Egg Production in Future: Focus on Phytogenics

Challenges in egg production

Within the last decades, production performances of modern commercial laying hens have improved considerably, including an increase in egg production, a reduction in feed conversion and increased livability. Various factors, such as genetics, housing, vaccination, lighting, nutrition, moulting, ambient temperature and processing, may affect the productivity in egg production (Alodan and Mashaly, 1999; Amerah et al., 2007; Franco-Jimenez et al., 2007; Singh et al., 2009). Among these factors, optimal feeding strategies are mandatory to meet the huge metabolic demand of modern laying hens. Undoubtedly, the requirement for energy, nutrients, trace minerals and vitamins of these high-performing birds must be met by implementation of adequate feed formulations adapted to the birds’ requirement as closely as possible.

Furthermore, a fundamental objective in feeding the modern laying hen is to keep its digestive tract healthy, thereby maintaining functionality on a high and efficient level. Adequate energy intake and utilization is a prerequisite to maintain production on a high level throughout the laying cycle. Hence, most egg producers are looking for strategies to optimize feed efficiency of their flocks.

Intestinal health as precondition for performance

In the life cycle of layers two periods are particularly critical in terms of intestinal health. Already in the early rearing phase (4 to 6 weeks of age) the foundation for subsequent performance is laid. In this stage, feeding programs should aim at an optimum body weight development in order to guarantee high laying rates in connection with optimum egg quality. Furthermore, the time between beginning and peak of lay is important because in this period, nutrients must be supplied for basic metabolic activities, as well as for increasing egg production and further accretion of body weight. Optimum usage of dietary nutrients is therefore necessary, with the functionality and health of the digestive tract having a major impact.

Phytogenic feed additives as precursor for intestinal health

It has been shown that performance of laying hens can be promoted substantially through optimizing intestinal health. As such, phytogenic substances have proven efficacious. Phytogenic feed additives are mostly based on herbs or plant extracts, such as thyme, oregano, anise or garlic, all having a beneficial effect on digestion and gut microflora.

In the majority of controlled experiments a substantial improvement in feed efficiency (feed/egg mass) at unchanged or enhanced egg production was obtained when layer diets were supplemented with phytogenics. In addition, improvements in egg shell quality and breaking strength were reported. Furthermore, increased oxidative stability was determined in eggs – or in other words: eggs had an extended shelf life, which would be interesting particularly for the processing industry. This effect is due to the presence of substances with antioxidative activities, which are found in numerous plant extracts.

The efficacy of phytogenic additives largely depends on their composition and dosage in the feed. Only a standardized composition can guarantee high and steady effectiveness. Over-dosing usually does not bring additional benefits, but only creates an additional cost. Therefore, producers should adhere to dosing recommendations provided by the manufacturers.

Recent trials carried out with a standardized phytogenic additive (Biomin^® P.E.P.) confirm the potential of these substances in laying hen nutrition. Table 1 shows the performance results of a University trial with Hy-Line layers (6 replicates per treatment with of 6 cages per replicate and 5 layers per cage) (University of Novi Sad, Serbia). Figure 1 highlights the feed conversion per week. Egg quality parameters were slightly different in both treatments (Table 2). Especially shell thickness and Haugh Unit rating revealed higher values hens fed phytogenics as the birds grew older. Moreover, eggs were slightly and significantly heavier in these hens, as indicated by a higher number (29.5 vs. 23.1%) of heavier (L) eggs, particularly towards the end of the trial.

Table 1: Production performance of laying hens fed diets with or without a phytogenic feed additive (Biomin^® P.E.P., 125 g/t) (University of Novi Sad)

^a,b Significant difference between groups (P < 0.05)

Figure 1: Feed conversion ratio (FCR) (University of Novi Sad)

Table 2: Egg quality parameters (28 weeks of age) of laying hens fed diets with or without a phytogenic feed additive (Biomin^® P.E.P., 125 g/t) (University of Novi Sad)

¹ Shell cleanness was evaluated by scoring system on a scale from 1 (very dirty shell) to 5 (completely clean).
² Egg breaking force (kg) was measured by equipment by Rauch.
³ Egg yolk color was determined according to Roche yolk color fan.

Additional trials investigating the effects of phytogenic supplementation in the later stages of the laying cycle will provide further information on the efficacy of these additives in older hens.

• Phytogenic feed additives have potential to improve production results in laying hens.
• Their main benefit is an improvement in feed conversion at unchanged or increased egg production.
• A recent trial confirms that supplementation of layer feed with the phytogenic feed additive Biomin^® P.E.P. results in improved performances and egg traits, hence may positively affect egg production.