• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 2006

To investigate the effect of feeding rare earth (RE) on the performance of breeder hens a feeding trial with sixteen thousands of 158 day old Ross broiler breeder hens was conducted for thirty weeks. A mixture of RE- chlorides containing mainly La, Ce, and Pr was mixed into corn-soy based diet at two levels, 300 and 600 mg/kg, All the hens were housed in flat layer houses and the ratio of male to female was maintained at one to ten. Dietary supplementation of the of RE at a level of 300 mg/kg made the hens reach egg production peak higher by about 6% and earlier by about two weeks. As a result, it made higher hatchable egg production by 3.5%. It also reduced dramatically the mortality of both male and female breeders(P<0.05). Egg weight was slightly increased but egg qualify was not much influenced by dietary supplementation of RE. Egg albumin hight and Haugh unit were significantly improved while egg shell thickness, egg breaking strength and yolk color were similar to those of the control. Experimental results appeared to show a good possibility that egg fertility and hatchability were improved by feeding RE. Dietary supplementation of RE at a level of 300 mg/kg should be acceptable but not the 600 mg/kg level for breeder hens. Further studies on the effect of RE on egg fertility and hatchability appears to be necessary.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.449-457
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• 2010

This study investigated the effects of three kinds of water extract mixtures each with different ratios of A. capillaris, C. sinensis, S. chinensis, and V. coloratum on laying performance, egg quality, blood characteristics, and egg storage stability in laying hens. One hundred and sixty 35-wk-old laying hens (Hy-line brown) were divided into four groups of 10 birds each replicated times four. The treatments involved a basal diet (C, control) or diets containing three kinds of water extract mixtures at 200 ppm (T1, water extract mixture A; T2, water extract mixture B; T3, water extract mixture C). The egg production rate, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in all treatments compared to those of control (p<0.05). Haugh unit and egg yolk color in all treated groups were significantly improved in comparison with control (p<0.05), but no significant differences were observed for egg shell quality. The content of total cholesterol in blood serum was significantly decreased in all treatments compared to that of control (p<0.05). The blood biochemical parameters of liver and kidney damage were significantly decreased in all treatments compared to those of control (p<0.05). Total antioxidant activity in the blood serum of all treated groups was increased as well. The Haugh unit and malondialdehyde content in the egg yolk during storage were significantly decreased in all treated groups compared to control (p<0.05). Consequently, the dietary supplementation of water extract mixtures of A. capillaris, C. sinensis, S. chinensis, and V. coloratum improved laying performance and egg quality but decreased egg quality deterioration with increased storage. These results suggest that medicinal plant extracts could be used as a feed additive in feed for laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2016

This research was carried out to determine the effect of Cudrania tricuspidata fruit (CTF) on the performance of laying hens, egg quality, yolk fatty acid composition, Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and blood composition. A total 288 Brown Nick laying hens of 48 weeks old replaced into 4 groups with 4 replicates of 18 birds in each. Treatments were added with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0% CTF containing dried seed and pulp. Metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) were 2,800 kcal/kg and 16.0% in basal diets, respectively. Egg production and daily eggmass were significantly increased in 1.0% CTF addition treatment compared to those of other treatments (P<0.05). Egg weight and feed intake were not different among treatments. Feed conversion ratio showed the lower result in 1.0% CTF treatment than other treatments (P<0.05). Eggshell color was not influenced by the addition of CTF. Albumin height, Haugh unit and eggshell breaking strength was not statistically different, but seemed to be higher as dietary CTF addition increased. Yolk color was increased as dietary CTF increased and was the highest in 1.0% CTF group (P<0.05). Fatty acids were not shown the consistency in yolk. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) of birds fed CTF were significantly low compared to those of control. IgG was also statistically higher in CTF treatments than control (P<0.05). As the results of this experiment, the addition of 1% CTF would be the most effective on performance and egg quality, whereas the 0.25% CTF addition in basal diets seemed to be optimum to improve the blood cholesterol, TG,high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CHOL), IgG in laying hens.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.27 no.1 s.88
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• pp.10-14
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• 1999

