The effect of feed supplements on the qualitative parameters of eggs in laying hens
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52673/18570461.26.1-80.12Keywords:
egg white, egg, eggshell, yolk, peat-based feed additiveAbstract
Ensuring high egg quality and eggshell strength is a critical challenge in modern poultry production, as these parameters directly affect economic efficiency, food safety, and consumer acceptance of the product. In this context, the present study investigates the effects of an organic peat-based feed additive on the morphological characteristics of eggs produced by Hy-Line Brown W-36 laying hens at different ages. The experiment included five groups of birds that received the additive at doses of 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 kg per ton of feed. The evaluated parameters included the mass of egg white, yolk, and eggshell; eggshell thickness; structural distribution of the main egg components; and the egg white/yolk ratio at 17 and 34 weeks of age. The results demonstrated that dietary supplementation with the peatbased additive significantly increased the mass of the egg white, yolk, and shell, as well as eggshell thickness, compared with the control group. The most pronounced positive effects were observed at a dosage of 1.0 kg/t. The inclusion of the peat-based feed additive enhanced age-related morphological improvements of eggs and contributed to the formation of stronger and more structurally uniform eggshells. These results confirm the potential of peat as an effective organic feed additive for improving the quality and biological value of eggs intended for consumption.
References
1. Kleyn, F.; Ciacciariello, M. Future demands of the poultry industry: will we meet our commitments sustainably in developed and developing economies?, în: World’s Poultry Science Journal. Vol. 77 (2), 2021, 267-278. https://doi.org/10.1080/00439339.2021.1904314
2. FAO, Poultry Development Review, 2023. 120 p. [online] https://www.fao.org/4/i3531e/i3531e.pdf (consultat: 12.01.2026).
3. Statistical databank, 2025, [online] https://statbank.statistica.md (consultat: 16.12.2025).
4. Ouă de consum pentru perioada 2022–2025. Guvernul Republicii Moldova, [online] https://gov.md/index.php/ru/node/5204 (consultat: 16.12.2025).
5. Volumul exportului de ouă din Republica Moldova către țările UE a crescut vertiginos. AgroExpert. 2025, [online] https://agroexpert.md/rus/v-moldove/objem-eksporta-yaits-iz-moldovy-v-strany-es-rezko-vozros (consultat: 16.12.2025).
6. Oketch, E.; Wickramasuriya, S.; Oh, S. et al. Physiology of lipid digestion and absorption in poultry: An updated review on the supplementation of exogenousemulsifiers in broiler diets, in: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. Vol. 107 (6), 2023, 1429-1443. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13859
7. Kiarie, E.; Cheng, V.; Tan, Z. et al. Comparative impact of bacitracin and select feed additives in the feeding program of Lohmann LSL-Lite pullets at the onset of lay through to 31 weeks of age, in: Translational Animal Science. Vol. 8, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae013
8. Nikolaev, S.; Struk, A.; Naidova, A.; Tarushkin, A. Biologicheski aktivnaia dobavka «Elton» v kormlenii kur-nesushiek Haiseks korichnevyi, in: Izvestiia Nizhnevolzhskogo agrouniversitetskogo kompleksa: nauka i vysshee professional’noe obrazovanie, nr. 3 (47), 2017, 136-141.
9. Heo, J.; Opapeju, F.; Pluske, J. et al. Gastrointestinal health and function in weaned pigs: a review of feeding strategies to control post-weaning diarrhoea without using in-feed antimicrobial compounds, in: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. Vol. 97 (2), 2013, 207-237. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2012.01284.x
10. Inca, J.; Martinez, D.; Vilchez, C. Phenotypic Correlation Between External and Internal Egg Quality Characteristics in 85-Week-Old Laying Hens, in: International Journal of Poultry Science. Vol. 19 (8), 2020, 346-355. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2020.346.355
11. Mestani, M.; Zeqiri, M.; Bytyçi, P. et al. Exploring the physical characteristics of eggs for consumption and industrial use in Kosovo: a comprehensive quality analysis, in: International Journal of Food Properties. Vol. 27 (1), 2024, 341-351. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2024.2317731
12. Jang, E. Correlation between Internal and External Egg Quality Indicators in the Early Phase of Hy-Line 222 Brown Laying Hens, in: Korean Journal of Poultry Science. Vol. 49 (2), 2022, 53-60. https://doi.org/10.5536/KJPS.2022.49.2.53
13. Rukovodstvo po soderzhaniiu Hy-Line Brown. Hy-Line, 2023, [online] https://www.hyline.com/filesimages/Hy-Line-Products/Hy-Line-Product-PDFs/Brown/BRN%20STD%20RUS.pdf (consultat: 04.11.2024).
14. Beldin, V. Guminovye kormovye dobavki kak prirodnaia zamena, in: Molochnoe i myasnoe skotovodstvo. 2021, nr. 4, 43-46.
15. Golubina, O. Fizikokhimiia i biologiia torfa, in: Ispol’zovanie torfa v selskom khoziaistve. Tomsk: Tom. TsNTI. 2011, р. 45.
16. Martynov, S. Effektivnost’ vkliucheniia neobrabotannogo torfa v ratsion kormleniia selskokhoziaistvennykh zhivotnykh, in: Khimiia i komp’iuternoe modelirovanie. Butlerovski soobshcheniia. g. Syktyvkar, 2001, nr. 5.
17. Lukashenko, V. Metodika provedeniia issledovanii po tekhnologii proizvodstva iaits i miasa ptitsy: metodika. Sergiev Posad, 2015. 103 р.
18. Minitab User’s Guide. Release 17 for Windows, Minitab LLC. 63 p.
19. Mudroňová, D.; Karaffová, V.; Semjon, B., et. al. Effects of dietary supplementation of humic substances on production parameters, immune status and gut microbiota of laying hen, in: Agriculture. Vol. 11(8), 2021, p. 744. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11080744
20. Marcinčák, S.; Semjon, B.; Marcinčáková, D., et. al. Humic substances as a feed supplement and the benefits for produced chicken meat, in: Life. Vol. 13(4), 2023, p. 927. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040927
21. Hriciková, S.; Kožárová, I.; Hudáková, N. et. al. Humic Substances as a Versatile Intermediary, in: Life. Vol. 13 (4), 2023, р. 858. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040858
22. Dobrzański, Z.; Chojnacka, K.; Trziszka, T. et. al. The effect of dietary humic preparations on the content of essential and non-essential chemical elements in hen eggs. în: Animals. Vol. 10(8), 2020, p. 1252. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081252
23. Ozturk, E.; Coskun, I.; Ocak, N. et. al. Effects of dietary humic substances on egg production and egg shell quality of hens after peak laying period, in: African Journal of Biotechnology. Vol. 8 (6), 2009, 1155-1159. http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB
