Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2010, 55(7):294-306 | DOI: 10.17221/207/2009-CJAS

Laying performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed diets supplemented with prebiotics and organic acids

S. Świątkiewicz, J. Koreleski, A. Arczewska
National Research Institute of Animal Production, Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Balice, Poland

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of organic acids and the prebiotic fructans on egg production and eggshell quality when added to the layer diet with different levels of calcium and phosphorus. The experiment was carried out on 168 Bovans Brown hens, allocated to 14 groups of 12 replications. Each hen (replication) was kept in an individual cage 40 cm × 40 cm in size. A 2 × 7 factorial arrangement, with two dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus (normal - 3.70% Ca, 0.65% P, and reduced - 3.25% Ca, 0.60% P) and with diets supplemented by selected additives (none, 0.75% inulin, 0.75% oligofructose, 0.50% volatile fatty acids (VFA), 0.25% medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), 0.30% VFA + 0.20% MCFA, 0.75% inulin + 0.50% VFA) was used. The experiment was carried out over 34 weeks, from the age of 26 to 70 weeks. There were no statistically confirmed effects of the factors studied in this experiment on egg performance, i.e. laying rate, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion. Reducing the dietary levels of Ca and P significantly decreased eggshell percent, thickness, density and breaking strength. The additives used had a considerable effect on eggshell quality at 46, 58 and 70 weeks of age, and these positive effects were most pronounced in the case of inulin and MCFA. There was no significant interaction between Ca and P dietary levels and the additives used. It was thus concluded that selected feed additives which lower the pH of the diet and intestinal content can beneficially influence eggshell quality in older high-producing laying hens.

Keywords: laying hens; egg production; eggshell quality; organic acids; prebiotic fructans

