Egg performance, egg quality, and nutrient utilization in laying hens fed diets with different levels of rapeseed expeller cake

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of rapeseed expeller cake (RC) in the diet of laying hens on egg performance, egg quality, retention and excretion of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus, and metabolizability of energy. The experiment was carried out with 72 Bovans Brown hens, from 28 to 53 weeks of age. Experimental treatment consisted of four isonitrogenous and isocaloric corn-soybean diets (as calculated: 17% crude protein, 11.6 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, 0.81% lysine, 0.36% methionine, 3.60% calcium and 0.37% available phosphorus), containing 0, 4, 6 or 8% RC. The RC used was produced from double zero rapeseed and contained 29.3% crude protein, 17.4% crude fat, 10.8% crude fibre, 0.63% calcium, 0.97% phosphorus, 1.91% lysine and 0.84% methionine. During the experimental period, the dietary level of RC had no significant effects on egg performance and egg quality parameters. Boiled eggs from hens fed a diet with 8% RC were characterized by an inferior flavour to those from other groups. There were no treatment effects on nitrogen balance or metabolizability of energy, though the highest dietary level of RC negatively affected retention and excretion of calcium and phosphorus.

The Quality of Eggs Derived from Japanese Quail Fed with the Fermented and Non-Fermented Rapeseed Meal

“…Moreover, in a study by Blair et al [ 26 ], the addition of rapeseed meals fed to Babcock hens tended to darken yolk. On the other hand, Świątkiewicz et al [ 38 ] observed slightly less colored egg yolks (about four points on the Roche scale) when Japanese quails were fed with rapeseed cake. The positive change in yolk color could also result from slightly higher crude fiber content related to the amount of rapeseed meal.…”

“…Although no statistical differences were found in the most important eggshell characteristics, it was seen that eggshells from groups fed with both non-fermented and fermented rapeseed meals had better quality. Therefore, rapeseed meals, especially fermented ones, probably contributed to higher calcium retention [ 38 ], preventing unfavorable changes in shell structure. This hypothesis seems to be confirmed by our research.…”

Allergens and Toxins from Oleaginous Plants: Problems and Solutions

“…Glucosinolates are considered anti-nutritive factors for animal production but, on the other hand, they have an important role in plant protection against pests, diseases and also weeds (Rahmanpour et al, 2010;Haramoto and Gallandt, 2004). Originally, the rapeseed cake uses for animal feed were limited because of the presence of undesirable substances (glucosinolates, erucic acid) (Swiatkiewicz et al, 2010;Schmidt et al, 2004). Major deleterious effects of glucosinolate ingestion in animals are reduced palatability, decreased growth and production.…”