Effects of different levels of expanded perlite on the performance and egg quality traits of laying hens

ABSTRACT The influence of different levels of expanded perlite on the performance and egg quality traits was studied in laying hens. Forty Lohmann Brown females at 30 weeks of age were randomly assigned to four groups consisting of five replicates with two hens in each. Four diet groups were supplemented with 0% (control group), 1%, 2%, and 3% perlite, respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. There were no significant differences in final body weight, feed intake, egg yield, and egg weight. Feed conversion ratio and egg weight decreased with addition of 2% perlite. Dietary perlite supplementation has no significant effects on shape, yolk, and albumen index. Haugh unit was affected significantly by addition of 2% perlite. Fecal pH, dry matter, and NH3-N did not significantly differ among treatments. Dietary perlite has no negative effect on performance and egg quality traits except 2% perlite group. Dietary expanded perlite can be added at 1% level in laying hen rations without changing the animal performance.

摘要：本研究以蛋鸡为试验对象，探究不同添加水平的膨胀珍珠岩（expanded perlite）对其生产性能与蛋品质性状的影响。选取40只30周龄的罗曼褐（Lohmann Brown）蛋鸡，随机分为4组，每组设置5个重复，每个重复饲养2只蛋鸡。4个日粮组分别添加0%（对照组）、1%、2%与3%的膨胀珍珠岩，试验期间自由采食与饮水。各组蛋鸡的末体重、采食量、产蛋率及蛋重均无显著差异。添加2%膨胀珍珠岩组的料重比与蛋重有所降低。日粮添加膨胀珍珠岩对蛋形、蛋黄指数与蛋白指数均无显著影响，添加2%膨胀珍珠岩可显著影响哈氏单位（Haugh unit）。各组粪便pH值、干物质含量与氨态氮（NH3-N）水平均无显著差异。除2%添加组外，日粮添加膨胀珍珠岩对蛋鸡生产性能与蛋品质性状均无负面影响。蛋鸡日粮中可添加1%水平的膨胀珍珠岩，且不会对其生产性能产生不良影响。