title: Improving productive and reproductive performance of dual-purpose crossbred hens in the tropics by lecithin supplementation.
abstract: In order to study the influence of lecithin and vegetable oils on improving productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, and metabolic profile of dual-purpose crossbred hens in the tropics, a total of 224 hens, 47-wk old, 112 each of Gimmizah and Silver Montazah strains were fed seven isonitrogenous diets. Experimental treatments consisted of feeding seven different diets to layers; four isocaloric diets containing either no added lipid (control), 3% vegetable oil mixture, 3% soy lecithin or 6% soy lecithin; and three high-energy level diets, containing an extra 3% vegetable oil mixture, 3% or 6% soy lecithin added to the control diet. Thus, the experimental design was factorial, consisting of seven lipid treatments by two strains of hens. Results indicate that 3% lecithin as an extra ME source, or feeding 11.72 MJ ME/kg diet containing the same level of lecithin, improved productive and reproductive performance of crossbred hens. Moreover, lecithin at 6% as an extra ME supplement significantly increased yolk percentage and improved Haugh unit score and yolk color, while increasing EE digestibility and plasma total lipids. Hen strain had a significant effect only on digestibility of OM, percentage liver and Haugh unit score, with the Gimmizah strain having higher values.
authors.affiliation: Animal and Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture-Damanhour, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. yfat_alexu40@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Attia
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Tag El-Din
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Qota
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Abed El-Ghany
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: El-Sudany
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000737:chemistry; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D054709:Lecithins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D054709:Lecithins; D008055:Lipids