Egg Industry - October 2009

✔Pullets were housed in cages through 17 weeks of age and were evaluated during a 40- week production cycle. Hot blade trimming allowed three levels of reduction in beak length (14%, 31% and 39% shorter than controls) when evaluated at 38 weeks of age.

The infrared treatment resulted in beaks that were 30% to 36% shorter than the control. Body weight was reduced for hens subjected to hot blade trimming at the most severe level at both 20 and 38 weeks but the effect was absent at 60 weeks of age. The important observation was that hen-day egg production was not affected by any of the methods of beak trim. In contrast mortality was increased due to cannibalism in the control hens. Feed intake was decreased proportionally to the severity of beak trim but without affecting egg quality parameters.

Composition in Eggs from Hens Housed in Cage vs. Range Production Facilities

Dr. Ken Anderson evaluated the validity of the public perception concerning the presumed superior nutrient qualities of range eggs in product derived from the NC Random Sample Test. Egg pools were sent to four laboratories to determine cholesterol, omega- 3 fatty acids, saturated fat, beta carotene, Vitamin A

min A nor vitamin E level was affected by housing system but both treatments showed a decline at 62 weeks of age.

Beak treatment

Article 172 – Effects of Degree of Beak Trimming on the Performance of White Leghorn Hens

The effects of beak treatment on performance of Lohmann LSL and Shaver

To learn how the egg and its production has evolved
visit www.WattAgNet.com/10807.html

and Vitamin E. Total fat content in samples varied from a high of 8.9% to low of 6.8%. Eggs from range production had higher total fat, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat than eggs produced by caged hens. The omega- 3 levels were stated to be 0.17% in range eggs compared to 0.14% in caged eggs. There was no impact on cholesterol with values of 327 and 331 mg/100 g for caged and ranged hens respectively. Neither vita-

hens were evaluated by scientist of the University of Saskatchewan.

Treatments included the following:

✔Day old infrared beak trim at two intensities,

✔Day old hot-blade beak trim using appropriate templates for either Bovans or CV- 20 strains. Degree of trim ranged from mild through moderate to severe.

✔A non-treated group served as the control

Article 171 – Effects of Degree of Beak Trimming on the Behavior and Feather Condition of White Leghorn Hens

In a related presentation the Sas-

SEE THE DIFFERENCE WITH ORIGINAL XPCTM

The performance demands of today’s layers require more attention to detail. As you fine-tune your feeding program, remember intestinal function is the key to bird productivity and profitability. Better digestive health means:

Enhanced Production

Reduced Mortality

Improved Feed Efficiency

» » »

Original XPC™, a nutritional solution from Diamond V, can play a critical role in maximizing intestinal function. With more than 65 years of research and fermentation expertise, our proprietary DiaMatrix Technology™ ensures consistent delivery of nutritional metabolites to maximize animal performance and profitability.