Feed for inducing molting
A feed formulation with lichen and specific nutritional components addresses the issues of poor egg quality and high mortality in conventional molting methods by inducing weight loss and stopping egg-laying without fasting, ensuring high-quality eggs and reduced economic losses.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AKITA FOODS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Conventional induced molting methods in laying hens result in poor egg quality during the molting period, increased mortality, and economic losses due to fasting, while existing compound feeds fail to effectively stop egg-laying and maintain eggshell quality.
A feed formulation containing lichen with specific crude protein and metabolic energy levels, along with ingredients like rhodochrosites, wheat bran, and calcium carbonate, is used to induce molting while maintaining egg quality and reducing mortality.
The feed formulation effectively stops egg-laying and reduces body weight, maintaining egg quality and minimizing mortality, thus enabling efficient rearing of laying hens.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a feed used for induced molting of laying hens and a method for raising laying hens.
Background Art
[0002] When laying hens reach an age of generally over 350 days, the egg production rate decreases due to aging, and at the same time, the eggshell quality of chicken eggs decreases, resulting in a decrease in the commercialization rate. Therefore, around 450 days of age, induced molting is carried out over a period of about 12 days by reducing the weight by 23 - 30% of the body weight at the start of induced molting, shrinking the reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus), and stopping egg production. After that, refeeding of the feed is carried out, and at the same time as the weight recovery, the reproductive organs are also recovered, so that chicken eggs with a higher egg production rate and better eggshell quality than before the implementation of induced molting can be produced.
[0003] Conventionally, induced molting has been carried out by fasting (starving) and shortening the lighting time in the chicken coop. Lighting management is usually 15 hours of lighting during the egg - laying period. However, from 7 days before the implementation of induced molting, it is reduced to 9 hours, and from the day when the weight loss reaches about 25%, it is extended to 10 hours, and then it is extended by 1 hour at intervals of 7 to 10 days, and at 72 days of age, it returns to the original 15 - hour lighting. However, in such a conventional induced molting method, although the weight decreases early, due to fasting the feed, the deterioration of the egg quality of the chicken eggs produced during the period of about 7 days until egg production stops (decrease in eggshell quality, decrease in egg yolk color, variation) is significant. Also, the chicken coop gets dirty due to broken eggs, and it takes a lot of effort to clean. In addition, due to fasting, the number of dead and fallen feathers of the chickens is large, resulting in a large economic loss.
[0004] Therefore, several methods have been proposed for inducing molting in which laying hens are fed without being fasted, even during the induced molting period. For example, a compound feed for raising adult hens for use in inducing molting has been reported, which uses rice bran with a specific bulk density and particle size distribution as the main ingredient and is adjusted to have a metabolic energy of 1900-2400 kcal / kg, as a compound feed that suppresses the occurrence of dead chickens, prevents the deterioration of eggshell quality after laying resumes, and prevents egg contamination (Patent Document 1). Another example is a compound feed for inducing molting in laying hens, which uses rice bran with a specific bulk density and particle size distribution as the main ingredient, has a calcium content of 3.5% or more, and has a metabolic energy of 1900 kcal / kg or more and less than 2100 kcal / kg, as a compound feed that suppresses the occurrence of dead chickens, prevents the deterioration of eggshell quality after laying resumes, and is easy to use in poultry farms (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-245205 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-304699 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0006] However, with compound feeds such as those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, egg-laying cessation after induced molting is unlikely to occur, and the egg quality of chicken eggs during the induced molting period remains unsatisfactory. This invention has been made in view of the conventional situation described above, and aims to provide a feed for induced molting and a method for raising laying hens that can maintain eggshell quality while feeding feed during the induced molting period, allowing the eggs to be shipped as products, and that can induce molting while suppressing mortality. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The inventors of this invention have conducted extensive research to solve the aforementioned problem and have found that by feeding chickens a feed containing lichen with a predetermined crude protein content and metabolic energy to induce molting, it is possible to reduce body weight (refresh the reproductive organs) while maintaining the quality of eggs laid during the induced molting period, and also to suppress the mortality rate. This has led to the completion of the present invention.
[0008] In other words, the present invention provides a molting-inducing feed characterized by containing rhodochrosites, having a crude protein content of 12.0-14.0%, and a metabolizable energy of 1500-1750 kcal / kg. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for raising laying hens, characterized by feeding them the above-described induced molting feed to induce molting. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] The induced molting feed of the present invention suppresses the decline in egg quality and eggshell quality of eggs laid during the induced molting period, maintaining them at a marketable quality, while also suppressing mortality rates and causing egg-laying to stop simultaneously with weight loss. Therefore, the rearing method of the present invention enables efficient rearing of laying hens. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] The molting-inducing feed of the present invention contains compost. Examples of compost include wheat bran, rice bran, defatted rice bran, barley bran, corn gluten feed, brewer's lees, soy sauce lees, soybean hulls, shochu lees, and DDGS. These can be used individually or in combination of two or more. Among these, wheat bran, defatted rice bran, soybean hulls, and corn gluten feed are preferred from the viewpoint of being raw materials with a high content of NDF (neutral detergent fiber) that chickens cannot digest.
