• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 1998

This study was investigated to study split diets on laying performance and eggshell quality with Hy-Line brown layers 43 weeks old for 12 weeks Layers fed a conventional diet and split diets were divided into morning and afternoon diet. The conventional diet contained 3.4 % Ca was given constant nutrients all day. Hens of the split diets fed morning diets contained 0.5 % Ca constantly and afternoon diets contained 5.9, 8.0, and 10.0 % Ca in T1to T3. Split diets were given morning diets from 04:00 to 15:00 and afternoon diets 15:00 to 21 :00 alternately. Egg production, egg weight, and egg mass were not significantly different among diets. Abnormal eggs decreased in T1 and T2, but no significantly differed(P>0.05). Feed intake decreased in all of split diets compared to control diets (P <0.05). So, feed conversion ratio also improved in split diets(P<0.05). ME and CP intake decreased in T2 and T3, and Ca intake increased in proportion to Ca content of diets(P<0.05). ME and CP requirements per kg eggs decreased in the split diets, and that of Ca increased. Although there were not different significantly, egg shell strength and thickness improved slightly in T2 at 12 week. Yolk color, haugh unit and yolk index were not different among diets. Therefore, we concluded that split diet feeding to layer could improve feed and economic efficiency with normal egg production.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.97-107
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• 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the dietary effect of organic sulfur (OS) supplementation on performance, egg quality and serum constituents in laying hens. A total of 360 Lohmann brown laying hens at the age of 31 weeks were distributed into four treatments having five replicates of 18 hens each until 54 weeks. The hens were fed four levels (0.0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4%) of OS with basal diet. The number of eggs was investigated daily, and egg quality was confirmed every 8 weeks. Sulfur content in eggs, interleukin 2 (IL-2), T help cells (CD4+) and cytotoxicity cells (CD8+) were measured at the termination of the experiment. The result of the study showed that egg production tended to increase with 0.4% OS in diet after 39 weeks of age and, there was a significant effect (P<0.05) from 47 to 54 weeks of age. Egg quality traits of albumen height and haugh unit increased significantly (P<0.05) owing to the addition of OS to the diet. The polyunsaturated fatty acids in yolk were gradually increased while saturated fatty acids were decreased with increasing levels in OS (P<0.05). Total sulfur concentration in the eggs increased significantly (P<0.05) in treatments fed OS. Moreover, albumin, AST and HDL cholesterol levels in serum improved significantly (P<0.05) owing to the addition of OS. The IL-2 concentration and the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ in blood were generally higher (P<0.05) at 0.4% OS. Therefore, it can be recommended that supplementary OS diet affected the performance, egg quality and stimulated immune response in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) sources on the antioxidant defense system in the blood and liver of laying hens. Thirty-six 40-wk old Lohmann Brown hens were randomly assigned to three groups based on body weight, with four cages with three layers each. Laying hens were divided into one of the following groups: control (CON), powdered CoQ10 (PCoQ, 100 mg/kg diet), and emulsified CoQ10 (ECoQ, 100 mg/kg diet). All hens were fed a control diet or a control diet supplemented with powdered or emulsified CoQ10 ad libitum for five weeks. There were no differences in body weight, weight gain, and organ weights among the treatment groups, including the liver and spleen. The blood total antioxidant power (TAP) in the ECoQ group increased (P<0.05) by approximately 2-fold compared to that in the CON group. However, there was no significant difference in blood TAP levels between the PCoQ and ECoQ groups, although a decreasing trend (P<0.13) was observed for levels of TAP in the ECoQ group. The mRNA expression and specific activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in the liver were not affected by dietary CoQ10 or type of CoQ10. However, hepatic lipid peroxidation in the ECoQ group was lower (P<0.05) than in the CON group. In conclusion, emulsified CoQ10 increased blood TAP and decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation without affecting antioxidant enzymes, suggesting that emulsified CoQ10 might be more applicable as an active antioxidant supplement than powdered type in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.183-189
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• 2003

