Trial update from previous report Nov 24 on “Aviance weight and performance in the peak lay period of Free-range egg layers?”
Almost a year ago we reported on the response to Aviance in a trial from 16 weeks to 40 weeks on a 32,000 commercial free range laying farm. Our report in Poultry Business, focused primarily on appetite and body weight gain up to 40 weeks of age and the results were encouraging. Here we look at the data results from the complete laying cycle of the same flock.
Fig 1 and Fig 2 were included in the initial report and we explained that these were interim results. Our intention was to look at the benefit of early investment in nutrition support and what, if any, performance and commercial impacts the farmer might expect.
Feed intake measured in g/b/d in Fig 1. This was significantly higher in the birds with Aviance against the control.
In Fig 2 we can see that bodyweight showed a 32g Ave improvement in weekly weights. This was especially noticeable in the data at peak production from 25 to 30 weeks.
This report provides the key data at the end of the laying cycle for the whole flock at 83 weeks of age. Farmers will always try to ensure that they achieve robust early development in the modern laying hen as they know it is essential to a successful flock overall.
This is especially so during the period up to 40 weeks as this is often where we will see the flock outperforming the Breed standard production. Given the high outputs and workload, the hen can be potentially susceptible to physiological stressors (e.g., high rate of egg production and aging) Many farmers we speak to are keen to invest in an additive product that can help and support laying hens in commercial environments.
Extending the laying cycle can be an option for many farmers. Investing in efficient additives to achieve this can be determined by sound science and commercial data. Long term whole of flock trials and data to support those choices are limited. Techna Nutrition supported the trial and in this case the farmer was able to see positive results of Aviance in egg quality, performance and liveability.
Aviance is manufactured by Techna Nutrition and contains a blend of monoterpenoid phenol compounds derived from naturally occurring Essential oils. Recent meta-analysis of many scientific trials concludes that the inclusion of essential oils in the diet of laying hens can be used as a nutritional strategy to improve the productive performance, egg quality, antioxidant status in blood serum, and intestinal morphology*. (Orzuna-Orzuna, et al. Agriculture 2023, 13, 1294.)
40 weeks to End of Lay trial continuation.
In order to investigate the benefits of Aviance in an egg layer production system we extended the initial trial to the end of lay (83 weeks) on the same flock as in the previous report. To re-cap the 32,000 commercial Free range in Scotland had a typical modern 16,000 birds in 2 flocks housed in two end to end multi-tier sheds with a central egg collection area. Water, feed and egg collection were on separate systems which allowed for a control side (blue line) and a treatment side (orange line). For comparison we looked at the differences in egg production, livability, and egg quality/seconds on a HH basis. Aviance was included in the treatment phase at 0.5Kg/T in feed throughout.
In Fig 3 the data shows an additional 384 more hens in production in the treatment flock based on 32000 HH
Figure 4 shows a reduction in seconds between the treatment and control sheds of 1,833 doz over the duration of the whole flock
Total additional HH eggs produced to 83 weeks in the Treatment flock 6,156 Doz which equates to an additional sales return of 57p per HH (@ £1.50/Doz eggs, all egg contract). After the cost of Aviance inclusion and the additional feed intake in the early lay period we see an overall margin improvement of 32p/HH.
No other additives or interventions were used in either flock other than some additional limestone and Vit D from 60 weeks of age. This was the same for both the treatment and the control.
Reducing feed cost while improving performance and feed efficiency.
Aviance benefits from a specialist Microencapsulation system, which not only ensures stability and targeted release, but increases the efficiency of the digestion process resulting in Improved Feed Efficiency. Essential oils stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes and bile acids from the pancreas and intestinal mucosa. This leads to better digestion and absorption of nutrients.
By protecting and targeting the active compound blend within Aviance, microencapsulation can significantly amplify their positive effects on poultry, including improved gut morphology and microbial balance. Aviance will also promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, which helps balance the intestinal microbiota and improves overall intestinal function. Techna Nutrition have also conducted trials to show that Aviance can improve the intestinal wall architecture, increasing villus length and surface area for absorption.
In order to accurately utilise these benefits into commercial layer diets we lead trials in digestibility modules where we can determine and quantify the Aviance benefit. As a result, we are able to say Aviance improves feed utilisation by 50Kcal**. We have monitored and implemented these benefits across our client portfolio in many countries worldwide. In addition to the saving in energy input our advancement in this area has also allowed us to utilise Amino acid and enzyme (including Enzyme blends) matrix adjustments in the formulation to achieve a reduction in feed formulation cost. Techna’s formulation team uses our own specific Matrix for layer formulations with the Aviance benefits built in.
In summary, as this trial shows for laying hens, we can improve the performance and financial return if Aviance is used as an ‘over the top’ feed additive. It is possible to increase these returns where Aviance is utilised within the formulation and the application of the matrix adjustments utilised.
Find out more at groupe-techna.com
More information:
Iain Campbell
UK Poultry Technical Manager
iain.campbell@groupe.techna.com
Mobile: (+44) 07938 424009
* Orzuna-Orzuna, J.F.; Lara-Bueno, A. Essential Oils as a Dietary Additive for Laying Hens: Performance, Egg Quality, Antioxidant Status, and Intestinal Morphology: A Meta-Analysis. Agriculture 2023, 13, 1294. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071294
** Techna St Symphorien 2017