[0011] The amount of rhizomes in the molting feed is preferably 70% by mass or more, and more preferably 75-85% by mass, from the viewpoint of ensuring that laying hens can fill their stomachs and feel satisfied even with a small amount of feed. When bran is included as a type of feed, the bran content in the molting feed is preferably 35% by mass or more, and more preferably 40-60% by mass, from the viewpoint of ensuring that laying hens can fill their stomachs and feel satisfied even with a small amount of feed.
[0012] The molting-inducing feed of the present invention has a crude protein content of 12.0-14.0%. From the viewpoint of stopping egg-laying early, the crude protein content of the molting-inducing feed is more preferably 12.5-13.5%. The crude protein content of molting feed can be measured by the Kjeldahl method, in accordance with the analytical methods listed in the Feed Analysis Standards.
[0013] The molting-inducing feed of the present invention has a metabolic energy of 1500-1750 kcal / kg. By setting the metabolic energy of the molting-inducing feed to 1500 kcal / kg or more, molting can be induced while feeding the feed, while suppressing mortality. Furthermore, by setting the metabolic energy to 1750 kcal / kg or less, the weight can be reduced to the target weight loss rate around 20 days after the start of molting-inducing. From the perspective of suppressing mortality and controlling the rate of weight loss, it is preferable that the metabolic energy of the molting-inducing feed be 1550-1700 kcal / kg.
[0014] The molting-inducing feed of the present invention preferably has a calcium content of 5.0% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of maintaining the eggshell quality of chicken eggs laid during the molting-inducing period. The calcium content of the molting-inducing feed is preferably 6.0 to 8.0% by mass. Examples of calcium sources include salts with carbonic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrogen phosphate, citric acid, gluconic acid, oyster shells, seashells, and fossilized shells. These can be used individually or in combination of two or more. Of these, calcium carbonate is preferred from the standpoint of raw material cost and digestibility and absorption by chickens. The form of calcium carbonate is not particularly limited, and it may be in the form of powder, granules, etc. at room temperature (15 to 25°C), and these may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When containing calcium carbonate as a calcium source, the content of calcium carbonate in the feed for induced molt is preferably 15% by mass or more, more preferably 17.0 to 20.0% by mass, from the viewpoint of maintaining the egg quality of chicken eggs laid during the induced molt period.
[0015] From the viewpoint of accelerating weight loss and atrophy of the genital organs, the feed for induced molt of the present invention preferably does not contain salt, and when it contains salt, it is preferably 0.13% by mass or less, and more preferably substantially does not contain salt. Also, the feed for induced molt preferably contains 0.05% by mass or less of sodium and 0.08% by mass or less of chlorine as chlorine.
[0016] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of accelerating weight loss and atrophy of the genital organs, the feed for induced molt of the present invention preferably contains various vitamins and minerals other than sodium. Examples of vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin B group, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, etc. Examples of minerals include iron, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, cobalt, magnesium, sulfur, etc. The contents of vitamins and minerals in the feed for induced molt can be appropriately set within a range that does not impair the object of the present invention, but vitamin A is 2,000 IU / kg or less, preferably 1,000 to 2,000 IU / kg, vitamin D3 is 500 IU / kg or less, preferably 200 to 500 IU / kg, manganese is 20 mg / kg or less, preferably 5 to 20 mg / kg, and zinc is 15 mg / kg or less, preferably 3 to 15 mg / kg.
[0017] In addition to the above components, the feed for inducing molt may contain, as feed ingredients, for example, husks such as corn, millet, wheat, barley, oats, rye, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet; vegetable oil cakes such as soybean oil cake, linseed oil cake, cottonseed oil cake, peanut oil cake, safflower oil cake, coconut oil cake, palm kernel oil cake, sesame oil cake, sunflower oil cake, rapeseed oil cake, mustard oil cake, castor oil cake, and sesame oil cake; animal feeds such as fish meal, fish soluble, meat meal, meat and bone meal, blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, skim milk powder, casein, and dried whey; plant stems and leaves such as alfalfa meal, false akashi and powder, and silvervine leaf meal; corn processing industrial by-products such as corn gluten meal and corn steep liquor; vegetable oils and fats such as corn germ oil, ester oil, soybean oil, and palm kernel oil, and animal oils and fats such as lard and beef tallow; starches and starch processed products; amino acids such as methionine, lysine, glycine, glutamic acid, tryptophan, and arginine; and pigment raw materials such as paprika extract. The content of these feed ingredients can be appropriately set within a range that does not impair the object of the present invention. For example, the content of oils and fats in the feed for inducing molt is preferably 3% by mass or less.