This study was carried out to evaluate effect of dietary green tea by-products (GTB) on laying performance and quality of eggs in hens. A total of 96 laying hens (22-week-old) "Tetran Brown" were allotted to four dietary treatments, which containing 0, 2, 4 and 6% green tea-by products. The results showed that the egg production increased (P＜0.05) in layers fed diets containing 4% or 6% green tea-by products compared to the layers fed control no GTB. Egg weight and egg mass in layers fed diets containing 2% green tea by-products significantly decreased compared to those in the other groups (P<0.05). The feed intake was lower in layers fed diets containing 2% and 6% green tea by-products. The feed conversion ratio was lower (P<0.05) in layers fed diets containing 4% or 6% green tea by-product supplementation respectively. The egg shell thickness was no significantly different between layers fed the control and green tea by-product diets (P>0.05). The egg yolk cholesterol tended to decrease when layers fed diets containing green tea by-products, although the differences were not significant (P＞0.05). The linolenic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid contents in egg yolk significantly increased in layers fed diets containing different levels green tea by-products compared to those fed control diet (P<0.05). These results suggest that inclusion of green tea by-products in layer diets is suitable for hens without negative effects on egg composition.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate animal welfare approved farms in three housing systems (open, windowless, and free-range). The survey was conducted in 25 animal welfare approved farms, and 10 farms were surveyed for distribution status. The main breed in all animal welfare approved farms of laying hens was Hy-Line Brown variety. In the case of open house, laying hens were bred in traditional and panel houses simultaneously; however, the ratio of panel house was 58.3%, which was higher than that of the traditional house. All the windowless houses were made of panels and more than 15,000 laying hens were housed in a single windowless house. In the case of free-range house, it was maintained on a small scale of less than 12,000 birds. Fifty-six percent of the surveyed farms were breeding at $7{\sim}8birds/m^2$. In terms of male and female ratios, most farms maintained 1 male:15 females, but there was a farmhouse that switched 17 or 20 females to 1 male. The daily dietary allowance was 110~170 g, and 32% of the surveyed farms provided feed of more than 150 g/day, which showed that forage feed was important. The age of at the first egg was 123 days, 122 days, and 120 days, and the peak percent was 91.8%, 94.9%, and 86.5% in open, windowless and free-range houses, respectively. The average egg production rate was 74.0%, 84.6%, and 72.7% in open, windowless, and free-range houses respectively, thus, there was no correlation between feed intake and hen-housed eggs. Distribution of welfare certified eggs was mainly a direct deal with the consumer or through contract production. The ratio of direct transactions between large-scale marts and eco-friendly specialty stores of welfare approved eggs was higher than that of conventional eggs. The rate of contract sales of eggs in both the barn and free-range systems was high, and the percentage of courier sales farms was also high. Excluding courier services, price of eggs in the barn system rose to more than 30 won/egg in the second half of 2017 (after AI). Price of eggs in the free-range system rose to more than 50 won/egg in the second half of 2017 (after AI). In the case of courier sales, the same price of 500 won was maintained before and after AI. In conclusion, the results of this study can be used as basic data for improving the animal welfare certification system for laying hens in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.143-147
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• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of the Flammulina veluipes media by-product(FMB) in laying hens(Hy-Line Brown). A total of three hundreds sixty were fed corn-soy based experimental diets containing 0(control), 5.0(T1), and $10\%(T2)$ FMB for 12 weeks. There were no significant differences among the treatments in egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion and viability during the experimental period. Feed intake was significantly(P<0.05) lowered in control(120.5g) than 72(123.9g). There were no significant differences among the treatments eggshell breaking strength, thickness and haugh unit, whereas the yolk color of T1 and T2 were significantly love. than control(p<0.05). In conclusion, the FMB can be used as resource of feed in laying hen feed at $5.0\%$ level without effect on performance and egg qualify. However, dietary pigments must be added when the FMB was used as a feed ingredients more than $10\%$ in diets.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary natural mineral liquid complex on egg production and characteristics in laying hens. A total of two hundreds fifty two, 63-weeks-old, Hy-line brown commercial layers were used for 6 weeks. Seven dietary treatments included CON (Control), C1-M0.25 (CON diet+1% chitosan+0.25% natural mineral complex), C1-M0.5 (CON diet+1% chitosan+0.50% natural mineral complex), C2-M0.25 (CON diet+2% chitosan+0.25% natural mineral complex), C2-M0.50 (CON diet+2% chitosan+0.50% natural mineral complex), C3-M0.25 (CON diet+ 3% chitosan+0.25% natural mineral complex) and C3-M0.50 (CON diet+3% chitosan+0.50% natural mineral complex). For overall period, egg production, egg shall breaking strength, haugh unit, K and Fe concentrations of blood and Fe concentration of yolk were improved in additive natural mineral treatments compared to control treatment(P<0.05). K and Fe concentrations of blood and Fe concentration of yolk were increased in added 0.5% mineral treatment compared to added 0.25% mineral treatment(P<0.05). Additive 3% chitosan + 0.5% mineral treatments were improved on egg Production and egg shall breaking strength in laying hens(P<0.05). In conclusion, chitosan and natural mineral complex supplementation in lay hens diet improved egg oduction, egg all strength and mineral concentrations of blood and yolk.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mineral and vitamin-enhanced supplementation on egg production, egg quality and concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in serum of spent laying hens. A total of 240 (72-wk-old) Hyline brown commercial hens were used in the current trial for 4 weeks. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (basal diet), 2) ESS1 (basal diet + Egg shell strengthen 0.1%), 3) ESS2 (basal diet + Egg shell strengthen 0.2%) and 4) FESS (basal diet + Fe egg shell strengthen 0.2%). During the overall period, egg production was increased in CON and ESS2 treatments compared with ESS1 treatment (P<0.05). Egg shell breaking strength and final egg shell thickness were significantly higher in ESS2 treatment than CON and FESS treatments (P<0.05). Egg yolk color index was significantly lower in ESS1 treatment than other treatments (P<0.05). Moreover, Haugh unit was significantly lower in ESS1 and FESS treatments than CON treatment (P<0.05). Mineral- and vitaminenhanced supplementation did not affect either egg shell color or calcium and phosphorus concentration in serum. In conclusion, mineral- and vitamin- enhanced supplementations of laying hens diet are helpful in improving egg shell breaking strength and thickness by supplementation of Egg shell strengthener 0.2%.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of spider-derived protease [Arazyme (AZ)] supplementation on egg production, egg quality, cecal microflora and viscosity of intestinal contents in laying hens at the late production. A total of two hundred, 59-wks-old, Hy-Line Brown layers were divided into four groups, placed into 5 replicates per group (50 birds per group) and fed one of four diets containing 0.05, 0.075 or 0.1% AZ or control for 5 wks. The results showed that egg weight in group fed the diet containing 0.05% AZ was significantly higher than those of other groups (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in egg interior and eggshell qualities among the groups. The serum parameters such as total cholesterol, the levels of GOT and GPT were not influenced by AZ feeding. There were no significant differences in the cecal number of total microbes, Coliforms and lactic acid bacteria among the groups. The viscosity and ammonia concentration of intestinal contents in the groups fed AZ were significantly reduced compared to those of the control (P<0.05). In conclusion, laying hens fed AZ supplemented diet improved egg weight as compared with that of control. In addition, the AZ supplemented diet reduced the viscosity and ammonia concentration of intestinal contents, reflecting a significant feed enzyme effect.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.303-311
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Cu-methionine chelate(Cu-Met) and Cu-soy proteinate(Cu-SP) on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens. A total of 960 Hy-line $Brown^{(R)}$ laying hens of 39 wks old were assigned to one of the following 6 dietary treatment: control(C), antibiotic(Avilamycine 6 ppm), Cu-Met 50 and Cu-Met 100(50 and 100 ppm Cu as Cu-methionine chelate), Cu-SP 50 and Cu-SP 100(50 and 100ppm Cu as Cu-soy proteinate). Each treatment was replicated 4 times with forty birds per replication, housed in 2 birds per cages. Forty birds units were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 6 wks under 16 hours lighting regimen. Hen-day and hen-house egg production of groups treated with Antibiotic and Cu supplements tended to be higher than the control with significant difference (P<0.05) shown between Cu-Me 100 and control. Egg weight was significantly (P<0.05) heavier in antibiotic and Cu-SP treatments than Cu-Met treatments but they were not significantly different from the control. Eggshell strength, egg shell thickness, egg yolk color and Haugh unit were not significantly different among treatments. There were no significant differences in leukocytes and erythrocytes in the chicken blood. But mean corpuscular hemoglobin value(MCH) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Cu-SP 100 than antibiotic treatment. The concentrations of serum IgG and IgA were not significantly different among treatments. Copper concentration in the liver tended to increase as the level of copper supplementation increased, that of Cu-SP 100 being significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the control and antibiotic treatment. Concentrations of iron and zinc of the liver were not significantly influenced by treatments. Populations of Cl. perfringens and Lactobacilli in the small intestinal content were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by treatments. Population of Cl. perfringens decreased and that of Lactobacilli increased in the copper supplemented groups. The result of this experiment showed that Cu-Met and Cu-SP are comparable to antibiotic in improving egg production in laying hens. Birds fed diets supplemented with Cu-SP produced heavier eggs than those fed diets with Cu-Met. There were no significant differences in the performances between 50 ppm and 100 ppm copper supplementation as organic forms.