• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 1998

Dried carrot meal (DCM) prepared from fresh carrot was found to be a good source of xanthophyll (54 mg/kg) and morderate source of protein (188.3 g/kg) and energy (2,510 kcal/kg) with low level of fibre (80 g/kg). DM, EE and NFE content of DCM were 895, 35 and 661.7 g/kg respectively. The ingredient was used in laying hen diet to evaluate its pigmenting value for egg yolk. Thirty-two laying hens from Starcross strain were divided into four groups and fed four different diets: a control diet containing 62% ground wheat, a corn-based diet (50% ground yellow corn), control + 4% DCM and control + 8% DCM. Use of DCM at 8% level in layer mash significantly improved yolk colour at 3rd, 6th and 9th week of supplementation in comparison with wheat-based control diet. This improvement was statististically similar to that obtained from yellow corn-based diet. DCM at 4% level also improved yolk colour score. Wheat-based diet significantly increased feed consumption compared to yellow corn and diet supplied with 8% DCM. Body weight gain, egg production, feed conversion were not significantly affected due to dietary addition of DCM and no mortality was observed during 63-day experimental period. Further works on DCM are suggested.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.702-707
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• 1998

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a microbial enzyme (Roxazyme-$G^{(R)}$), a multicarbohydrases preparation, supplementation to the wheat-based layer diets. Diets were formulated to include different levels of wheat replacing yellow corn on isocaloric and isonitrogenous basis. The energy value of wheat in the enzyme supplemented diets was adjusted (spec-modified) to have 5% more ME than the wheat in diets without enzyme. A total of 864 Hy-$Line^{(R)}$ brown layers were assigned to 4 dietary treatments: 10% wheat (T1), 25% wheat (T2), 25% wheat (spec-modified)+ 0.01 % Roxazyme-$G^{(R)}$ (T3), and all wheat (spec-modified)+0.01% Roxazyme-$G^{(R)}$ (T4). Hen-day egg productions of T1 and T4 were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that of T2 but not different from T3. Hen-housed egg production of T4 was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than those of T1 and T3 but not different from T2. Egg weights of T1 and T2 were significantly (p < 0.0 1) greater than that of T4. Feed consumption of T2 was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than other treatments. Feed conversion ratio (feed/egg mass) was not significantly different among treatments. Eggshell thickness of T1 was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than other treatments but ratio of broken eggs was not significantly different among treatments. Haugh unit of T4 was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than that of T2. Egg yolk color was significantly (p < 0.01) influenced by treatments in which enzyme treatment potentiated the yolk pigmentation. It was concluded that a multi-carbohydrases supplementation enables complete replacement of yellow com with wheat without loss of productivity and major egg quality parameters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.341-349
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• 2019

Objective: Internal organs indirectly affect economic performance and well-being of animals. Study of internal organs during later layer period will allow full utilization of layer hens. Hence, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify potential quantitative trait loci or genes that potentially contribute to internal organ weight. Methods: A total of 1,512 chickens originating from White Leghorn and Dongxiang Blue-Shelled chickens were genotyped using high-density Affymetrix 600 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. We conducted a GWAS, linkage disequilibrium analysis, and heritability estimated based on SNP information by using GEMMA, Haploview and GCTA software. Results: Our results displayed that internal organ weights show moderate to high (0.283 to 0.640) heritability. Variance partitioned across chromosomes and chromosome lengths had a linear relationship for liver weight and gizzard weight ($R^2=0.493$, 0.753). A total of 23 highly significant SNPs that associated with all internal organ weights were mainly located on Gallus gallus autosome (GGA) 1 and GGA4. Six SNPs on GGA2 affected heart weight. After the final analysis, five top SNPs were in or near genes 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A, general transcription factor IIF polypeptide 2, WD repeat and FYVE domain containing 2, non-SMC condensin I complex subunit G, and sonic hedgehog, which were considered as candidate genes having a pervasive role in internal organ weights. Conclusion: Our findings provide an understanding of the underlying genetic architecture of internal organs and are beneficial in the selection of chickens.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2008

