Open AccessCoarse corn particles cause a negative effect on eggshell quality of semi-heavy laying hens
Author(s) -
V. R. de Oliveira,
Alex Martins Varela de Arruda,
A. S. Melo,
Davyd Herik Souza,
João Batista Freire de Souza,
Raimunda Thyciana Vasconcelos Fernandes,
João Paulo Araújo Fernandes de Queiroz
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 2405-6545
pISSN - 2405-6383
DOI - 10.1016/j.aninu.2019.03.002
Subject(s) - eggshell , yolk , laying , zoology , context (archaeology) , feed conversion ratio , biology , body weight , animal feed , nutrient , food science , chemistry , ecology , paleontology , physics , astronomy , endocrinology
One of the possible ways to optimize the productive performance of poultry is through the physical processing of ingredients, which can improve the use of nutrients in these animals. In this context, this study was to evaluate the effects of different corn particle sizes in diets on the productive performance and egg quality of semi-heavy laying hens. Sixty naked neck laying hens were used from 24 weeks of age and distributed in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets in different treatments contained corn grain ground into sieves with a diameter of 2, 4, or 8 mm to provide corn particles with a geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 605 (fine), 1,030 (medium), and 2,280 μm (coarse), respectively. The feed and leftovers were weighed daily throughout the experimental period to determine the feed intake and feed conversion. Different corn particle sizes did not affect any aspect of the productive performance of hens, except for feed intake. Hens fed fine and medium corn particles exhibited higher values for egg yolk color, eggshell weight, and eggshell thickness. It is suggested that semi-heavy laying hens should be fed mash diets containing corn particles with GMD from 605 to 1,030 μm, because coarse corn particles cause a negative effect on eggshell quality.