Effect of Biscuit Flour and Fermented Defatted “Alperujo” Co-Administration on Intestinal Mucosa Morphology and Productive Performance in Laying Hens

Abstract

In this study, the effects of co-administration with biscuit flour and fermented defatted “alperujo” (FDA) on gut health were evaluated in a batch of laying hens (Hy-Line 2015) on a commercial farm. Animals were divided into two groups: control group and treatment group; and histological and morphometric analyses of all sections of the intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and rectum) were performed at 10, 18, 25, 50 and 75 weeks of age. During the whole productive period, a decrease in the mortality rate (p = 0.01) was observed in treated hens, as well as an increase in the number of eggs produced (p < 0.001), their size (p < 0.025), and weight (p < 0.024). In the early and late stages of production (10, 18 and 50 weeks), a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the height and depth of the intestinal villi was observed in the treatment group. Villi height was also significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the treatment group up to week 50 in the cecum, and at weeks 18 and 50 in the rectum. We concluded that an economical and sustainable feeding system with less environmental impact, such as co-supplementation with biscuit flour and FDA, could maintain gut health without negatively impacting laying hens’ productive performance.

Dietary 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol Supplementation as a Vitamin D3 Substitute Improves Performance, Egg Quality, Blood Indexes, Jejunal Morphology, and Tibia Quality in Late-Phase Laying Hens

“…This is in agreement with previous reports, which showed that dietary 25-OHD 3 improved the expression of intestinal barrier-related genes, thus improving intestinal integrity [ 40 ]. In one study with aged laying hens, combined treatment of biscuit meal and a by-product of modified olive oil maintained intestinal morphology, improved digestive function, and increased egg production, thus counteracting the adverse effects of age on intestine morphology [ 46 ]. Therefore, we deduce that compared with VD 3 , 25-OHD 3 may improve performance, egg quality, circulation of hormones, and mineral contents via an enhancement effect on intestinal morphology for better nutrient utilization.…”