A layer feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of high quality corn distiller's dried grains with solubles(DDGS) on laying performance and nutrient metabolizabilities. A total of 216 Hy-line Brown layers, 23-wk of age, were employed in a 10-wk feeding trial consisting of three dietary treatments(0%, 10%, and 20% DDGS), and six replicates per treatment. All experimental diets were prepared as iso-protein(17%) and iso-calorie(2,780 kcal/kg). At the end of the trial, the effect of DDGS on fecal ammonia emission was also estimated. The use of DDGS up to 20% in layer diets did not affect the feed intake, laying rate, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio(P>0.05). The DM metabolizability decreased significantly(P<0.05) by the DDGS supplementation(P<0.05). The NFE metabolizability decreased gradually as the level of DDGS increased(P<0.05). The fecal ammonia emission from DDGS-fed birds tended to decrease as the storage days extended. In conclusion, albeit DDGS has some unfavorable effects on DM and NFE metabolizabilities, it could be included in layer diets up to 20% level without any harmful effects on laying performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1296-1302
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• 2009

Ninety six beak-trimmed 72 week-old Lohmann Brown hens were randomly divided into four equal groups. Each group comprised 4 replicates. Isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets contained low calcium (3.5%); optimum calcium (4.2%); low Ca (3.5% Ca)+1% Clinoptilolite (CLP); low Ca (3.5% Ca)+2% CLP. Data were collected biweekly and the experiment lasted 6 weeks. Egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, tibia Ca, P, ash and eggshell thickness were not affected by addition of CLP to the diets (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in egg shell strength and ash when data were analyzed individually in measurement periods ($74^{th}$, $76^{th}$ and $78^{th}$ weeks). However, according to pooled data ($74^{th}$-$78^{th}$ weeks), eggshell strength was increased (p<0.05) only by 2% CLP supplementation versus low Ca (3.5%) diet, and shell ash was significantly increased by 2% CLP supplementation compared with the other diets. The damaged egg ratio on 1% and 2% CLP diets was significantly decreased between 76-78 weeks'data when compared with the low Ca diet. However; damaged egg ratio on the 2% CLP diet was significantly decreased when pooled data (74-78) were compared with no CLP diets. The differences in marketable egg ratio paralleled damaged egg ratio. The plasma calcium level at the end of experiment was increased on the 2% CLP diet when compared with the low Ca (3.5%) diet (p<0.05). Furthermore, at the end of the experiment a marked decrease of manure moisture was observed on both CLP diets (p<0.01). In conclusion, Clinoptilolite (2%) supplementation to layer diets tends to improve eggshell quality and manure dry matter (1% and 2% CLP) after six weeks.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2004

This experiment was conducted to examine the dietary effects of local granular ark shell(GAS) replacing limestone on egg shell quality in aged hens. A total of 200 Hy-Line Brown layers of 54-weeks-old were allotted into four treatments with five replications each. They were fed control(limestone only) 1% GAS, 2% GAS and 3% GAS diets for 6 weeks. GAS was substituted for coarse-type limestone at 0, 1, 2 or 3% of diet on weight basis. Particle sizes of limestone and GAS were within the ranges of 2~4 mm in diameters. In vitro HCl solubility of GAS was significantly lower(6.27 vs. 7.90%) compared to that of limestone(p < 0.05). The dietary treatment did not affect feed intake and egg production rate of the birds. Egg shell strength and thickness tended to be improved for birds fed the diets containing higher levels of GAS. The average egg shell strength and thickness of 2 or 3% GAS groups were significantly greater than those of the control (P < 0.05). The Tibial ash content of birds from 3% GAS group increased significantly as compared to that of the control. Tibial breaking strength, however, was not affected by the dietary treatment. Serum Ca and P contents of the birds were also not different among the dietary treatments. In conclusion, locally prepared GAS can be used as a calcium source in aged layer diet.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2003

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of dietary Monascus culture on the cholesterol contents of egg yolk, muscle and serum of layers with 180 Isa-Brown laying hens for 10 weeks. Control group(C) was fed the commercial laying hen diet and 2.67(T1), 5.33(T2) and 8.00(T3)% of Monascus culture which contained 0.6% monacolin-k added to control diet so as to supply the monacolin-k 20(T1), 40(T2) and 60(T3) mg respectively, per hen-day with 125g diet. Hen-day egg production and average egg weight were not affected by the dietary Monascus culture, but feed intake and feed conversion per kg egg were significantly decreased(P<0.05) as the dietary Monascus culture increased. Cholesterol contents of egg yolk measured 4~5 weeks after feeding the Monascus culture and those of thigh meat measured at the end of experiment were significantly decreased(P<0.05) as the dietary Monascus culture increased. Average cholesterol contents of serum showed a trend to decrease as the dietary Monascus culture increased without significant difference.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2005

Forty-wk-old 480 ISA Brown layers were used in a 10-wk feeding trial to investigate the effects of additional various levels of limestone to a low calcium diet without any calcium additives on the performance of laying hens. There were significant differences in average egg weight (P<0.05) without any specific trend among treatments and hen-day egg production was not influenced by the dietary treatments. Daily intake and conversion per kg egg of feed excluded the calcium supplement were significantly reduced (p<0.05) as the level of additional calcium supplement increased in both types of layer diet, while those of feed included the calcium source were significantly increased (P<0.05) as the level of additional calcium supplement increased. Egg specific gravity, eggshell breaking strength and thickness were increased as the level of additional calcium supplement increased, however the significant differences were found only in egg specific gravity It would be possible to reduce the daily feed intake and feed conversion and to improve the eggshell quality by feed the low calcium diet devoid of calcium supplement from the conventional laying hen diet and by supply the additional calcium source at 3 to 4 p.m. instead of the continuous feeding of conventional high calcium diet.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.717-726
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• 2022

The study evaluated different molt-inducing methods to achieve the main goal of molting in commercial layers during molting and post-molting periods. A total of 400 60-week-old Lohmann Brown layers were randomly divided into five groups (eight replicates of 10 birds for each group). Laying hens in the fasting control group received no diet from day 1 to day 10. The second group received a molt-inducing diet recommended by the breeding company. The third group received a wheat bran-based diet. The fourth group received a commercial layer diet with 8,000 ppm zinc (as zinc oxide, ZnO). The fifth group received an induced molting diet given to the second group with 8,000 ppm zinc, respectively. Egg production in the fasting control group and groups fed a diet with ZnO were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than those in groups fed the molt-inducing and wheat bran-based diets without ZnO during molting. Egg laying in the fasting control group was rapidly reduced and stopped on the 5.9th day of molting. In both groups having molt treatment with ZnO, egg production was similarly reduced and ceased on the 6.9th day and 7.0th day of molting, respectively, none of them differed significantly from the control. Layers fed molt-inducing diet or wheat bran-based diet did not reach the cessation of laying even on the 28th d of molting period. Relative weights of the ovary and growing oocytes of layers subjected to fasting or fed diets with ZnO were significantly lower than those of other groups. During the first two weeks of post molting, layers fed molt-inducing diet with ZnO showed higher egg production than the other two groups (p < 0.01). The eggshell strength in the group fed the commercial diet with ZnO was significantly higher than those fed the molt-inducing diet or wheat bran-based diets at 6 weeks of post molting (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the non-feed withdrawal molting using ZnO is more effective in inducing molting and increasing post-molt egg production and egg quality than other methods using a molt-inducing diet alone or wheat bran-based diet without ZnO.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.609-618
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• 2023

Objective: TLRI 211-1 is a novel Bacillus subtilis strain. This experiment was to investigate dietary supplementation of TLRI 211-1 on laying performance, egg quality and blood characteristics of layers. Methods: One hundred and twenty 65-wk-old Leghorn layers were divided into four treatment groups for 8 weeks experiment. Each treatment had three replicates. The basal diet was formulated as control group with crude protein 17% and metabolizable energy 2,850 kcal/kg and supplemented with TLRI 211-1 0.1%, 0.3%, and commercial Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 0.1% as treatment 2, 3 and 4 groups, respectively. Both TLRI 211-1 and commercial Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were adjusted to contain 1×10⁹ colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL (g), hence the 0.1% supplemental level was 1×10⁹ CFU/kg. Results: The results showed that TLRI 211-1 0.3% and commercial B. amyloliquefaciens groups had higher weight gain than the other groups; TLRI 211-1 0.1% group had better feed to eggs conversion ratio than the control and commercial B. amyloliquefaciens groups (p<0.05). Bacillus subtilis supplementation increased yolk weight (p<0.05). In egg quality during storage, TLRI 211-1 0.1% had higher breaking strength than the control group at the second week of storage (p<0.05). At the third week of storage, TLRI 211-1 0.3% had higher Haugh unit (p<0.05). Hens fed diets supplemented with TLRI 211-1 0.3% significantly decreased blood triglyceride levels and increased blood calcium levels (p<0.05). TLRI 211-1 0.3% group had lower H₂S (p<0.05) and hence had less unpleasant odor in excreta of hens. Conclusion: In conclusion, supplementation with 0.1% TLRI 211-1 can significantly improve feed to eggs conversion ratio. TLRI 211-1 supplementation also can maintain eggs at their optimum quality level during storage. The study showed that B. subtilis TLRI 211-1 can be used as feed additives for improving egg production performance and egg quality.