The effects of kale (Brassica oleracea ssp. acephala), basil (Ocimum basilicum) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) as forage material in organic egg production on egg quality

Effect of botanical composition of free-range areas on production results and selected meat quality parameters of organic Yellowleg Partridge chickens

The aim of the conducted research was to assess the impact of the botanical composition of free-range areas on the production results and selected quality parameters of the meat of fattening chickens of the Polish Yellowleg Partridge (Ż-33) breed in organic farming. Three hundred mixed-sex Ż-33 chicks were assigned to three groups: RP1 – free-range area with natural meadow vegetation, RP2 – free-range area sown with a mixture of plants containing ingredients stimulating growth, RP3 – free-range area sown with a mixture of plants rich in carotene. During the experiment, the production results (the weight of the birds, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio per g of weight gain, and mortality) were monitored. Observations were also performed on the behaviour in the free-range areas. On the 140th day of the experiment, a simplified slaughter analysis was carried out, the meat pH was measured, the colour of the muscles was also determined, as well as the water holding capacity and drip loss of the meat. In the meat samples, the content of nutrients and fatty acids was determined, and the peroxidizability index (PI) was calculated. Birds feeding in the RP2 free-range areas were characterised by higher body weight, better feed conversion, and higher dressing percentage compared to birds having access to the RP1 and RP3 free-range areas. On the other hand, the RP3 group Ż-33 chickens were characterised by a higher share of leg muscles and a tendency towards lower fat content in the carcass. It was also found that the meat of birds from the RP2 and RP3 groups was characterised by a higher pH24 compared to Ż-33 chickens from the RP1 group. Access to the RP2 free-range area modified the fatty acid profile, mainly in the leg muscles, reducing the palmitic acid and MUFA content and increasing the PUFA content. It can therefore be assumed that the plant species sown in the RP2 free-range area positively influenced the production results and the quality of the meat of fattening chickens feeding on them. It is therefore appropriate to carry out further studies on the type of vegetation sown in free-range areas in order to improve the efficiency and quality of the meat of organic fattening chickens.

Dual-Purpose Poultry in Organic Egg Production and Effects on Egg Quality Parameters

Egg laying genotypes have been selected for generations due to their high yield and egg quality, resulting in efficient feed utilization and low body weight; hence, they are not suitable for meat production. This imposes an issue for the male layer chicks, which are killed at one day old. Because of ethical and food waste concerns, the search for suitable dual-purpose genotypes in order to avoid euthanasia of male day-old chicks has intensified. The aim of the present study is to evaluate potential dual-purpose genotypes for their egg quality compared to a representative egg laying genotype. Two dual-purpose genotypes with divergent characteristics were evaluated: genotype A represented an experimental crossbreed based on a broiler type male and an egg layer female, and genotype C was a crossbreed of a layer type. These were compared to a rustic genotype B and a control genotype D, which was an egg layer. Eggs were collected six times during the period of 21–54 weeks of hen age, i.e., a total of 990 shell eggs were analyzed. Examined parameters were weights of egg, shell, yolk, and albumen, by calculating their relative proportions. Shell quality was assessed by shell strength, shell stiffness, and shell thickness. Yolk quality was determined as yolk color and inclusions of blood and meat spots, and albumen quality was evaluated in terms of pH and dry matter (DM) content. The egg layer genotype produced the smallest eggs with least blood and meat spot inclusions compared to that produced by the three dual-purpose genotypes. Shell quality was superior for the layer genotype. However, the experimental genotype A laid eggs of comparable shell quality, albumen DM, and yolk weight, but also with the darkest and most red-yellow colored yolk. The two other dual-purpose genotypes produced eggs of low-medium quality. In conclusion, the genotype A could serve as dual-purpose genotype from an egg quality perspective.

