Yolk Color Score Research Articles

Pengaruh Penambahan Tepung Daun Kelor pada Ransum terhadap Kandungan Nutrisi dan Fisik Telur Itik

The aim of this study were to analyzed effect of adding Moringa leaf meal on feed in egg quality of duck.The livestock used were 27 ducks with 3 treatments and 3 replication and each replication there were 3ducks. P0 (feed + 0% Moringa), P1 (feed + 5% Moringa) and P2 (feed + 10% Moringa). Experimentaldesign used completely randomized design. Variables observed in this study were physical quality such asegg weight and yolk color score and chemical quality such as cholesterol and protein level. Observationwas carried out after 4 weeks of feed treatment. Significantly different result were seen in egg weightvariables (P<0.05), treatment of 5% and 10% moringa leaf in feed significanty decrease weight of eggs.Adding 5% and 10% moringa leaves increased a yolk color score, respectively 7.11 + 1.05 and 7.44 +0.52 compared with control 6.55 + 3.20. Cholesterol levels decrease in 5% feed treatment 14.07 + 2.07compared to control 15.46 + 1.43. The adition of 5% and 10% moringa leaves increased protein level10.90% and 10.86% respectively, compared to control 10.74%. However, base on statistical analysis ofyolk color score, cholesterol and protein levels were not significantly different (P>0.05).

THE VALUE OF DRIED AFRICA LOCUST BEAN PULP FOR THE FOWL

Locally obtained dried pulp of the fruit of African locust bean (Parka filicoidea) was included at the rates of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0%, at the expense of maize , in the diets of chicks and of pullets whose basal diets contained 25.5% and 18.0% respectively. The chicks were White Rock X Cornish (WRXC)and the Nigeria indigenous (Ind.). The six week body weight of the chicks were reduced to 648.2g (WRXC) on 2.5% and 425.3g (Ind.) on 5.0% dietary pulp, pulp. Beyond thee respective dietary levels of pulps, the body weight of the strains were significantly (P < 0.05) depressed. The feed conversion ration (2.8 – 3.1) mortality (1.7 – 2.5%), nitrogen retention (59.7 – 69.5) of the chicks and the metabolizable energy of the diets, (12.1 -12.9 MJ/kg., ME) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary treatments. However, the better values with these traits were associated with the basal diets and were in respect of the WRXC chicks. The hen day production, egg weight and liveweight gain of the layers were significantly (P < 0.05) depressed when dietary pulp attained 7.5% (50.8%), 10.0% (53.5g) and 10.0% (132.1g) respectively. The yolk colour score (9 - 14) was significantly (P < 0.05) improved at 7.5 – 15.0% dietary pulp while feed conversion ration (2.7 – 4.9) and Haugh Unit (76.1 – 78.1) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary treatment. The price of the pulp in relation to that of maize suggested that it was economic to replace maize to at least 2.5%and 5.0% in the diets of chicks and of the layers respectively

Production performance and egg quality in Kuzi ducks of Odisha

Production performances and egg quality parameters of Kuzi ducks of Odisha were studied in 40 drakes and 240 duck sinintensive system of rearing under hot and humid climate conditions. The body weight recorded at first egg of the flock was 1568±3.76g in ducks and 1730±43.45g in drakes. First egg of the flock was obtained at 110.67±3.76 days and age at 50% duck house egg production was 135.33±5.60 days. Age of the flock at peak (90%) duck house egg production was 167.67±6.06 days. Duck day egg production calculated at 4 weeks interval revealed that there is no definite trend however, as the age advances there was a decrease in egg production % after 60 weeks of age. The egg weight increased with the ages and the egg weight at 40 weeks of age was 64.26±0.48g. The egg production of the duck up to 40 weeks of age was 110.79±4.42 eggs and up to 72 weeks of age were 217.68±4.96 eggs. Significant differences inegg weight, shape index, albumen index, yolk colour, shell thickness and Haugh unit score were observed at different weeks of age. Further, as the age of the bird advances there was decrease in Haugh unit and albumen index with increase in egg shell thickness. The internal quality decreased with increase in age of the bird. The production performance showed that the Kuzi ducks may be used as an egg type ducks.

