Increase in lutein and zeaxanthin content in the eggs of hens fed marigold flower extract

Abstract

Marigold flower extract (MFE), a natural source of xanthophylls, was added to the diets of hens at different concentrations (0, 150, 250, and 350 mg/kg of diet) to determine the effects of MFE on hen performance, physical characteristics of egg quality, and carotenoid content of the egg yolk of hens housed in enriched cages. Additionally, the highest dose of MFE (350 mg/kg) was tested under commercial poultry conditions and compared with a feed mixture with added synthetic carotenoids and a control diet without synthetic carotenoids. The highest hen-day egg production (P = 0.005) and egg mass production (P = 0.010) was found in hens fed a diet supplemented with MFE at 150 mg/kg. The performance characteristics, however, were not influenced by MFE under commercial conditions. When the dose of MFE was increased, increased values were observed for DSM Yolk Colour Fan (P < 0.001), redness (P < 0.001), yellowness (P < 0.001), ratio of redness and yellowness (P < 0.001), and decreased for lightness (P = 0.036). In the commercial study, the synthetic carotenoids decreased the value of yellowness (P < 0.001) compared with the control group. The lutein and zeaxanthin content in yolk increased by approximately 11.5 and 5.9 mg/kg dry matter, respectively, after the MFE addition of 350 mg/kg. Supplementation with synthetic carotenoids significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the α-tocopherol content in egg yolk. In conclusion, MFE is a suitable natural alternative for increasing the xanthophyll contents in eggs compared with the commercially used synthetic carotenoids.

Effect of housing system and age of laying hens on eggshell quality, microbial contamination, and penetration of microorganisms into eggs

“…doi: 10.17221/77/2017-CJAS Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The microclimate conditions were in accordance with the laying hen's requirements (Skrivan et al 2015).…”

Eggshell characteristics and cuticle deposition in three laying hen genotypes housed in enriched cages and on litter

“…Lohmann Brown, HyLine Silver Brown, and Isa Brown laying hens at the age of 40-56 weeks were housed in enriched cages (100 hens, 750 cm 2 /hen, 10 hens/cage) and in littered pens (100 hens, 9 hens/m 2 , 10 hens/pen). The environmental conditions were similar to those described by Skrivan et al (2015). Laying hens in both housing systems were fed an identical commercial feed mixture with 15.37% crude protein, 11.58 MJ of metabolizable energy, 3.48% of calcium, and 0.56% of total phosphorous.…”

Differences in oviposition and egg quality of various genotypes of laying hens

“…Before the experiment, all hens had been reared under the same conditions until 16 weeks of age when they were placed into individual cages. Environmental conditions were similar to those described by Skrivan et al (2015). Hens were fed two types of commercial feed mixtures: N1 in weeks 20-56 of age (176 g crude protein, 11.0 MJ of metabolizable energy, and 33.2 g Ca) and N2 from week 57 onward (156 g crude protein, 9.9 MJ of metabolizable energy and 36.8 g Ca).…”