[0018] The feed for inducing molt of the present invention can be prepared in forms such as mash, pellet, crumble, and flake, but mash and crumble are preferred, and crumble is more preferred. By using crumble, laying hens can ingest the feed ingredients evenly without variation, and it can be easily discharged from a feed transport vehicle or a feed tank. When preparing in the form of crumble, it is preferable to pressure-mold the diameter of the pellet in the range of 2.0 to 6.0 mm, preferably 3.0 to 5.0 mm, and then crush the particle size to 4.5 mm or less, preferably in the range of 1.0 to 3.5 mm. This is preferable for laying hens to ingest the feed ingredients evenly without variation and for easy discharge from a feed transport vehicle or a feed tank.
[0019] When feeding the feed for inducing molt of the present invention to laying hens, it is preferably fed in the range of, for example, 30 to 70 g / day.
[0020] The method of feeding the molting-inducing feed of the present invention is not particularly limited, but includes continuous feeding or restricted feeding, with continuous feeding being preferred. In the case of restricted feeding, methods such as quantitative feeding, every-other-day feeding (skip feed), and gradual reduction / increase (step-down / step-up) are used.
[0021] The molting-inducing feed of the present invention is preferably fed to laying hens continuously from 450 days of age to around 470 days of age in order to produce the desired eggs. When the molting-inducing feed of the present invention is fed, the target weight loss rate is generally reached by about 20 days from the start of feeding. The weight loss rate at the end of molting is more preferably 23-30%, and more preferably 23-25%, of the weight at the start of molting. [Examples]
[0022] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited in any way by these examples.
[0023] Example 1: Feeding test example of a feed for inducing molting. 1) Test chickens: Julia Light. Control group 1: 41,767 birds, Control group 2: 42,480 birds, Test group: 42,580 birds. Total: 126,827 birds.
[0024] 2) Test plots: i) Control plot 1: Induced molting by fasting ii) Control group 2: Induced molting by feeding adult chick feed iii) Test group: Induced molting by feeding with induced molting feed The proportions of feed for large chicks, feed for induced molting, and feed for laying hens are shown in Table 1. The feed for large chicks and laying hens is mash feed, while the feed for induced molting is crumble feed.
[0025] [Table 1]
[0026] 3) Test period: 451 days old (age at which induced molting begins) to 522 days old (egg-laying rate reaches approximately 90%). We determined that the chicken flock had recovered its production capabilities with an average egg-laying rate of 90%.
[0027] 4) Test results "Results from 450 days old to 462 days old" Table 2 summarizes the process from initiating induced molting to achieving the target weight loss rate of 25% (a 25% reduction from the weight disclosed before induced molting) at 470 days of age (20 days after induced molting). In control group 1, which was fasted, egg-laying stopped at 8 days after induced molting, and the weight loss rate reached 25% at 9 days after induced molting. In control group 2, which was fed adult chick feed, the weight decreased to 14.6% at 470 days old, and the egg-laying rate also decreased to 60%, but it did not stop completely. On the other hand, in the group fed with induced molting feed, egg-laying stopped 20 days after induced molting, and the weight loss rate reached 25%. The average intake of feed for large chicks in the control group 2 was 86.5 g / bird / day, while the average intake of feed for induced molting in the experimental group was 53.4 g / bird / day. During the induced molt period (the period until egg-laying ceases), the quality of eggs in the fasting control group showed that the egg yolk density before induced molt was 12.1, but decreased as the chickens grew older after induced molt, averaging 10.1. Eggshell strength was also 3.6 kg / cm² before induced molt. 2 However, it decreased significantly to an average of 2.25 kg / cm³. 2 That's what happened. In the two control groups fed adult chick feed, there was no decrease in egg yolk color, but the average eggshell strength was 2.51 kg / cm². 2 It decreased. On the other hand, in the test group fed with induced molting feed, the egg yolk level was almost the same as before induced molting, averaging 11.8, and the eggshell strength was also almost the same as before induced molting, averaging 3.55 kg / cm². 2 The group fed the molting-inducing feed showed superior egg quality compared to the control group, maintaining a quality suitable for commercial sale. The number of dead birds and the mortality rate were 1,001 birds and 2.4% in control group 1 (fasting treatment), while control group 2 (feeding for large chicks) had a lower mortality rate of 1.09% (461 birds). On the other hand, the test plot had 577 birds, which was 1.36% of the control plot, approximately 40% fewer.
