Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > AN > AN24320
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 65(5)

Feed form and probiotic supplementation improve egg production and reduce environmental impact in laying hens

Youssef A. Attia A , Nicola F. Addeo https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3489-6893 B * , Fulvia Bovera https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7201-3060 B , Khalid A. Asiry A , Rashed A. Alhotan C , Gamaleldin M. Suliman C , Mohamed A. Al-Banoby D , Sameer A. Nagadi A and Majed S. Alrefaei A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Sustainable Agriculture research group, Agriculture Department, Faculty of Environmental Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. Email: yaattia@kau.edu.sa, kasiry@kau.edu.sa, snagadi@kau.edu.sa, msalrefaei @skau.edu.sa

B Sustainable Agriculture research group, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1, Napoli 80137, Italy. Email: bovera@unina.it, nicolafrancesco.addeo@unina.it

C Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. Email: ralhotan@ksu.edu.sa, gsuliman@ksu.edu.sa

D Al-Shamel Animal Feed Factory, Industrial Area, Hail 55411, Saudi Arabia. Email: drmdsaidhail@hotmail.com

* Correspondence to: nicolafrancesco.addeo@unina.it

Handling Editor: Reza Barekatain

Animal Production Science 65, AN24320 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN24320
Submitted: 7 October 2024  Accepted: 18 February 2025  Published: 11 March 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Laying hens are influenced by various factors, including diet, which can have a significant impact on egg production and quality, as well as overall animal health.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate egg production and quality, environmental impact, reproductive organs and plasma mineral profiles of laying hens fed diverse forms of feed supplemented or not with a probiotic mixture.

Methods

Ninety-six-week old laying hens were randomly distributed among four groups. The hens were housed in 32 cages (three hens/cage, eight replicates per treatment) during 112–127 weeks of age. The first group was fed a mash diet; and the second group was fed a pelleted diet with a diameter of 3 mm. The third and fourth groups were fed the same diets as for Groups 1 and 2 respectively, but supplemented with a mixture of probiotics (PM) Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis.

Key results

The pelleted diet significantly increased egg weight and mass, and feed intake compared with the mash diet. PM supplementation significantly decreased the number of broken eggs and yolk index compared with the unsupplemented control. Fresh eggs showed a significantly higher egg grade, Haugh unit score, yolk color, and percentage albumen weight than did the stored eggs, but the yolk index and percentage were lower. Pelleting the feed significantly decreased excreta dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and nitrogen (N) outputs. Excreta crude fiber was significantly decreased by PM supplementation compared with the unsupplemented control. The PM supplementation increased the true protein in the mash feed while decreasing it in the pelleted feed. Percentage heart and gizzard were significantly decreased because of feeding pelleted feeds compared with mash one to which PM was integrated. Pelleting significantly increased serum calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and alkaline phosphatase concentrations compared with the mash feed, but decreased serum phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn).

Conclusions

Pelleting laying hen diets improved economic traits and yielded stronger effects than did PM supplementation, decreased excreta dry matter, organic matter, and N pollution, and increased serum Ca and Fe concentrations.

Implications

These results suggest that pelleted diets could be a more effective strategy to improve production efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of poultry.

Keywords: animal health, diet for laying hens, egg quality, feed form, laying hens, probiotics, productive performance, sensory evaluation environmental impact and serum minerals.

References

Amerah AM, Ravindran V, Lentle RG, Thomas DG (2007) Feed particle size: implications on the digestion and performance of poultry. World’s Poultry Science Journal 63(3), 439-455.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Amoozmehr A, Dastar B, Ashayerizadeh O, Mirshekar R, Abdollahi MR (2023) Effect of feed form and nutrient density on growth performance, blood parameters, and intestinal traits in broiler breeder pullets. Poultry Science 102(7), 102700.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

AOAC (2012) ‘Official methods of analysis.’ 19th edn. (Association of Official Analytical Chemists: Washington, DC, USA)

Attia YA, El-Tahawy WS, Abd El-Hamid AE-HE, Nizza A, Bovera F, Al-Harthi MA, El-Kelway I (2014) Effect of feed form, pellet diameter and enzymes supplementation on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler during days 21-37 of age. Archives Animal Breeding 57, 34.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Attia YA, Al-Harthi MA, Abo El-Maaty HAM (2020) Calcium and cholecalciferol levels in late-phase laying hens: effects on productive traits, egg quality, blood biochemistry, and immune responses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 389.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Attia YA, Al-Harthi MA, AL-Sagan AA, Hussein EO, Alhotan RA, Suliman GM, Abdulsalam NM, Olal MJ (2022a) Responses of egg quality sustainability, sensory attributes and lipid profile of eggs and blood to different dietary oil supplementations and storage conditions. Italian Journal of Animal Science 21(1), 1160-1169.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Attia YA, Al-Khalaifah H, Abd El-Hamid HS, Al-Harthi MA, Alyileili SR, El-Shafey AA (2022b) Antioxidant status, blood constituents and immune response of broiler chickens fed two types of diets with or without different concentrations of active yeast. Animals 12(4), 453.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Aviagen W (2014) Ross 308 broiler nutrition specifications. Aviagen Group, Huntsville. Available at http://en.aviagen.com/assets/Tech_Center/Ross_Broiler/Ross-308-Broiler-Nutrition-Specs-2014r17-EN.pdf