Plant Carotenoids as Pigment Sources in Laying Hen Diets: Effect on Yolk Color, Carotenoid Content, Oxidative Stability and Sensory Properties of Eggs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a supplementation diet for hens consisting of dried basil herb and flowers of calendula and dandelion for color, carotenoid content, iron-induced oxidative stability, and sensory properties of egg yolk compared with commercial pigment (control) and marigold flower. The plant parts were supplemented in diets at two levels: 1% and 3%. In response to dietary content, yolks from all diets differed in carotenoid profile (p < 0.001). The 3% supplementation level resulted in a similar total carotenoid content as the control (21.25 vs. 21.79 μg/g), but by 3-fold lower compared to the 3% marigold (66.95 μg/g). The tested plants did not achieve yolk color fan values as the control (13.47) or 3% marigold (11.47), and among them, calendula had the highest values (9.73). Despite the low carotenoid content in diets supplemented with basil herb, iron-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was low as for marigold (on average 106.83 vs. 92.68 ng/g after 250 min). The treatments differed in sensory color scores for fresh and hard-boiled yolks and flavor while other sensory properties were similar. In conclusion, the supplementation of plants in a hen diet may result in yolks containing carotenoids and other compounds showing a high antioxidant effect.

Effects of feeding diets with processed Moringa oleifera stem meal on growth and laying performance, and immunological and antioxidant activities in laying ducks

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera stem (MOS) meal in ducks. A total of 225 ducklings at 1 D of age were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatment groups with 3 replicates of 25 each. The growth experiment lasted 63 D . The egg experiment started from 23 to 27 wk of age. Ducks were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups with 3 replications of 15 each. The following dietary treatments were applied: 1) Control (CON), basal diet + 0% MOS meal; 2) basal diet + 2% MOS meal; 3) basal diet + 4% MOS meal. During 0 to 4 wk of age, ducks fed 2% MOS diet showed significantly increase in average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG; P < 0.05) and ducks fed 4% MOS diet had a significant improvement in feed conversion rate (FCR; P < 0.05). However, ADFI, ADG, and FCR were not affected significantly during 5 to 9 wk of age (P > 0.05). In egg production experiment, ADFI, average egg weight, laying rate, and FCR showed significant increase in 4% MOS diets (P < 0.05). Laying ducks fed 4% MOS diet had a higher egg shape index, whereas a lower yolk color compared with CON (P < 0.05). The proportion of broken shell eggs were zero in experimental diets, whereas 3% of which occurred in CON (P < 0.05). However, no significant effects in proportion of soft shell eggs, proportion of abnormal-shape eggs, albumen height, haugh unit, and eggshell thickness were observed among all treatments (P > 0.05). For serum biochemical parameters, total protein and albumin were increased in MOS diets during 0 to 4 wk of age, but decreased during 5 to 9 wk of age. For serum antioxidant index, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase values were increased whereas malondialdehyde values were decreased in MOS diets from 0 to 9 wk of age. The results suggest that MOS positively affects early growth performance and laying performane of duckling but partially affects egg quality. The antioxidative activity and immunological index may be improved.

Diet supplementation with a specific melon concentrate improves oviduct antioxidant defenses and egg characteristics in laying hens

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of a specific melon concentrate on oviduct antioxidant defenses and egg characteristics of laying hens.Lohmann Brown hens were assigned to 2 treatment groups (n = 16 in each). One group was supplemented with the melon concentrate (26 mg/kg of feed) during 6 wk. The other group was composed of untreated hens, which served as control. Eggs were collected, weighed (yolk, albumen, shell), and analyzed (Haugh unit and albumen pH relevant for egg freshness) at the end of the supplementation period. Antioxidant status was evaluated in the oviduct measuring antioxidant enzymes by western blotting.This study demonstrated that the melon concentrate could ameliorate egg weight, and particularly yolk contribution to egg weight and egg shell weight. An increase in endogenous antioxidant defenses in the oviduct after this melon concentrate supplementation could explain the better egg characteristics. The improvement of egg quality, due to melon concentrate, may have important economic implications for future breeding programs, particularly if these effects generalize from hens to other poultry species, or even other livestock animal species.