Reproductive performance of layer chickens reared on deep litter system with or without access to grass or legume pasture

Abstract

Despite several studies carried out to investigate the effects of access to pasture on poultry performance, there is a dearth of information on the comparative benefit of grass and legumes. This study investigated the effects of rearing systems [deep litter system (DL), deep litter with access to legumes (LP) or grass (GP) pastures] on the performance of ISA Brown layers. Two hundred and forty 12-week-old pullets were housed for this study. They were reared until 60 weeks of age. Eighty birds were assigned to each treatment; each treatment had four replicates of 20 birds each. Two birds per replicate were slaughtered at weeks 20, 35 and 58 for determination of the weights of liver, ovary, oviduct and the number of follicles. Daily egg production records were kept from the day of first egg to 42 weeks in lay. Body weights were recorded weekly. Results indicated that at 20 weeks of age, the hens kept in the LP had higher (p < 0.05) ovary weight (g) (34.98 ± 1.4), oviduct weight (52.55 ± 2.28) and oviduct length (cm) (49.73 ± 11.34), and higher number of large yellow follicles (3.75 ± 1.31) and small yellow follicles (12.75 ± 5.17) than those in the GP (0.83 ± 0.02, 1.68 ± 0.19, 16.38 ± 1.14, 0.00 and 0.00), and DL (1.03 ± 0.11, 1.48 ± 0.48, 14.43 ± 0.58, 0.00 and 0.00) respectively. The age (days) at first oviposition was earlier (p < 0.05) in the LP (139.25 ± 0.85) than that in the GP (146.75 ± 0.48) and DL (146.75 ± 0.48). The hen-day egg production was lower (p < 0.05) in GP (74.19 ± 1.25) than that in the DL (78.82 ± 0.78) and LP (79.93 ± 1.13) at mid-laying phase. Concentrate feed intake was lower (p < 0.05) in LP and GP than DL suggesting economic benefit. It was concluded that access to LP enhanced the performance of layers than DL and GP as indicated by the parameters measured.

Effects of Supplementing Laying Hens with Purified Amino Acid Prepared from Animal Blood

“…Albumen is an important determining factor for internal egg quality. A higher albumen height and Haugh unit indicates better egg quality (Şekeroǧlu & Altuntaş, 2009;Oke et al, 2014). The albumen height and Haugh unit determines the viscosity of the thick albumen (Hanusova et al, 2015).…”

Physical-Chemical Characteristics of Designer and Conventional Eggs

“…Kralik et al (2017) state that HU values range between 70.36 and 71.33, which are lower compared with the results obtained in the present study (80.81 and 83.99 for conventional and designer eggs, respectively). Oke et al (2014) found that eggs produced in different rearing systems presented 66.86-71.41 HU, with higher values obtained in younger than in older layer flocks. Hanusova et al (2015) point out that the internal quality of eggs depends on their freshness and, therefore, it is the best to consume eggs immediately after lay.…”

Evaluation of access to different legume pastures on performance and welfare of broiler chickens during dry season under tropical environment

“…Also, weather elements, such as extreme temperatures, light intensity and photoperiod, are uncontrollable in pastured poultry (Fanatico et al, 2005;Wang et al, 2009). Our previous studies (Oke et al, 2016) indicated that the performance of laying hens on legume pasture (Stylosanthes hamata) was better than grass pasture (Cynodon dactylon). Additionally, Ponte et al (2008) indicated that pasture intake improved the performance of broiler chickens.…”

“…Poultry performance is influenced by the environment (Oke et al., 2016). Essentially, housing systems are necessary to protect birds from rain, physical hazards and extreme cold and heat (Panda, 1985).…”