Bain MM, Nys Y, Dunn IC (2016) Increasing persistency in lay and stabilising egg quality in longer laying cycles. What are the challenges? British Poultry Science 57(3), 330-338.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Bozkurt M, Gianneııas I, Çabıık M, Tüzin AE (2020) The effect of feed structure on gastrointestinal tract traits and performance in laying hens: an overview of 70 years’ experience. World’s Poultry Science Journal 76(3), 493-516.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Centraal Veevoederbureau (CVB) (2018) CVB Feed Table 2018: Chemical composition and nutritional values of feedstuffs. Federatie Nederlandse Diervoederketen. Available at https://appec-h.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CVB-Feed-Table-2018_Chemical-composition-and-nutritional-values-of-feedstuffs.pdf

Cerrate S, Wang Z, Coto C, Yan F, Waldroup PW (2009) Effect of pellet diameter in broiler starter diets on subsequent performance. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 18(3), 590-597.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Curabay B, Yusuf C, Seyit G (2023) The effect of different probiotic mixtures added to the laying hens diet on performance and egg quality properties. In ‘V. International agricultural, biological & life science conference’, 18–20 September 2023, Edirne, Turkey. (Trakya University)

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) (2015) Scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bacillus subtilis PB6 (Bacillus subtilis) as a feed additive for laying hens and minor poultry species for laying. EFSA Journal 13(1), 3970.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Ege G, Bozkurt M, Koçer B, Tüzün AE, Uygun M, Alkan G (2019) Influence of feed particle size and feed form on productive performance, egg quality, gastrointestinal tract traits, digestive enzymes, intestinal morphology, and nutrient digestibility of laying hens reared in enriched cages. Poultry Science 98(9), 3787-3801.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Hafeez A, Mader A, Röhe I, Ruhnke I, Boroojeni FG, Yousaf MS, Manner K, Zentek J (2015) The effect of milling method, thermal treatment, and particle size of feed on exterior and interior egg quality in laying hens. European Poultry Science 79, 1-11.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Hamilton RMG, Proudfood FG (1995) Effects of ingredient particle size and feed form on the performance of Leghorn hens. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 75(1), 109-114.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Heinsohn Z, Brown A, Sobotik E, House G, Stiewer A, Chaney WE, Kuttappan V, Archer GS (2024) Evaluating the effects of feeding a concentrated Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on the performance and stress susceptibility of broiler chickens. Poultry 3(1), 57-65.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Herrera J, Saldaña B, Guzmán P, Cámara L, Mateos GG (2017) Influence of particle size of the main cereal of the diet on egg production, gastrointestinal tract traits, and body measurements of brown laying hens. Poultry Science 96(2), 440-448.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Inatomi T (2016) Laying performance, immunity and digestive health of layer chickens fed diets containing a combination of three probiotics. Science Postprint 1(2), e00058.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Krysiak K, Konkol D, Korczyński M (2021) Overview of the use of probiotics in poultry production. Animals 11(6), 1620.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Leeson S, Summers JD (2009) ‘Commercial poultry nutrition.’ (Nottingham University Press)

Lei X, Piao X, Ru Y, Zhang H, Peron A, Zhang H (2015) Effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based direct-fed microbial on performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology and cecal microflora in broiler chickens. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 28(2), 239-246.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Leone F, Ferrante V (2023) Effects of prebiotics and precision biotics on performance, animal welfare and environmental impact. A review. Science of the Total Environment 901, 165951.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Liu X, Chen YB, Tang SG, Deng YY, Xiao B, He CQ, Guo SC, Zhou XB, Qu XY (2021) Dietary encapsulated Bacillus subtilis and essential oil supplementation improves reproductive performance and hormone concentrations of broiler breeders during the late laying period. Livestock Science 245, 104422.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Liu L, Xu W, Lu X, Zhong B, Guo Y, Lu X, Zhao Y, He W, Wang S, Zhang X, Liu X, Vitousek P (2022) Exploring global changes in agricultural ammonia emissions and their contribution to nitrogen deposition since 1980. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119(14), e2121998119.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Lohmann Breeders (2020) Lohmann LSL-classic – cage housing. Lohmann Breeder.

