

Mycoplasma synoviae (M. synoviae) infection is a cause of great economic loss in commercial egg layer hens. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of M. synoviae and to compare the characteristics of M. synoviae infected and free flocks of commercial layers. A total of 400 tracheal swabs and 400 blood serum samples were collected from 20 different layer flocks. Random Amplified Polymorfic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used for the molecular typing of M. synoviae isolates to determine the source of infection. M. synoviae was isolated from 89 tracheal swabs collected from 5 out of 20 flocks. The genetic similarity between field strains ranged from 53% to 100% as determined by RAPD analysis. All M. synoviae strains separated into 2 main-clusters in UPGMA dendogram. These results revealed that the 5 infected flocks were contaminated from 2 different sources. The egg production of positive flocks was statistically lower (P<0.05) than that of the pathogen free flocks. Infection was more frequent in multi-age farms and on sites with several houses. The mortality of infected flocks was higher than uninfected flocks, but this difference was not statistically significant. The mean weight of eggs and the average live weight of hens were similar in free and infected flocks. In conclusion, M. synoviae infection significantly decreased egg production in layer hens and was more frequent in multiage farms.

Association of polymorphisms in the promoter region of turkey prolactin with egg performance

The induction and regulation of broodiness is of the most important role of prolactin in avian species. In this study, the association between prolactin promoter region alleles and reproductive traits in Fars native turkey was investigated. These traits consisted of mean egg weight (MEW), number of egg (EN) and egg mass, during the first laying period. In total, 115 laying turkeys, randomly selected from the flock of the Breeding Center for Fars Native turkey, and DNA was purificated from blood samples, 231 bp of prolactin promoter region was amplified and Genotype of Samples was determinate by PCR-SSCP technique were genotyped. Two alleles D and I were identified. Based on the results obtained, the frequency of D and I alleles were 0.67 and 0.33, respectively. Frequencies of DD, II and ID genotypes were 0.385, 0.044 and 0.571, respectively. The association analysis between the polymorphism PRL gene promoter region and egg performance was carried out. Significant relationship was found between genotypes with egg production (P&lt;0.01). Individuals with II genotype produced higher egg production than DD and ID genotype. The results of current study showed that using information of genes related to egg production could be used to improve the performance of native turkey of East Azerbaijan province.

The Influence of Organic Selenium (Sel-Plex) Administered in the Feed of Laying Quails, on Production Performances and Egg Quality

Introduction: Throughout the time, research carried out worldwide in laying poultry indicated that organic Selenium (Sel-Plex) led to the improvement of the laying performances, fedd conversion ratio, reduction of losses, enhancement of the immune system and the improvement of the egg quality indices - weight of the structural components and morphological and physical indices of egg quality. Aims: the aim of this research was to observe and highlight the possible influence of organic Selenium (Sel-Plex) administered in the fodder of laying quails on the production performances and egg quality. Materials and methods: the research has been carried out on 66 laying quails, assigned to 2 groups, each group consisting of 33 birds: a control group which was fed the base diet (no additives were added) and an experimental group that received organic Selenium (Sel-Plex) in a dose of 0.04%. The experimental period was 26 weeks long (from the 5 th week of age until the 31 st week). The laying quails were weighted individually at the beginning, at the middle and at the end of the experiment. During the experiment the following indices were monitored: body mass evolution and survival rate, laying intensity, mean egg weight and the feed consumption for an egg. In order to determine the egg quality the following parameters of the main components were determined: weight, proportion, chemical composition and the main morphological and physical indices of quality (size index, egg volume, specific weight, yolk index, egg white index, Haugh units). Results: the use of organic Selenium (Sel-Plex) determined the increase of the mean egg weight and the main structural components, the increase of protein content of yolk, an improvement of the feed conversion ratio and of the laying intensity. Also a reduction in egg defects and the total reduction of losses could be observed. Conclusion: The results recorded confirm the positive influence of organic Selenium on production performances in quails an egg quality. So, based on these results obtained, whe recommend the use of organic Selenium (Sel-Plex) in laying quails. Â

Effects of selected feed additives on the performance of laying hens given a diet rich in maize dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS)

1. A total of 192 ISA Brown hens were given diets containing a high concentration of maize dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) and the effect of selected feed additives on laying performance and egg quality was determined. 2. Birds were allocated to 8 treatment groups with 12 replicates (cages) of two hens and were given, from week 26 to 55, iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets with or without a high concentration of DDGS (200 g/kg). The diet containing DDGS was not supplemented or supplemented with enzymes (xylanase and phytase), sodium butyrate, probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus salivarius) and a mixture of herbal extracts (Taraxaci siccum, Urticae siccum and Salviae siccum), inulin or chitosan. 3. The inclusion of DDGS in the diet had no effect on number of eggs produced, total egg mass, mean egg weight, feed intake or feed conversion ratio. Egg and eggshell quality parameters were also unaffected by dietary DDGS. The yolk colour score (points in Roche scale) was significantly increased by DDGS inclusion. DDGS in the diet caused some changes in the yolk lipid profile that were rather unfavourable from a dietary perspective (an increase of cholesterol content, and PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratio). 4. During the experimental period (26–55 weeks of age) supplementation of the diet containing a high concentration of DDGS with enzymes, inulin as well as chitosan, increased number of eggs produced and daily egg mass. In older hens (50 weeks of age) inulin positively affected eggshell quality parameters, i.e. shell percentage, thickness and density. Diet supplementation with herb extracts, inulin or chitosan, decreased the content of cholesterol in yolks. 5. The results of this study suggest that DDGS may be incorporated up to a concentration of 200 g/kg in the diet of laying hens without any negative effects on egg performance. Moreover, supplementation of xylanase and phytase, as well as inulin and chitosan, can positively affect the performance of layers given diets with a high concentration of DDGS.

Egg Laying Performance, Egg Quality and Hematological Implication of Ensiled Fibrous Feedstuff in Laying Pullets

The egg laying performance and egg quality indices of Bovan Nera pullets were investigated while using 10% inclusion levels of ensiled rice husk (ERH) fermented with molasses for varying durations of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Feed intake was constant and similar (P>0.05) for all experimental pullets with a range of 122.3±11.2g in the diet in which rice husk was ensiled for 14 days (14d ERH) to138.1±2.0g in the reference diet with un-ensiled rice husk (UERH). The feed conversion values obtained for all the experimental pullets were similar (P>0.05) with a range between 2119±42.6g in the reference diet and 2393.7±54.7g in the 28d ERH diet. The hen day production (%) values obtained for all experimental pullets placed on the experimental diets were similar (P>0.05) with values ranging between 66.3±0.2% and 66.3±0.6% for birds placed on 21d ERH and 28d ERH, respectively and 78.3±3.6% for birds placed on reference diet. The egg weight mean values were similar (P>0.05) for all pullets placed on all the experimental diets. The mean egg weight value had a range of 59.4±0.4g for eggs collected from pullets on 7d ERH diet to 65.6±0.6g for eggs collected from pullets on 28d ERH diet. All investigated internal and external egg indices of experimental pullets had similar (P>0.05) mean values. Apart from the mean corpuscular hemoglobin value, all other investigated heamatological parameters had similar mean values (P>0.05) for all the birds on all the six experimental diets. The inclusions of rice husk at tolerable levels of 10% in Bovan Nera pullets may have complementary dietary roles with other available dietary nutrients in the experimental diets enhancing egg laying performance and other egg quality indices.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters, Inbreeding Trend and its Effects on Production and Reproduction Traits of Native Fowls in Fars Province

In this study, the data and pedigree records of the native fowls collected by Fars Native Fowls Breeding Center during 1990-2004 were analyzed. A pedigree file collected on 30855 hens and roosters was used to calculate the inbreeding coefficients and its trend and its effect on production and reproduction traits. The average of inbreeding coefficient for all birds was 0.002% ranging from 0 to 14.8%. In this population, 14% of the birds were inbred with an average inbreeding coefficient of 0.019%. The Inbreeding coefficient was considered as covariate to estimate its effect on economic traits including body weight in 12 weeks (BW12), egg number during 12 weeks (EN), mean egg weight between 28 to 32 weeks (MEW) and Age of Sexual Maturity (ASM). Results showed that inbreeding does not have a significant effect on the traits under study (p > 0.05). Moreover, heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits was estimated through a multiple traits animal model procedure by restricted maximum likelihood using ASREML software. The estimated heritabilities were 0.53, 0.47, 0.57 and 0.22 for body weight in 12 weeks (BW12), Age of Sexual Maturity (ASM), mean Egg Weight (EW) and Egg Number (EN), respectively. Because of relatively high heritabilities of productive and reproductive traits, it is possible to achieve more genetic gains in these traits using appropriate genetic selection.

Effect of extruded amaranth grains on performance, egg traits, fatty acids composition, and selected blood characteristics of laying hens

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of extruded amaranth grains (AMG) in laying hen diets on performance, egg traits, egg yolk fatty acids composition, as well as selected blood characteristics. A total of 60 Lohmann Brown laying hens, 24wk of age, were randomly distributed into 3 dietary treatments and fed for 10wk. The AMG was used at the levels of 0%, 5%, and 10% in the diets of the control and 2 treatment groups, respectively. Each dietary treatment was divided into 4 replicates, comprising of 5 hens each. Hens were housed in a 3-tier battery system. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Blood samples and eggs were collected after 5wk and at the end of the experiment. Amaranth grain supplementation increased body weight (1.64, 1.66, and 1.72kg for diets containing 0%, 5%, and 10% AMG, respectively; linear, P<0.01). Although hens responded to AMG supplementation linear and quadratically (P<0.01), the greatest egg production and the lowest feed conversion ratio were observed with 5% AMG. No differences in the mean egg weight, eggshell weight, yolk and albumen weight, thick albumen height, Haugh units and breaking strength of eggshells were observed in hens fed AMG-supplemented diets. Also, sensory analysis of eggs did not reveal any differences among hens fed different diets. Fatty acids content of egg yolk was similar in all treatments, although in hens fed 5% AMG, the polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-6), especially linoleic acid, level was slightly greater and the n-6/n-3 acid ratio was decreased. The concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and glucose level were reduced linearly after 5wk (P=0.01–0.03) by increasing AMG supplementation. The quadratic effect on alanine aminotransferase at wk 5 (P=0.02) and 10 (P<0.01) was also observed. The results showed that dietary inclusion of AMG at the level of 5% increased hen performance and did not negatively influence the hens' health conditions and also quality and sensory traits of eggs.