A single phase composter was constructed by modifying the conventional mixer of sawdust for the cultivation of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. The machine was designed on the basis of 3-phase-1 system which was controlled in prewetting, pasteurization and fermentation processes. In composting 200 kg of straw and cotton waste in the machine, it took 20 minutes in prewetting step and also to hours at $65^{\circ}C$ in pasteurization process. Postfermentation by aerothermophiles was completed by treating the compost at $45^{\circ}C-50^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours which was shorten 24 hours from the conventional method. In the postfermentation at high temperature, forced aeration and/or vigorous mixing process(es) played a great role in the improvement of spawn quality. The growth of mycelium of oyster mushroom was excellent in the culture combinated with 3 parts of surface inoculation and 7 parts of mechanical mixing.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding with dietary silicate based complex mineral (SCM) on the performance of laying hens. SCM at five levels (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8%) was added to commercial diets, and fed to four hundred fifty Hy-Line Brown from fifty four to sixty five weeks of age. Egg production increased as the addition of dietary SCM to basal diets increased up to 0.6% (P<0.05). Furthermore, Feed intake increased in a manner similar to that of egg production (P<0.05). However, there was no difference in feed efficiency among the treatments. Eggshell thickness and breaking strength were significantly higher for the chickens fed with SCM than control from sixty weeks old to the end of experiment (P<0.05). Similarly, albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly higher for the chickens fed with SCM compared to those of control group (P<0.05). AST of birds fed SCM showed significantly higher than control (P<0.05). However, blood neutral fat level tended to increase in SCM treatments. Moreover, bone mineral density increased with SCM addition up to 0.4% (P<0.05). IL-2 (Interleukin-2) and IL-6 (Interleukin-6) levels appeared to be improved in the chickens fed with SCM addition diets, although not statistically different from all treatments. The results of this study indicated that the optimum SCM for improving the performance, egg quality and immunological competence of laying hens from 54 to 65 weeks of age was 0.6%.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2006

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary organic selenium levels on performance and selenium retention in broiler chickens and laying hens. In experiment 1, the effects of dietary organic selenium levels on the weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, and selenium retention of meat and liver in broiler chickens were investigated. For each growth phase, the basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 0.60, 1.20, 1.80 and 2.40 ppm Se from selenium yeast(SY). Weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion were not affected by the selenium addition in diets. Breast muscle Se levels were linearly increased (P<0.05) as dietary Se level increased by SY. Selenium concentration of liver tissue was increased (P<0.05) in supplemental SY compared to the control, and was increased (P<0.05) in supplemental 1.20, 1.80 and 2.40 ppm SY compared to the 0.60 ppm SY. In Experiment 2, 12-week-experiment using Hy-Line laying hens (68 wk of age) was conducted to examine the effects of dietary organic selenium on egg Production, egg weight, daily egg mass, feed intake, feed conversion, egg quality, and selenium concentration of eggs. A corn-soybean meal basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 0.30, 0.60, 0.90 and 1.20 ppm Se from selenium yeast (SY). Egg Production was significantly improved(P<0.05) in supplemental 0.30 and 0.90 ppm SY compared to the control and 0.60 ppm SY during week 1 to 12, but daily egg mass, feed intake, and feed conversion showed no difference in supplemental SY and control. Haugh unit, yolk color and eggshell breaking strength showed no difference in supplemental SY and control. Eggshell thickess was significantly (P<0.05) higher in supplemental 0.60 and 1.20 ppm SY compared to the 0.90 ppm SY in week 9. Egg Se levels were linearly increased (P<0.05) as dietary Se level increased by SY.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2014