Mountzouris KC, Tsirtsikos P, Kalamara E, Nitsch S, Schatzmayr G, Fegeros K (2007) Evaluation of the efficacy of a probiotic containing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, and Pediococcus strains in promoting broiler performance and modulating cecal microflora composition and metabolic activities. Poultry Science 86(2), 309-317.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

National Research Council (1994) ‘Nutrient requirement of poultry.’ (National Academies Press)

Neijat M, Shirley RB, Barton J, Thiery P, Welsher A, Kiarie E (2019) Effect of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis DSM29784 on hen performance, egg quality indices, and apparent retention of dietary components in laying hens from 19 to 48 weeks of age. Poultry Science 98(11), 5622-5635.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Patterson JA, Burkholder KM (2003) Application of prebiotics and probiotics in poultry production. Poultry Science 82(4), 627-631.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Ren H, Vahjen W, Dadi T, Saliu E-M, Boroojeni FG, Zentek J (2019) Synergistic effects of probiotics and phytobiotics on the intestinal microbiota in young broiler chicken. Microorganisms 7(12), 684.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Safaa HM, Jiménez-Moreno E, Valencia DG, Frikha M, Serrano MP, Mateos GG (2009) Effect of main cereal of the diet and particle size of the cereal on productive performance and egg quality of brown egg-laying hens in early phase of production. Poultry Science 88(3), 608-614.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Sarwar F, Akhtar R, Akram Q, Rizwan HM, Naeem MA, Azad A, Rahman MS, Saleem MM, Anwar MN, Zahid B, Tariq M, Habib Z (2023) Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplemented diet on production performance, egg quality and humoral immunity in black australorp and fayoumi layers. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science 25(2), 001-008.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

SAS (2002) User guide, SAS/STAT software, version 9. (SAS Institute, Inc.: Cary, NC, USA)

Schreiter R, Damme K, Von Borell E, Vogt I, Klunker M, Freick M (2019) Effects of litter and additional enrichment elements on the occurrence of feather pecking in pullets and laying hens – a focused review. Veterinary Medicine and Science 5(4), 500-507.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Scott TA, Silversides FG, Tietge D, Swift ML (1999) Effect of feed form, formulation, and restriction on the performance of laying hens. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 79(2), 171-178.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Shapiro SS, Wilk MB (1965) An analysis of variance test for normality (complete samples). Biometrika 52(3–4), 591-611.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Shurson GC (2018) Yeast and yeast derivatives in feed additives and ingredients: sources, characteristics, animal responses, and quantification methods. Animal Feed Science and Technology 235, 60-76.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Sjofjan O, Adli DN, Sholikin MM, Jayanegara A, Irawan A (2021) The effects of probiotics on the performance, egg quality and blood parameters of laying hens: a meta-analysis. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences 30(1), 11-18.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Sundu B, Kumar A, Dingle J (2011) Effects of different pelleted diets and pellet size on bird performance. Animal Production 11(3), 165-169.
| Google Scholar |

Wahlström A, Tauson R, Elwinger K (1999) Production and egg quality as influenced by mash or crumbled diets fed to laying hens in an aviary system. Poultry Science 78(12), 1675-1680.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wan Y, Ma R, Khalid A, Chai L, Qi R, Liu W, Li J, Li Y, Zhan K (2021) Effect of the pellet and mash feed forms on the productive performance, egg quality, nutrient metabolism, and intestinal morphology of two laying hen breeds. Animals 11(3), 701.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Wang H, Fu L, Zhang JY, Kim IH (2023) Bacillus subtilis and Pichia farinose mixture improves growth performance and nutrient absorption capacity in broiler chicks. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 10, 1086349.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wang J, Wang W-W, Qi G-H, Cui C-F, Wu S-G, Zhang H-J, Xu L, Wang J (2021a) Effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis supplementation and calcium levels on performance and eggshell quality of laying hens in the late phase of production. Poultry Science 100(3), 100970.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wang T, Cheng K, Yu CY, Li QM, Tong YC, Wang C, Yang ZB, Wang T (2021b) Effects of a yeast-derived product on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune function of broilers. Poultry Science 100(9), 101343.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Zhang G, Wang H, Zhang J, Tang X, Raheem A, Wang M, Lin W, Liang L, Qi Y, Zhu Y, Jia Y, Cui S, Qin T (2021) Modulatory effects of Bacillus subtilis on the performance, morphology, cecal microbiota and gut barrier function of laying hens. Animals 11(6), 1523.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Zou X, Jiang S, Zhang M, Hu H, Wu X, Liu J, Jin M, Cheng H (2021) Effects of Bacillus subtilis on production performance, bone physiological property, and hematology indexes in laying hens. Animals 11(7), 2041.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |