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ContextProbiotics have potential to improve health of laying hens, thus improving the overall quality of eggs. AimsA study was conducted to evaluate the use of probiotics containing Lactobacillus species to improve egg quality and serum biochemistry, and to lower the concentration of sulfur-containing gas compounds from poultry manure. MethodsNinety-six White Leghorn W-36 laying hens (32 weeks old) were randomly assigned to two feeding treatments: Control and Control + Probiotics. A combination of probiotics (Lactobacillus paracasei, L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus totalling 1 × 1012 CFU/kg feed) was provided for 8 weeks. At Weeks 0, 4 and 8, eggs were analysed for weight, shell thickness, albumen height and Haugh unit. Faecal matter was analysed for total sulfur, sulfate-sulfur and 20 reduced sulfur compounds. Blood serum was analysed for amylase, calcium, phosphate, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Key resultsNo significant differences were observed between the two treatments for any of the parameters. Five sulfide gases were detected in manure: hydrogen sulfide (H2S), dimethyl sulfide (CH3)2S, methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), carbonyl sulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS2). Ratios of various detectable gases were computed. Trends for ratios H2S:(CH3)2S, H2S:CS2, and H2S:COS from manure for both treatments were >1, whereas the ratios H2S:CH3SH and (CH3)2S:CH3SH were <1. ConclusionOverall, probiotics did not enhance production, egg quality or the serum profile. ImplicationsPossibly, the concentration of probiotics was too high, limiting bacterial colonisation and beneficial effects.

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BackgroundHorticultural byproducts may be used to partially or completely replace more expensive soy and corn while providing adequate energy and protein for broilers and laying hens. Probiotics, such as lactic acid bacteria, may aid in digestion of fibrous byproducts such as sunflower seed meal containing complex carbohydrates that along with some amino acids may not be easily digested by monogastric animals. Thus, byproducts and probiotics, when fed to poultry, may improve the production of nutritious meat and eggs. ResultsWhite Leghorn Crosses (64 layers at 65- to 74-wk-old) were fed one of four diets for four weeks. Diets were (1) a corn/soy Control, (2) Control + 20% sunflower seed meal (SFM), (3) Control + Probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum, rhamnosus, and paracasei - each at > 23.3 Mil CFU/g for a total of approximately 70,000,000 Mil CFU/g added in drinking water), and (4) Control + 20% SFM + Probiotics. Significance (P < 0.05) and trends (P < 0.10) were determined for production measurements as well as external and internal egg quality parameters. Diet did not significantly affect production measurements. There were trends due to Probiotics*Week for FCR and SFM*Probiotics*Week for feed intake. For external egg quality, SFM significantly increased egg weight, decreased specific gravity, and caused a downward trend for egg shell thickness. SFM*Week produced a significant effect on specific gravity. Probiotics significantly increased egg weight and egg shell weight while decreasing egg shell thickness; there was a trend due to temporal effects on specific gravity. For internal egg quality, SFM, SFM*Week, Week, and SFM*Probiotics*Week significantly affected yolk color. Week affected all internal measurements and SFM*Week caused weekly fluctuations, thereby producing a trend for Haugh unit. ConclusionsDiet had no effect on production measurements. SFM increased egg weight and decreased specific gravity; Probiotics increased egg weight, shell weight, and shell thickness. Future research in needed to assess production and egg quality parameters when feeding various fiber types, the digestibility of SFM/Probiotic diets, and colonization of varying quantities of probiotics (added in water and feed) in the gut of various types and ages of laying hens.

ContextProbiotics have potential to improve health of laying hens, thus improving the overall quality of eggs. AimsA study was conducted to evaluate the use of probiotics containing Lactobacillus species to improve egg quality and serum biochemistry, and to lower the concentration of sulfur-containing gas compounds from poultry manure. MethodsNinety-six White Leghorn W-36 laying hens (32 weeks old) were randomly assigned to two feeding treatments: Control and Control + Probiotics. A combination of probiotics (Lactobacillus paracasei, L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus totalling 1 × 1012 CFU/kg feed) was provided for 8 weeks. At Weeks 0, 4 and 8, eggs were analysed for weight, shell thickness, albumen height and Haugh unit. Faecal matter was analysed for total sulfur, sulfate-sulfur and 20 reduced sulfur compounds. Blood serum was analysed for amylase, calcium, phosphate, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Key resultsNo significant differences were observed between the two treatments for any of the parameters. Five sulfide gases were detected in manure: hydrogen sulfide (H2S), dimethyl sulfide (CH3)2S, methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), carbonyl sulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS2). Ratios of various detectable gases were computed. Trends for ratios H2S:(CH3)2S, H2S:CS2, and H2S:COS from manure for both treatments were &gt;1, whereas the ratios H2S:CH3SH and (CH3)2S:CH3SH were ConclusionOverall, probiotics did not enhance production, egg quality or the serum profile. ImplicationsPossibly, the concentration of probiotics was too high, limiting bacterial colonisation and beneficial effects.