Effects of a wood-derived feed supplement on laying persistency and eggshell stability of laying hens throughout a late production period

With increasing age not only the absolute thickness of the eggshell declines, also a long-lasting stress exposure during weeks of high laying rates will affect formation of matrix proteins resulting in an increased egg shell breaking rate as well as in decreased performance. Both points are of economic relevance and appears to be a limiting factor in the prolonged and, thus, sustainable use of laying hens.

The wood-derived feed supplement containing a lignan-rich bark (agromed^®ROI, agromed Austria GmbH, Kremsmünster Austria) improves productivity in aged laying hens due to its anti-inflammatory properties (1).

▪ 90 laying hens (Lohmann LSL)

▪ 112 days trial period from week 61 to week 76 of age

▪ 3 treatments, 10 replicates, 3 animals per replicate

▪ Control: standard diet based on corn, soybean meal and limestone; Vitamin E 18 mg/kg feed

▪ ROI200: standard diet + 200 ppm feed supplement

▪ ROI400: standard diet + 400 ppm feed supplement

A significant improvement was observed in laying performance as well as in feed conversion (Table 1 and Fig. 2). The feed supplement at a dose of 400 ppm tended to increase the eggshell stability (Fig. 1).

Most probably the feed supplement’s anti-inflammatory properties contribute to a facilitated nutrient uptake and affect the formation of eggshell matrix proteins. The feed supplement represents an efficient contribution for a prolonged and sustainable use of laying hens.