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

Durian seed meal for commercial layers: performance, nutrient retention and egg quality

This study was conducted to evaluate diets containing durian ( Durio zibethinus Murr) seed meal (DSM) on the performance, nutrient retention and egg qualities of commercial layers. A total of 120 fifty two -week-old laying hens were distributed according to a completely randomized design in four treatments and five replications with six birds each. The treatments consisted of different levels of durian seed meals (control, 3% DSM, 6% DSM, and 9% DSM). Feeding diets containing durian seed meal had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the feed consumption of laying hens at 58 wk of age. Inclusion of up to 6% DSM in formulated layer diets did not reduce egg production and nutrient digestibility, but reduced egg weight. No differences (p>0.05) were observed in egg calcium content, egg calcium mass, and yolk color score fed diets containing DSM. This study suggests that DSM could be incorporated up to 6% in laying hen diets without adverse effect on production performance, nutrient retention and egg qualities.

Effects of dietary chromium propionate on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of laying ducks under heat stress

Recent studies have shown that chromium (Cr) could alleviate the negative effects of heat stress on livestock and poultry, but there is little information available to laying ducks. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary addition of chromium propionate on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of laying ducks under hot (average 32 °C) and humid (average 75% relative humidity) summer conditions. A total of 900 66-week-old weight- and laying-matched Shanma laying ducks were randomly divided into five treatments, each with 6 replicates of 30 individually caged birds. The birds were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 200, 400, 600, or 800 μg/kg Cr as chromium propionate. All laying ducks were given feed and water ad libitum for 5 weeks. The results showed that dietary supplementation with chromium propionate significantly increased the laying rate and yolk colour score (P < 0.05). Treatment with 400 μg/kg Cr as chromium propionate significantly decreased the feed/egg ratio by 5.4% (P < 0.05). Increased supplemental Cr from 0 to 800 μg/kg resulted in an increase in albumen height and the Haugh unit linearly (P < 0.05). Increased supplemental Cr decreased serum cortisol (P < 0.001, linear; P = 0.008, quadratic), heat shock protein-70 (P < 0.001, linear; P = 0.007, quadratic) and glucose (P = 0.007, linear), whereas it increased serum insulin (P = 0.011, Linear), total protein (P = 0.006, linear; P = 0.048, quadratic) and albumin (P = 0.035, linear; P = 0.088, quadratic). Dietary Cr levels increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, the total antioxidant capacity linearly and quadratically (P < 0.05). A linear and quadratic (P < 0.05) decrease of the malondialdehyde concentrations in response to dietary Cr level was observed. These results indicated that dietary supplementation of Cr as chromium propionate, particularly at 800 μg/kg could beneficially affect the laying rate, egg quality and antioxidant function, as well as modulate the blood biochemical parameters of laying ducks under heat stress conditions.

Implementation of net energy evaluating system in laying hens: Validation by performance and egg quality

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of different dietary net energy (NE) and AMEn ratios (NE:AMEn) on performance, egg quality, and heat production (HP) in laying hens. In experiment 1, 62 Hy-Line Brown hens were fed 2 treatments with 31 replicates from 44 to 54 wk of age. In experiment 2, 600 hens of the same strain were fed 3 treatments from 22 to 42 wk of age with 10 replicates. Both used a completely randomized design. Diets were based on corn, wheat, wheat bran, barley, soybean meal, canola meal, meat and bone meal, and canola oil. In both experiments, the NE:AMEn ratio of diets was increased with higher oil inclusion compared with T1 controls. The AMEn (kcal/kg), NE (kcal/kg), ether extract (g/kg), and CP (g/kg), respectively, on a DM basis in experiment 1 was T1: 3,011, 2,288, 42, 202 and T2: 3,023, 2,374, 81, 203; and in experiment 2, T1: 3,026, 2,324, 25, 187; T2: 2,949, 2,315, 61, 185; and T3: 3,026, 2,397, 73, 181. Increasing the ratio of NE:AMEn decreased feed intake (P < 0.001) and increased egg mass (P < 0.05) in experiment 2 and increased egg weight (P < 0.01), decreased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01), increased egg albumen % (P < 0.001), and decreased yolk % (P < 0.05) and shell % (P < 0.05) compared with T1 controls in both experiments. Haugh units and yolk color scores were increased with high NE:AMEn in both experiments (P < 0.001; P < 0.01). Experiment 3 was conducted in calorimetry chambers to measure HP in birds fed experiment 2 diets. Increasing the NE:AMEn increased total retained energy (RE), RE as fat, and RE in the body (kcal/kg BW0.75/D) and NE:AME. The results indicate that using oil to increase the NE:AMEn results in improved performance and egg quality and more efficient energy utilization.

