Does the Type of Cereal Grain in the Diet Influence Egg Quantity and Quality Measures of Laying Hens Without the Use of Carbohydrases?

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 Department of Animal Science, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Science, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

An experiment was performed to evaluate the influence of the type of dietary cereal grains, in the absence of carbohydrases, on egg quantity and quality measures of laying hens. A number of 72 laying hens (Hy-Line W80) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (corn, wheat, and barley diets). Hens (81 weeks of age) were beginning their second laying cycle after a non-fasted molting practice. The duration of the experiment covered 81 to 90 weeks of age. Results indicated that egg production and egg mass were superior in hens that received corn and wheat when compared to hens fed with barley. Such a difference was significant (P < 0.05) in weeks 8 and 9. Egg weight was not affected by the type of cereal grain. Feeding barley caused a poor feed conversion ratio (FCR) as opposed to feeding corn or wheat, which significantly differed in weeks 4, 8, and 9. The egg yolk color index was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in hens on the corn diet than those on the wheat or barley diets. Feeding hens with barley worsened body weight uniformity in comparison with feeding corn or wheat. Hens on the wheat diet exhibited a greater concentration of hemoglobin relative to the corn or the barley diet (P < 0.05). The plasma content of total cholesterol was higher in hens fed with corn than hens consumed wheat or barley (P < 0.05). The type of cereal grain did not significantly affect eggshell thickness. In conclusion, the type of cereal grain compromised productive performance without any significant effect on eggshell quality measures when no carbohydrase enzyme was supplemented.

Keywords

References

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Poultry Science Journal
Volume 13, Issue 2
June 2025
Pages 253-260

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