Search

This study was carried out to determine the effect of adding different ratios of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) extract (KHE) to layer hen rations on performance and egg internal-external quality parameters. In the study, 96 layer Atak-S hens at the age of 22 weeks were used. Chickens were divided into 4 groups, each consisting of six subgroups, and arranged in a way to have four chickens in each subgroup. The study was conducted over a period of 90 days. During the study, the control group was fed with basal feed, and the experimental groups were fed with feeds with 0.30%, 0.60% and 0.90% KHE added to the basal feed, respectively. Although there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of egg production (P>0.05), it was determined that the average egg production at the end of the study was numerically higher in the groups fed with KHE-containing feeds compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, live weight, egg yolk colour averages (P>0.05). In the study, it was determined that egg weight in the groups containing 0.90% KHE was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). Egg shell thickness were also significantly increased in 0.30% and 0.60% KHE containing groups (P<0.05). It was concluded that dandelion extract has a positive effect on egg quality in laying hens and more studies should be done on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the effect of adding different amounts of chia seeds as prebiotics to laying hen feed on egg production and the internal and external quality characteristics of eggs. In the study, 96-laying hens at the age of 25 weeks were used. Laying hens were divided into four groups, each consisting of six subgroups, and four chickens were included in each subgroup. During the 70 days, the control group was given no additive laying hen feed while other groups were given feeds containing 0.50 %, 0.75 %, and 1.00 % chia seeds, respectively. As the result, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg weight, egg specific gravity, eggshell thickness, Haugh unit, and white index (P>0.05). In terms of live weight gains, there was a difference in favour of the group that added chia seeds at the level of 1.00% (P<0.05). It was observed that the body weight gains were 71.83 g, 40.42 g, 87.85 g, and 116.9 g in the control, 0.50 %, 0.75 %, and 1.00 % chia groups, respectively. In conclusion, it is seen that adding chia seeds to the rations at different rates did not have a significant effect on other parameters except for live weight gain in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to demonstrate the effects of the use of water-extracted propolis (PE) as a coating material on shelf life, storage temperature, time, and egg quality parameters obtained from free-range laying hens. The idea of coating an egg with a product to preserve its freshness for a longer time has been the subject of research by researchers. For this purpose, there are studies using samples of propolis extracted using different alcohols. In this study, the effects of coating eggs obtained from free-range reared chickens with water extracted PE and keeping them in different storage conditions on the internal and external quality parameters of the eggs were investigated. For this purpose, 80 eggs were collected from 64-week-old Lohmann brown layers. Egg samples were divided into groups of 8 treatments [2 storage times (10 and 20 days) × 2 storage temperatures (4°C and 22°C) × propolis coating on the shell (coated / uncoated)] and arranged to contain 10 eggs per treatment. In the study, it was seen that PE caused positive effects on the shelf life and internal quality characteristics of eggs stored at room and refrigerator temperature, as it covers the pores on the shell. As a result of coating with propolis extract, specific gravity and egg yolk index values increased (P <0.05). In addition, the number of mesophilic bacteria has decreased. Due to these positive effects, propolis can be considered as a natural alternative product that can be used for eggshell coating. It was determined at the end of the research that coating with the water-derived extract of propolis, a by-product of beekeeping activities, might have positive effects on long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experiment; the effects of additions sunflower oil and/or inorganic (sodium selenite) and organic selenium (selenium-enriched yeast) to laying hen diet on performance, egg quality and egg shelf life were investigated. A total of 252 42-week-old Lohmann LSL white laying hens were randomly assigned to 6 experimental groups with 7 replications (6 chickens per repeat). Experimental pattern was created according to a factorial experiment plan designed according to 2×3 random plots. Six experiment diets were created by adding two different selenium (0.3 mg/kg) to both diets prepared with/without sunflower oil (3%). The experiment was continued for 12 weeks. Although no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, specific gravity, Haugh unit, albumen and yolk ratio in the experiment, significant differences were determined in egg weight, shape index, shell ratio, shell thickness, egg yolk color, albumen and yolk ratio (P=0.05). Egg yolk thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were higher (P<0.05) in group added only sunflower oil compared to other experimental groups. It was determined that selenium supplementation decreased TBARS value in groups fed a fatty diet (P<0.05). As a result; It was observed that the addition of sunflower oil and/or different sources of selenium to the laying hen diet did not affect performance and egg quality parameters in general; the addition of sunflower oil to the diet increased the egg yolk TBARS value, selenium supplementation prevented this increase and had favorable effects on egg shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis) added to laying hen diets on performance, egg quality, serum lipid profile, some antioxidant enzymes and liver fat ratio. A total of 120 Lohman LSL hybrid laying hens at the age of 70 weeks was used in the study, divided into five groups (n=24) and each group was carried out with six replications. The first group was with basal feed (control), the second group was with high energy (3000 kcal kg-1) feed, and the 3rd, 4th and 5th groups were with feeds that added 5, 10 and 15 g kg-1 rosemary leaves, respectively, to high energy (HE) diet. It was fed for 8 weeks. At the beginning of experiment, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in initial body weight, feed conversion ratio and egg weight. At all treatment groups final body weight decreased except control group. Feed consumption and egg production decreased in the group that fed with high energy (HE) feed that was not added rosemary. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in albumen, yolk and shell weight, Haugh units, shape index and shell thickness (P>0.05). Although, the addition of rosemary to laying hen rations significantly increased yolk color and shell breaking strength. Serum GPx value was found to increase significantly with the addition of HE+15 g kg-1 rosemary leaf (P<0.001). It has been determined that the addition of rosemary to the feed decreases the plasma triglyceride and VLDL ratio. Liver weight was found to be high in HE+0 g kg-1 group (P<0.001). The liver fat rate was low in all groups that added rosemary leaves. As a result; it might be said that the addition of rosemary leaves to high energy laying hen diets positively affects shell breaking strength, yolk color, serum triglyceride value, VLDL ratio, liver weight, liver fat ratio and GPx enzyme activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]