Abstract:

【Objective】 An experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary content of de-oiled distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on production performance, egg quality and serum biochemical indexes in laying hens. 【Method】Nine hundred and sixty Hy-line brown laying hens of 67 weeks old were randomly devided into 4 groups, each of which was replicated four times with sixty hens per replicate. The control group was fed with basal diet, and test I,test II and III groups were fed with diet containing 12%, 18% and 24% DDGS, respectively, for 8 weeks. 【Result】 In the whole experimental period, no significant differences (P＞0.05) in feed intake, egg shape index, and eggshell thickness were observed among the four groups. However, the test groups had lower egg weights and deeper yolk color than control group (P＜0.05). Compared with control group, there were no significant differences in feed-egg ratio, laying rate and Haugh unit in test I and test II (P＞0.05), but test III had higher feed-egg ratio and Haugh unit,and lower laying rate (P＜0.05). No significant differences (P＞0.05) in serum biochemical indexes (Ca, P, TG, HDL and BUN) were observed among the four dietary treatments groups. 【Conclusion】 If dietary content of DDGS is less than 18%, there is no negative effects on feed-egg ratio, laying rate,egg quality and serum biochemical indexes in laying hens,but egg weight will be decreased. However, the feed-egg ratio will be increased and laying rate and egg weight will be decreased when the contens is up to 24%.

Key words: de-oiled DDGS, laying hens, production performance, egg quality, serum biochemical indexes