The objective of this experimental was to investigate the effect of dietary Cu-sulfate and Cu-soy proteinate on productive performance and small intestinal microflora. A total 1,000 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (35 weeks old) were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: Control, Cu-sulfate 50, 100 (50, 100 ppm Cu supplementation as Cu-sulfate) and Cu-SP 50, 100 (50, 100 ppm Cu supplementation as Cu-soy proteinate). Each treatment was replicated 4 times with fifty birds per replication, housed in 2 birds cages. Fifty birds units were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 5 weeks under 16L : 8D lighting regimen. Hen day egg production was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Cu treated groups than control. Feed intake, broken and shell-less egg production was not significantly influenced by treatment. Eggshell color, eggyolk color, haugh unit, and eggshell thickness were not significantly influenced by treatment. However, eggshell strength was significantly (P<0.05) greater in Cu treated groups than control. Concentration of copper of liver was significantly (P<0.05) greater in Cu treated groups than control. Concentration of zinc and iron of liver were not influenced by treatments. Population of Cl. perfrigens and Lactobacilli in the small intestinal content were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by treatments. Population of Cl. perfrigens decreased and that of Lactobacilli increased in the Cu supplement groups. In conclusion, dietary Cu sulfate and Cu-soy proteinate similarly improves egg production, eggshell strength, and favors intestinal microbial population of laying hens.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding colored barley (CB) and whole crop barley (WCB) on performance, egg quality and blood composition of laying hens. A total of 280, 35 weeks old Brown Nick laying hens were allocated into the individual cage for the period of four weeks. Experimental diets contained 2,750 kcal/kg ME and 16% CP, respectively. The treatments consisted of 5, 10, 15% CB and WCB as feed ingredients with control and there were five replications in each treatment. Higher egg production was noticed at 10% level of CB and 5% level of WCB in the diets, respectively. Feed intake was higher in WCB and CB treatments compared to those of the control (P<0.05), but the feed conversion was not different. Yolk color tended to increase both in WCB and CB groups. Haugh unit seemed to increase WCB treatments. When the CB and WCB were fed at 15% level, blood total proteins, albumin, total cholesterol and triglyceride contents were decreased than that of the control birds, but total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol tended to be higher with the increasing level of WCB. As results, no significant differences were observed in performance and egg quality with different levels of dietary WCB and CB. Thus, CB and WCB can be substituted as a feed ingredient up to 15% level in the laying hens' diet. However, further studies are required by feeding more than 15% levels of CB and WCB in the diet of laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.311-323
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of Bacillus subtilis-based probiotics and oregano essential oil on the production performance, egg quality, and intestinal morphology of late-phase laying hens (69-weeks). A total of 150 laying hens of 69-week-old were randomly allotted into 6 treatment groups with 5 replicates of 5 birds in each replicate. Laying hens were divided into high (H) and average (A) egg production groups prior to the trial. The hens in each group were supplemented with Bacillus subtilis, or oregano essential oil: CON, a basal diet; BS, basal diet plus 3 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed Bacillus subtilis; OEO, basal diet plus 0.3 g/kg feed oregano essential oil. Egg performance, blood characteristics, egg quality, and intestinal morphology of the late-phase laying hens were evaluated. Both BS and OEO significantly enhanced (P<0.05) egg production compared to CON in high egg production. The blood characteristics indicated no significant differences based on the egg production and the supplementation of BS and OEO in the late-phase laying hens. The eggshell strength was significantly improved (P<0.05) in both OEO compared to both CON. A significantly decreased (P<0.05) the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) in the ileum compared to H, and in the treatment groups supplemented with BS and OEO, VH/CD showed a significant increase (P<0.05) compared to both CON. These results suggest that the supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and oregano essential oil in the diet of late-phase laying hens could serve as a potential strategy to enhance egg production, egg quality, and gut health.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2008

This study was conducted to identify the correlation of bacterial phytase ($Transphos^{(R)}$) to the calcium level in feed. Of all 21-week-old 720 HyLine brown laying hens, 2 birds of similar weight were placed on each individual cage. The experiment was conducted by $3{\times}2{\times}3$ factorial design with including 3 different levels of phytase (0, 300, and 1,000 DPU/kg), 2 different levels of calcium (3.5% and 4.0%), and 3 different levels of no NPP addition 0% (0.095 NPP), 0.5% (0.185% NPP), and 1.0% (0.275% NPP). The feeding trial maintained the ME level of 2,800 kcal/kg and 16% for crude protein. The diet was fed ad libitum and 17 hours of lighting was provided throughout the experimental period. Egg production seemed to increase, in the 300 DPU of bacterial phytase added group and the cracked egg tended to reduce in Transphos added group. The egg productivity between treatment groups did not show significant difference by dietary calcium level, whereas non NPP added group (0.095% NPP) was found to be low compared to NPP added groups (P<0.05). The highest mean egg weight and the highest daily egg mass were detected in 300 DPU phytase added group. Although the mean egg weight was significantly higher in treatment groups fed with 3.5% calcium containing feeds (P<0.05), daily egg mass was no among treatment groups. The mean egg weight and daily egg mass were the lowest in non NPP added group (0.095% NPP) compared to other treatment groups (P<0.05). The feed intake showed similar pattern regardless of the bacterial phytase and calcium levels in the diet. However, the treatment groups fed diets containing NPP level of 0.275% and 0.165% showed significantly higher feed intake than the group fed with 0.095% NPP (P<0.05). Although the feed conversion was not affected by calcium and NPP levels in the diet, the most improved result was obtained from 300 DPU phytase added group (P<0.05). The eggshell breaking strength and thickness increased as dietary calcium level increase the level of calcium increases in diet. The treatment groups fed diet containing 0.275% and 0.165% NPP revealed to show improvement in eggshell breaking strength and yolk color index compared to the NPP non added (0.095% NPP) treatment group. The result of the present study suggests that the appropriate level of microbial phytase is 300 DPU and at this level, tricalciumphosphate supplementation in feed can be reduced to 40% of NRC recommendation. Higher calcium level in feed fail to show synergistic effect by adding microbial phytase.