Production Performance, Quality and Lipid Composition of Eggs from Laying Hens Fed Heated Flaxseed with Carbohydrase Enzymes

The current study investigated the effect of heat processing or carbohydrase enzyme addition on egg production, egg quality, egg fatty acid composition, tocopherol content, and lipid oxidation products in eggs from layer hens fed flaxseed. A total of ninety-six 23-wk-old white leghorn laying hens were kept in individual cages and were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups, with 6 replicates containing 4 hens per each replicate. The hens were fed corn soybean meal-based diet containing 15 g/100 g raw flaxseed (Flax), 15 g/100 g heated (60°C for 8 h) flaxseed (HFlax), Flax+0.1% enzyme (Flax+E), and HFlax+0.1% enzyme (HFlax+E). The experimental diets were fed for a period of 120 d. Hen-day egg production and egg mass (g/hen/d) were highest for HFlax and HFlax+E and lowest for Flax+E ( P < 0.05). No difference was noted in egg, yolk or shell weight, or Haugh unit ( P > 0.05). Albumen weight as percentage of egg weight was lower in Flax when compared to HFlax, Flax+E, or HFlax+E ( P < 0.05). The yolk:albumen ratio was higher in Flax that in HFlax, Flax+E, and HFlax+E ( P < 0.05). Yolk color score was highest for HFlax+E and lowest for Flax+E ( P < 0.05). No effect of diet on egg total lipid, palmitic, stearic, α-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and arachidonic acid content as mg/egg or as percentage of fatty acid methyl esters was observed ( P > 0.05). Hens fed HFlax had lower concentration of linoleic acid (mg/egg) than Flax+E and HFlax+E ( P < 0.05). The concentrations of oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acids (mg/egg) were higher in Flax than those in other treatments ( P < 0.05). Eggs from hens fed HFlax+E had lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances than Flax+E ( P < 0.05) and was not different from Flax or HFlax ( P > 0.05). No difference was observed in the α-tocopherol content of the eggs ( P > 0.05). Enzyme supplementation and heating of flaxseed increased γ-tocopherol content in Flax+E and HFlax+E eggs ( P < 0.05). It is concluded that heating flaxseed prior to consumption increases egg production while reducing oleic acid and linoleic acid (mg/egg). Heating flaxseed or enzyme supplementation had no effect on egg weight, α-linolenic acid, total n-3 fatty acids, total lipid, or total tocopherol content of eggs.

Production performance, egg quality, and small intestine histomorphology of the laying hens supplemented with phytogenic feed additive

Summary An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a phytogenic compound (Alquernat Nebsui L [ANL]) applied through drinking water on hen day egg production (HDEP), egg quality, and small intestine histomorphology of Hy-Line W-36 laying hens from 65 to 73 wk of age. A total of 90 hens were randomly allocated into 2 treatment groups with 15 replicate cages, and each cage containing 3 hens. Hens were housed in an A-frame conventional cage and followed the light regime of 16L:8D period. The 2 treatments consisted of either without or with ANL provided via drinking water (0.5 mL/L) as control (CON) and ANL group. Hen day egg production, feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and egg quality were measured weekly. Supplementation of ANL increased HDEP and decreased FI and FCR in the treated group. The internal quality of eggs Haugh unit (HU), total yolk carotenoids (TYC), and yolk color score (YCS) were significantly increased in the ANL group compared with the CON group. No significant differences were observed in the measured exterior quality of eggs among the 2 treatments. Alquernat Nebsui L did not affect the histomorphology of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum except for the villus width of the duodenum, which was higher in the ANL group than the CON group. There was no significant difference in either absolute or relative intestinal weight in the ANL or CON group. It can be concluded that the addition of ANL in drinking water may have beneficial effects on egg production, FI, FCR, HU, TYC, and YCS.

The interior quality of egg in four outbred F1 populations of Japanese quail

This study was conducted to evaluate the interior quality of egg in four outbred F1 population of Japanese quail. Two hundred Japanese quails were used in this study. They were grouped into four lines based on their mating systems, i.e. male brown quail 1 and female black quail 2 (BL1), male brown 2 and female black 1 (BL2), male black 1 and female brown 2 (LB1), and male black 2 and female quail 1 (LB2). Each line consisted of 50 quails. Eggs were collected at the age of 10 weeks. Interior egg characteristics were tested for three consecutive days. They were height, weight, and index of albumen; weight, height, and index of yolk, yolk color score, and Haugh unit (HU). The data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and pairwise differences among lines were performed using Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed that albumen weight and yolk height were significantly different among lines (P<0.05). Better albumen weight and yolk height were found in LB populations. Other traits were not different among outbreeding populations. It can be concluded that the best interior qualities of egg were produced by LB quail populations.

Early rearing enrichments influenced nest use and egg quality in free-range laying hens

In Australia, free-range egg production pullets are typically reared indoors, but adult layers get outdoor access. This new environment may be challenging to adapt to, which could impair egg production and/or egg quality. Adaptation might be enhanced through rearing enrichments. We reared 1386 Hy-Line Brown® chicks indoors with three treatments across 16 weeks: (1) a control group with standard litter housing conditions, (2) a novelty group providing novel objects that changed weekly, and (3) a structural enrichment group with custom-designed structures to partially impair visibility across the pen and allow for vertical movement. Pullets were transferred to a free-range system at 16 weeks of age with daily outdoor access provided from 25 until 64 weeks. Daily egg production at different laying locations (large nests, small nests and floor), weekly egg weights and egg abnormalities were recorded from 18 to 64 weeks old. External and internal egg quality parameters of egg weight, shell reflectivity, albumen height, haugh unit, yolk colour score, shell weight and shell thickness were measured at 44, 52, 60 and 64 weeks. There was a significant interaction between rearing treatment and nest box use on hen-day production from weeks 18 to 25 (P < 0.0001) with the novelty hens laying the most eggs and the control hens the fewest eggs in the nest box. Similarly, from 26 to 64 weeks, the novelty hens laid more eggs in the large nest boxes and fewer eggs on the floor than both the structural and control hens (P < 0.0001). Egg weight and abnormalities increased with age (P < 0.0001), but rearing treatment had no effect on either measure (both P ≥ 0.19). Rearing treatment affected shell reflectivity and yolk colour with the control hens showing paler colours across time relative to the changes observed in the eggs from enriched hens. The novelty hens may have established nest box laying patterns as they were more accustomed to exploring new environments. The differences in egg quality could be related to stress adaptability or ranging behaviour. This study shows that enriching environments during rearing can have some impacts on production parameters in free-range hens.

Krill Meal Enhances Antioxidant Levels and n-3 Fatty Acid Content of Egg Yolk from Laying Hens Fed a Low-Pigment Diet.

