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Effects of a patented activated clay on laying hens performances

Published: October 15, 2012
By: Gaelle Benzoni, Alain Guyonvarch (IN VIVO NSA), Danièle MARZIN(NEOVIA)
Introduction
With the increase of microbes resistance, the use of antibiotics as growth promoters is decreasing worldwide. As a consequence, there is a need for alternative products able to maintain production performances without antibiotics. In this context, a trial was conducted on laying hens to evaluate the effects of a patented activated clay (B-Safe). 
Material and methods
 Effects of a patented activated clay on laying hens performances - Image 1
The performances were recorded during 8 weeks, between 52 and 59 weeks of production. The following data were registered :
- number of eggs produced, average eggs weight, number of downgraded eggs
- daily feed consumption, feed conversion ratio
All data were subjected to analysis of variance procedure with diet, time and cage nested in diet as the 3 fixed factors of the model. Statistically different means were separated using Duncan's multiple range tests (p< 0.05). 
Results
B-Safe significantly improved laying percentage (+ 2.7 %, p<0.05), average egg weight (+1.7%, p<0.001) and feed conversion ratio (-4.1%, p<0.001) in comparison with the negative control. The egg mass was improved by 4.7% (p<0.001).
Zinc bacitracin also improved performances in comparison with the negative control non significantly except for the average egg weight (+0.8%, p<0.001) and the egg mass (+2.4%, p<0.001).
No significant difference was observed on the number of downgraded eggs with any of the diets.
 Effects of a patented activated clay on laying hens performances - Image 2
Effects of a patented activated clay on laying hens performances - Image 3
Conclusion
In the conditions of the trial, B-Safe significantly improved layers performance in comparison with the negative control. Performances obtained on the B-Safe group were also higher than those obtained on the zinc bacitracin group. As a consequence, B-Safe can be considered as an efficient solution to improve egg production.
Related topics:
Authors:
Gaelle Benzoni
Neovia
Danièle Marzin
Olmix
Alain Guyonvarch
ADM
ADM
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Athar Mahmud
UVAS, Lahore-Pakistan
UVAS, Lahore-Pakistan
14 de febrero de 2013

The information is excellent, a country like Pakistan where we are looking for antibiotic free diet for broiler, particularly in the last phase of production, will be helpful for the producer.

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Ariyo Oluwatomide
4 de julio de 2019
How should someone use BSAFE in pullets
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Koot van der Walt
22 de julio de 2013
Sounds great do you have a South African Distributor? Please explain the differt results between B-safe and an Acidifier. Most gratefull koot van der walt
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Puneet
Montajat Veterinary Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.
7 de mayo de 2013
Add coated acids... it will give a better performance.
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Sergio Velez
Alimentos CCR
6 de mayo de 2013

Given the explanation for the mechanism of action of the commercial product perhaps then the control group should have included a copper source ( such as Copper sulphate, for instance) instead of an antibiotic.

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Maheswar Rath
21 de noviembre de 2012

It is a good concept if it clicks for controlling the bacterial infection . Time will pave the way and we are working with all positive thoughts. Poultry get copper as a part of trace mineral along with others in layer and broiler diet. If clay -with copper charging may be more helpful for bird?It is a good way to withdraw antibiotics in poultry feed if used. Nowadays many veg feeds do not have antibiotics in feed. Drrathm

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Marie-Laurence Le Ray
Neovia
20 de noviembre de 2012

Dear Pat Banjo, charcoal and B-SAFE have probably different functions and modes of action. B-SAFE is activated by copper: a very low level of copper is enough to have antimicrobial activity of B-SAFE because of the localisation of copper at the surface of the clay (very thin particules size).
Generally charcoal is more used to bind toxins and this is not the target of B-SAFE. B-SAFE acts more on bacteria and is more a modulator of the gut flora.

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Pat Banjo
7 de noviembre de 2012

What is the difference between activated clay and activated charcoal? Any possible difference(s) in their functions and mode of action?

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Maheswar Rath
22 de octubre de 2012

Good luck sir. It will be nice to avoid antibiotic use in poultry feed which would be economical. thank you for explaining the concept adopted . dr rathm

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Marie-Laurence Le Ray
Neovia
22 de octubre de 2012

Dear Dr Dhar, thank you for your comment.
Dear Desalew Tadesse and dear Dr Rath, thank you for your questions.

B-SAFE is an activated clay that means that during the manufacturing process there is an ion exchange. This ion exchange is highly controlled to obtain a positively charged entity (B-SAFE). Once in the gut there is an attraction between B-SAFE and the bacteria (negatively charged on their membranes) and this attraction disturbs the proper functionning of the bacteria membranes. B-SAFE acts as a modulator of the gut flora and this modulation allows good zootechnical results. There is no known effect of B-SAFE as a toxin binder, it is more a direct antimicrobial effect.
We have a lot of field trials in differents countries to say that B-SAFE can avoid antibiotics used as growth promoters and that B-SAFE improves performances in broilers and layers.
This poster has been published at Alternatives To Antibiotics symposium in Paris at the end of september.

Danièle MARZIN / Marie-Laurence LE RAY : B-SAFE product manager

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