Published: July 31, 2010  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Świątkiewicz S, Koreleski J, Arczewska A. Laying performance and eggshell quality in laying hens fed diets supplemented with prebiotics and organic acids. Czech J. Anim. Sci. 2010;55(7):294-306. doi: 10.17221/207/2009-CJAS.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Abdel-Fattah S.A., El-Sanhoury M.H., El-Mednay N.M., Abdel-Azeem F. (2008): Thyroid activity, some blood constituents, organs morphology and performance of broiler chicks fed supplemental organic acids. International Journal of Poultry Science, 7, 215-222. Go to original source...
    2. Al-Batshan H.A., Scheideler S.E., Black B.L., Garlich J.D., Anderson K.E. (1994): Duodenal calcium uptake, femur ash, and eggshell quality decline with age and increasing following moult. Poultry Science, 73, 1590-1596. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Andrys R., Klecker D., Zeman L., Mareček E. (2003): The effect of changed pH values of feed in isophosphoric diets on chicken broiler performance. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 48, 197-206.
    4. AOAC (1990): Officials methods of analysis. 15th ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Aarlington, USA.
    5. Boling S.D., Webel D.M., Mavromichalis I., Parsons C. M., Baker D.H. (2000): The effects of citric acid on phytate-phosphorus utilization in young chicks and pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 78, 682-689. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    6. Castillo C., Cuca M., Pro A., Gonzalez M., Morales. E. (2004): Biological and economic optimum level of calcium in White Leghorn laying hens. Poultry Science, 83, 868-872. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Chen Y.C., Chen T.C. (2004): Mineral utilization in layers as influenced by dietary oligofructose and inulin. International Journal of Poultry Science, 3, 442-445. Go to original source...
    8. Chen Y.C., Nakthong C., Chen T.C. (2005a): Effect of chicory fructans on egg cholesterol in commercial laying hen. International Journal of Poultry Science, 4, 109-114. Go to original source...
    9. Chen Y.C., Nakthong C., Chen T.C. (2005b): Improvement of laying hen performance by dietary prebiotic chicory oligofructose and inulin. International Journal of Poultry Science, 4, 103-108. Go to original source...
    10. Chen Y.C., Nakthong C., Chen T.C., Buddington R.K. (2005c): The influence of dietary beta-fructan supplement on digestive functions, serum glucose, and yolk lipid content of laying hens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 4, 645-651. Go to original source...
    11. Coudray C., Rambeau M., Feillet-Coudray C., Tressol J. C., Demigne C., Gueux E., Mazur A., Rayssiguier Y. (2005): Dietary inulin intake and age can significantly affect intestinal absorption of calcium and magnesium in rats: a stable isotope approach. Nutrition Journal, 4, 29-36. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Coudray C., Feillet-Coudray C., Gueux E., Mazur A., Rayssiguier Y. (2006): Dietary inulin intake and age can affect intestinal absorption of zinc and copper in rats. Journal of Nutrition, 136, 117-122. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. De Ketelaere B., Govaerts T., Coucke P., Dewil E., Visscher J., Decuypere E., De Baerdemaeker J. (2002): Measuring the eggshell strength of 6 different genetic strains of laying hens: techniques and comparisons. British Poultry Science, 43, 238-244. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Delzenne N.M., Aertssens J., Verplaetse H., Roccaro M., Roberfroid M. (1995): Effects of fermentable fructooligosaccharides on mineral, nitrogen, and energy digestive balance in the rats. Life Science, 57, 1579-1587. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    15. Demigne C., Jacobs H., Moundras C., Davicco M.J., Horcajada M.N., Bernalier A., Coxam V. (2008): Comparison of native or reformulated chicory fructans, or non-purified chicory, on rat cecal fermentation and mineral metabolism. European Journal of Nutrition, 47, 366-374. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. Gama N.M.S.Q., Oliveira M.B.C., Santin E., Berchieri Jr. A. (2000): Supplementation with organic acids in diet of laying hens. Ciencia Rural, 30, 499-502. Go to original source...
    17. Garcia V., Catala-Gregori P., Hernandez F., Megias M.D., Madrid J. (2007): Effect of formic acid and plant extracts on growth, nutrient digestibility, intestine mucosa morphology, and meat yield of broilers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 16, 555-562. Go to original source...
    18. Gibson G.R., Roberfroid M.B. (1995): Dietary modulation of the human colonic microflora. Introducing the concept of prebiotics. Journal of Nutrition, 125, 1401-412. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Janssen W.M.M.A. (1989): European table of energy values for poultry feedstuffs. In: 3rd ed. Working Group No. 2 of the European Branch. World's Poultry Science Associace, Beekbergen, The Netherlands.
    20. Kadim I.T., Al-Marzooqi W., Mahgoub O., Al-Jabri A., Al-Waheebi S.K. (2008): Effect of acetic acid supplementation on egg quality characteristics of commercial laying hens during hot season. International Journal of Poultry Science, 7, 1015-1021.
    21. Kim W.K., Donalson L.M., Mitchell A.D., Kubena L.F., Nisbey D.J., Ricke S.C. (2006): Effects of alfalfa and fructooligosaccharide on molting parameters and bone qualities using dual x-ray absorptiometry and conventional bone assays. Poultry Science, 85, 15-20. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. Koreleski J., Swiatkiewicz S. (2004): Calcium from limestone meal and grit in laying hen diets - effect on performance, eggshell and bone quality. Journal of Animal and Feed Science, 13, 635-645. Go to original source...
    23. Kruger M.C., Brown K.E., Collet G., Layton L., Schollum L.M. (2003): The effect of fructooligosaccharides with different degree of polymerization on calcium bioavailability in the growing rat. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 228, 683-688. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    24. Liem A., Pesti G.M., Edwards Jr. H.M. (2008): The effect of several organic acids on phytate phosphorus hydrolysis in broiler chicks. Poultry Science, 87, 689-693. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    25. Lutz T., Scharrer E. (1991): Effect of short-chain fatty acids on calcium absorption by the rat colon. Experimental Physiology, 76, 615-618. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    26. Mineo H., Hara H., Kikuchi H., Sakurai H., Tomita F. (2001): Various indigestible saccharides enhance net calcium transport from the epithelium of the small and large intestine of rats in vitro. Journal of Nutrition, 131, 3243-3246. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. Morohashi T., Sano T., Ohta A., Yamada S. (1998): True calcium absorption in the intestine is enhanced by fructooligosaccharide feeding in rats. Journal of Nutrition, 128, 1815-1818. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    28. Mroz Z., Jongbloed A. W., Partanen K. H., Vreman K., Kemme P. A., Kogut J. (2000): The effects of calcium benzoate in diets with or without organic acids on dietary buffering capacity, apparent digestibility, retention of nutrients, and manure characteristics in swine. Journal of Animal Science, 78, 2622-2632. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    29. Narvaez-Solarte W., Rostagno H.S., Soares P.R., UribeVelasquez L.F., Silva M.A. (2006): Nutritional requirement of calcium in white laying hens from 46 to 62 wk of age. International Journal of Poultry Science, 5, 181-184. Go to original source...
    30. Nys Y. (1999): Nutritional factors affecting eggshell quality. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 44, 135-143.
    31. Nys Y. (2001): Recent developments in layer nutrition for optimising shell quality. In: Proceedings of 13th European Symposium of Poultry Nutrition. Blankenberge, Belgium, 45-52.
    32. Ohta A., Ohtsuki M., Baba S., Adachi T., Sakata T., Sagaguchi E. (1995): Calcium and magnesium absorption from the colon and rectum are increased in rats fed fructooligosaccharides. Journal of Nutrition, 125, 2417-2424. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    33. Omogbenigun F.O., Nyachoti C.M., Slominski B.A. (2003): The effect of supplementing microbial phytase and organic acids to a corn-soybean based diet fed to early weaned pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 81, 1806-1813. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    34. Orban J.I., Roland D.A., Cummins K., Lovell R.T. (1993): Influence of large doses of ascorbic acid on performance, plasma calcium, bone characteristics, and eggshell quality in broilers and Leghorn hens. Poultry Science, 72, 691-700. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    35. Park J.H., Park G.G., Ryu K.S. (2002): Effect of feeding organic acid mixture and yeast culture on performance and egg quality of laying hens. Korean Journal of Poultry Science, 29, 109-115.
    36. Park K.W., Rhee A.R., Um J.S., Paik I.K. (2009): Effect of dietary available phospohorus and organic acids on the performance and egg quality of laying hens. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 18, 598-604. Go to original source...
    37. Radcliffe J.S., Zhang Z., Kornegay E.T. (1998): The effects of microbial phytase, citric acid, and their interaction in a corn-soybean meal-based diet for weanling pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 76, 1880-1886. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    38. Rama Rao S.V., Panda A.K., Raju M.V.L.N., Shyam Sunder G., Praharaj N.K. (2003): Requirement of calcium for commercial broilers and white leghorn layers at low dietary phosphorus levels. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 106, 199-208. Go to original source...
    39. Rehman H., Rosenkranz C., Bohm J., Zentek J. (2007): Dietary inulin affects the morphology but not the sodium dependent glucose and glutamine transport in the jejunum of broilers. Poultry Science, 86, 118-122. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    40. Roland Sr. D.A. (1988): Research note: egg shell problems: estimates of incidence and economic impact. Poultry Science, 67, 1801-1803. Go to original source...
    41. Safaa H.M., Serrano M.P., Valencia D.G., Frikha M., Jimenez-Moreno E., Mateos G.G. (2008): Productive performance and egg quality of brown egg-laying hens in the late phase of production as influenced by level and source of calcium in the diet. Poultry Science, 87, 2043-2051. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    42. Scholz-Ahrens K.E., Ade P., Marten B., Weber P., Timm W., Asil Y., Gluer C.-C., Schrezenmeir J. (2007): Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics affect mineral absorption, bone mineral content, and bone structure. Journal of Nutrition, 137, 838S-846S. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    43. Sengor E., Yardimci M., Cetingul S., Bayram I., Sahin H., Dogan I. (2007): Effects of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) supplementation on performance and egg characteristics of old breeder hens. South African Journal of Animal Science, 37, 158-163. Go to original source...
    44. Senkoylu N., Samli H.E., Kanter M., Agma A. (2007): Influence of a combination of formic and propionic acids added to wheat- and barley-based diets on the p erformance and g ut histomorpholog y of broiler chickens. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 55, 479-490. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    45. Sohail S.S., Roland D.A. Sr. (2000): Influence of phytase on calcium utilization in commercial layers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 9, 81-87. Go to original source...
    46. Soltan M.A. (2008): Effect of organic acid supplementation on egg production, egg quality, and some blood serum parameters in laying hens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 7, 613-621. Go to original source...
    47. Swiatkiewicz S., Koreleski J. (2008): The effect of zinc and manganese source in the diet for laying hens on eggshell and bones quality. Veterinary Medicine, 53, 555-563. Go to original source...
    48. Washburn K.W. (1982): Incidence, cause, and prevention of eggshell breakage in commercial production. Poultry Science, 61, 205-2012. Go to original source...
    49. Yesilbag D., Colpan I. (2006): Effects of organic acid supplemented diets on growth performance, egg production and quality and on serum parameters in laying hens. Revue de Medicine Veterinaire, 157, 280-284.
    50. Yildiz G., Sacakli P., Gungor T. (2006): The effect of dietary Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) on performance, egg quality characteristics and egg cholesterol content in laying hens. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 8, 349-354. Go to original source...
    51. Zafar T.A., Weav C.M., Zhao Y., Martin B.R., Wastney M.E. (2004): Nondigestible oligosaccharides increase calcium absorption and suppress bone resorption in ovariectomized rats. Journal of Nutrition, 134, 399-402. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content