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Effects of dietary probiotic inclusion on performance, eggshell quality, cecal microflora composition, and tibia traits of laying hens in the late phase of production

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Abstract

Ninety-six White laying hens (64 weeks old) were used to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of Bacillus subtilis on performance and eggshell quality. Hens were randomly distributed into three treatment groups and fed basal diet (control), basal diet plus 0.5 g/kg B. subtilis (Probiotic-0.5), or basal diet plus 1 g/kg B. subtilis (Probiotic-1) for 10 weeks. Probiotic-1 group exhibited the maximum (P < 0.05) increase in egg production, egg weight, egg mass, eggshell weight, and eggshell thickness, compared with Probiotic-0.5 and the control groups. During the last week of the study, eggshell densities were 94.9, 88.7, and 65.6 mg/cm2 in Probiotic-1, Probiotic-0.5, and the control group, respectively. The average unmarketable eggs were 1.3 %, 2.2 %, and 6.4 % in Probiotic-1, Probiotic-0.5, and the control group, respectively. Tibia weight, density, and ash content increased significantly. The average time required by B. subtilis to establish a significant effect was 3 weeks for Probiotic-1and 6 weeks for Probiotic-5. B. subtilis improved gut microflora balance, which has the potential to improve gut health and absorption efficiency. It should be possible to improve egg performance and eggshell quality of aged laying hens by dietary inclusion of B. subtilis, which will be of importance for farmers.

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Acknowledgment

This research was funded by the Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Jordan, under promotion of research scheme.

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  1. Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Anas Abdelqader, Rabie Irshaid & Abdur-Rahman Al-Fataftah

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  1. Anas Abdelqader
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  2. Rabie Irshaid
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  3. Abdur-Rahman Al-Fataftah
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Correspondence to Anas Abdelqader.

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Abdelqader, A., Irshaid, R. & Al-Fataftah, AR. Effects of dietary probiotic inclusion on performance, eggshell quality, cecal microflora composition, and tibia traits of laying hens in the late phase of production. Trop Anim Health Prod 45, 1017–1024 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-012-0326-7

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