This study was conducted to determine effects of krill meal supplementation on production performance, egg quality, antioxidant substances, and fatty acid composition of egg yolk from hens fed a low-pigment diet. A total of 640 laying hens (Lohmann Brown), which were each 25 weeks old, were divided into 4 dietary treatment groups. Each treatment consisted of 8 replications with 20 laying hens per replication. The treatments were corn-soybean meal basal diet (CS), CS with 7.5% cassava meal (low-pigment; LP), and LP with 1.5 or 3% krill meal. All dietary treatments were formulated to be isocaloric (2,750 kcal/kg metabolizable energy) and isonitrogenous (17.5% crude protein). Birds were raised in an evaporative cooling system house for 8 weeks (25–33 weeks of age). Water was provided ad libitum and feed was provided according to breed requirement recommendations. The LP diets supplemented with krill meal had no effect on production performance and egg quality compared to those of the CS group (P>0.05). However, the LP diet caused a significant reduction in yolk color score, and astaxanthin, vitamin A, and vitamin E contents of egg yolk (P<0.05). However, the contents of these nutrients increased as the level of krill meal was increased in the diets (P<0.05). The highest yolk color score, and astaxanthin, vitamin A, and vitamin E contents were observed in laying hens fed 3% krill meal (P<0.05). The LP diet had no effect on n-3 fatty acid content; however, a significant reduction in the content of n-6 fatty acids, especially linoleic acid was observed (P<0.05). Further reduction occurred when higher level of krill was used in the diets (P<0.05). An increase in krill meal level significantly increased docosahexaenoic acid but not linolenic acid content of egg yolk. Krill meal, therefore, could be used to produce docosahexaenoic acid and antioxidant enriched eggs.

Egg quality in F1 cross between brown and black lines of Japanese quail

The objective of this study was to determine both external and internal egg quality in F1 cross between Brown and Black lines of Japanese quail. A total of 186 eggs given basal diets have been collected at the age of ten weeks and those eggs were then tested to evaluate their external and internal qualities. They were produced by four group of F1 cross between two lines of Brown male and Black female of Japanese quail and vice versa. Cross between Brown male and Black female lines produced Brown layer lines (B1 and B2 lines, respectively) while cross between Black male and Brown female lines was called L1 and L2 lines, respectively. The data was analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with an alpha level of 5%. Furthermore, the pairwise differences among populations were tested using Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed that egg weight, shell weight and egg interior traits including yolk index, albumin index, Haugh unit (HU), and yolk color score were significantly difference among F1 populations (P<0.05). Egg and shell weights were highest in B1 line, on the other hand, albumin index, yolk index, HU, yolk color score were found highest in B2 line. In addition, no differences among lines have been observed for shell thickness, egg index, and air cavity of egg. These results suggested that Brown quail line was better both exterior and interior qualities of egg.

Influence of feed particle size and feed form on productive performance, egg quality, gastrointestinal tract traits, digestive enzymes, intestinal morphology, and nutrient digestibility of laying hens reared in enriched cages.

A total of 640 Lohmann LSL hens were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments arranged in 2 × 2 factorial with 2 feed particle sizes (fine and coarse) and 2 feed forms (mash and crumble). The 2 particle sizes were achieved by grinding whole corn and wheat in the hammer mill to pass through 4- and 8-mm sieves. The laying hen diet was isonutritive, and each diet was fed to 8 enriched cages of 20 hens from 21 to 52 wk of age. Screen size and feed form did not affect feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and quality traits of the eggs, except for yolk color score, which decreased with crumbling of the feed. Feed conversion ratio was greater (P < 0.01) in hens fed the coarsely ground diet than in hens fed the finely ground diet. Crumbling the feed increased (P < 0.01) feed intake and feed conversion ratio compared to those after mashing. The relative weight of the liver and length of the small intestines were greater (P < 0.05) in hens fed crumble than in hens fed mash. Finely grinding cereals decreased (P < 0.01) the pancreas and gizzard weight compared to those after coarse grinding. The pH of digestive organs showed significant responses to feed form. Crumbling resulted in increased (P < 0.01) pancreatic activities of amylase, while lipase secretion was not affected by the manipulations in screen size and feed form. Ileal villus measurements (villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, villus surface area) were greater (P < 0.01) in hens fed crumble than in hens fed mash, whereas particle size had no effect. Total tract digestibility coefficients of crude ash and ether extracts were improved narrowing screen size from 8 to 4mm. Data illustrated that grinding cereals to pass through a 4-mm screen could improve the efficiency of feed conversion. However, feeding crumbles provided no benefit to productive performance and egg quality, although the absorptive capacity of laying hens increased.

Influence of Hemicell® Addition on Diets Containing Different Levels of Crude Fiber on Performance of Laying Hens

This study was conducted to examine the effect of Hemicell® addition on diets containing different levels of crude fiber on performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 72 laying hens aged 21 weeks were randomly divided into 18 experimental units. A completely randomized design with factorial design 2×3 and 3 replications was employed in this study. Factor A was crude fiber level (5% and 8%) and factor B was the level of Hemicell®(0, 100x103 and 200x103 IU/kg ration). Results showed that crude fiber significantly (P&lt;0.01) increased feed consumption and decreased the performance of laying hens. The addition of Hemicell®in diets significantly (P&lt;0.01) decreased feed consumption and increased the performance of laying hens. Hemicell®addition (100 IU) to a diet containing 8% crude fiber significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected egg mass, feed conversion ratio, egg yolk score and egg weight. It can be concluded that diet with 8% crude fiber added with Hemicell® (100 IU) could increase egg mass, feed conversion ratio, egg weight and yolk color score.

Feeding high-oleic peanuts to layer hens enhances egg yolk color and oleic fatty acid content in shell eggs

Previous studies have identified normal-oleic peanuts as a suitable and economical broiler feed ingredient. However, no studies to date have examined the use of high-oleic (HO) peanut cultivars as a feed ingredient for laying hens and determined the impact of feeding HO peanuts on performance and egg nutritive qualities. This project aimed to examine the use of HO peanuts as a feed ingredient for layer hens to determine the effect on performance, egg lipid chemistry, and quality of the eggs produced. Forty-eight 40-wk-old layer hens were fed a conventional soybean meal + corn control diet or a HO peanut + corn diet for 10 wk in conventional battery cages. Body and feed weights were collected weekly. Pooled egg samples were analyzed for quality, lipid analysis, and peanut protein allergenicity. There were no significant differences in hen performance or egg quality as measured by USDA grade quality, egg albumen height, or egg Haugh unit between the treatment groups. However, eggs produced from layer hens fed the HO peanut + corn diet had reduced egg weights relative to the controls (P = 0.0001). Eggs produced from layer hens fed the HO peanut diet had greater yolk color scores (P < 0.0001), HO fatty acid (P < 0.0001), and β-carotene (P < 0.0001) levels in comparison to the controls. Eggs produced from hens fed the control diet had greater palmitic and stearic saturated fatty acids (P < 0.0001), and trans fat (P < 0.0001) content compared to eggs produced from hens fed the HO peanut diet. All egg protein extracts from all treatments at each time point were non-reactive with rabbit anti-peanut agglutinin antibodies. This study identifies HO peanuts as an abundant commodity that could be used to support local agricultural markets of peanuts and poultry within the southeastern United States and be of economic advantage to producers while providing a potential health benefit to the consumer with improved egg nutrition.

Dual functions of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich microalgae: enrichment of yolk with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and partial replacement for soybean meal in diet of laying hens

Microalgae (Nannochloropsis sp., NS), with high contents of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and crude protein, may be one of the important n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) sources and potential protein feed ingredient. The purposes of this study were to enrich yolk with n-3 PUFA by dietary EPA-rich NS supplementation and to evaluate whether it is feasible to partly substitute for soybean meal in laying hens diet. A total of 360 37-wk-old healthy Lohmann Brown laying hens, with similar laying rate and body weight, were randomly allotted to 5 groups (6 replicates, 12 birds/replicate) and fed 5 experimental diets (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8% NS) for 4 wk. The hen performance and egg quality (except yolk color) were not affected (P > 0.05) by the NS supplemental diets. Yolk color score was increased as NS supplementation in diets (P < 0.001), and peaked on about the seventh day in all NS supplemental groups. The concentration of total n-3 PUFA was increased (P < 0.001), while total n-6 PUFA and n-6/n-3 ratio were decreased (P < 0.001) in yolk with increasing NS levels in diets. The 8% NS group had highest docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and total n-3 PUFA levels, reaching 111.6mg DHA and 148.6mg total n-3 PUFA per egg. Maximum DHA, total n-3 PUFA, very long-chain (LC-) n-3 PUFA, and LC-PUFA levels were all observed at day 13 of NS supplementation. In conclusion, dietary NS supplementation enriched yolk with n-3 PUFA (especially DHA) and enhanced yolk color score without adverse effects on performance and egg quality, and indicated the practical feasibility of partial replacement for soybean meal in laying hens diet.

Performa dan Profil Kuning Telur Itik yang Diberi Pakan dengan Suplemen Tepung Bawang Putih dan Limbah Udang

This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding garlic and shrimp waste in the ration on the duck performance and lipid profile of yolk. The animals used were 36 ducklings of 19-week old that were randomly placed in 12 battery cages. The experimental design used in this study was a completely randomized design with four treatments and three replicates. The treatments were R0 (control) = Commercial ration, R1 = Commercial ration + 2% garlic, R2 = Commercial ration + 2% shrimp waste, and R3 = K + 1% garlic + 1% shrimp waste. The results showed that the addition of garlic or shrimp waste resulted in a higher egg production (P<0.05) than that of control group, but the combination of garlic and shrimp waste had no significant effect on egg productuon. The addition of garlic, shrimp waste, or a combination of garlic and shrimp waste increased yolk color score significantly (P<0.05). Giving garlic or shrimp waste, and combination of garlic and shrimp waste significantly (P<0.05) lowered the cholesterol content of the eggs compared to controls. The addition of shrimp waste increased the unsaturated fatty acids content of duck eggs, and at the same time increased saturated fatty acid content.

Broccoli meal fed to laying hens increases nutrients in eggs and deepens the yolk color

The nutritious stems and leaves of broccoli often go to landfills as byproducts after harvesting and processing of the florets. The stems and leaves contain specific carotenoids that are noted to have anti-allergic, anti-cancer and anti-obesity bioactivity. Research has shown the stems and leaves could be made into a meal, small amounts of which could be added to poultry diets to increase the nutrients in eggs and also deepen the color of the yolks. We studied adding a relatively high percentage (15%) of broccoli stem and leaves meal to the corn-soy diets of White Leghorn inbred crosses. Compared to the control group of hens, fed the unenhanced corn-soy diet, feed consumption, body weight, feed conversion, egg production, egg weight, albumen height, Haugh units and eggshell thickness were statistically similar. No harmful effects of the glucosinolates in broccoli were observed. Yolk color scores were significantly higher with the addition of the meal. The results justify larger studies with various commercial lines of laying hens and various levels of meal added to the diets.

Effect of supplementing layer hen diet with phytogenic feed additives on laying performance, egg quality, egg lipid peroxidation and blood biochemical constituents.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing laying hen diet with phytogenic additives on laying performance, egg quality, blood constituents and egg lipid peroxidation. Two hundred Lohmann Brown Lite laying hens were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments: control (without phytogenic additive), fennel seeds (5 g/kg), black cumin seeds (5 g/kg) and hot red pepper (5 g/kg). Each of the 4 diets was fed to 5 replicates of 10 hens for 8 weeks. No significant differences were observed in body weight or feed intake between the groups. Dietary inclusion of fennel followed by red pepper improved (P < 0.05) egg weight, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio compared with control. Higher yolk shape index, shell and albumen weight percentages and Haugh unit (P < 0.05) were recorded in the fennel supplemented group compared with control. The egg yolk color score increased by the addition of fennel or hot red pepper in laying hen diets compared with control. The inclusion of black cumin or hot red pepper decreased serum and egg yolk cholesterol and malondialdehyde concentrations (P < 0.05) compared with control. Serum aspartate aminotransferase concentration was lower in black cumin group (P < 0.05) than in other treatments. In conclusion, the best laying performance and egg quality were obtained by dietary inclusion of fennel, followed by hot red pepper and black cumin. Dietary supplementation of black cumin or red pepper may lead to the development of low-cholesterol concentration and better antioxidant capacity of eggs.