[0028] [Table 2-1]
[0029] [Table 2-2]
[0030] [Table 2-3]
[0031] "Results from day 463 to day 552" The control group was fed a standard laying hen feed (crude protein content: 15.3%, metabolic energy value ME: 2846 kcal / kg) from 461 days of age, and the test group was fed a standard laying hen feed from 471 days of age. Table 3 summarizes the data up to 522 days of age (72 days after induced molt), when the egg-laying rate for the group fed the induced molt feed reached approximately 90%. Egg weight, yolk color, and eggshell strength recovered as the birds matured, with no significant differences between the control group 1 and the experimental group. Egg-laying rates were also similar in both groups, reaching approximately 90% of the target at 70 days after induced molting. However, while egg weight and yolk color were not significantly different from the other groups, control group 2 showed inferior eggshell strength. Furthermore, although egg-laying rates recovered, they were inferior to the other groups. The number of dead birds and the mortality rate were approximately 40% lower in the experimental group (1,190 birds, 2.79%) compared to the control group (2,071 birds, 4.96%).
[0032] [Table 3]
[0033] Based on the above test results, it was confirmed that feeding chickens with the induced molting feed (this patented technology) resulted in a lower mortality rate compared to conventional methods of induced molting using fasting or feed for large chicks. Furthermore, the quality of eggs produced during the induced molting period was minimized, the chicken coop remained clean, and the eggs maintained a quality suitable for shipment.
[0034] Example 2: Feeding test example of molting-inducing feed. 1) Test chickens: Julia Light. Control group 1: Inducing molting feed (CP content 11%, ME 1481kcal / kg): 41,500 birds. Control group 2: Inducing molting feed (CP content 14.5%, ME 1851kcal / kg): 42,130 birds. Test group: Inducing molting feed (CP content 12.9%, ME 1690kcal / kg): 42,240 birds. Total: 125,870 birds.
[0035] 2) Test plot: i) Control plot 1: Induced molting by feeding with molting-inducing feed (CP 11.11%, ME 1481kcal / kg) ii) Control group 2: Induced molting by feeding with induced molting feed (CP 14.5%, ME 1851kcal / kg) iii) Test group: Induced molting by feeding with induced molting feed (CP 12.9%, ME 1690kcal / kg) The feed mixture ratios are shown in Table 4. The feed for laying hens is mash feed, and the feed for induced molting is crumble feed.
[0036] [Table 4]
[0037] 3) Test period: 451 days old (age at which induced molting began) to 470 days old (25% weight loss, cessation of egg-laying).
[0038] 4) Test results "Results from 450 days old to 462 days old" Table 5 summarizes the process from initiating induced molting to achieving the target weight loss rate of 25% (a 25% reduction from the weight disclosed before induced molting) at 470 days of age (20 days after induced molting). In control group 1 (CP 11%, ME 1480kcal / kg), egg-laying ceased at 20 days post-induced molt, and a weight loss rate of 24.7% was reached at 20 days post-induced molt. In the control group (CP 14.5%, ME 1850kcal / kg), the egg-laying rate did not stop at 8% even at 20 days post-induced molting, and the weight loss rate only decreased to 20.0%. On the other hand, the test group, like control group 1, stopped laying eggs at 20 days after induced molting and reached a weight loss rate of 25%. The average intake was 52.4g / bird / day in control group 1, 48.7g / bird / day in control group 2, and 51.8g / bird / day in the test group, with no significant differences between the groups. During the induced molting period, the quality of chicken eggs in the control group (Group 1) showed that the egg yolk density before induced molting was 12.0, but it decreased slightly as the chickens grew older after induced molting, averaging 11.0. Furthermore, the eggshell strength was 3.56 kg / cm³ before induced molting. 2 However, it showed a downward trend, averaging 2.99 kg / cm³. 2 That's what happened. In the control group 2, the egg yolk color decreased slightly, similar to group 1. Eggshell strength also decreased slightly, similar to group 1, averaging 3.01 kg / cm³. 2 It decreased. On the other hand, the egg yolk color in the test group showed no difference from before induced molting, averaging 11.9, and the eggshell strength also showed almost no difference from before induced molting, averaging 3.58 kg / cm². 2 The egg quality in the test group was superior to that of the control group, and it maintained a quality suitable for shipment as a product. The number of dead birds and the mortality rate were 802 birds and 1.93% in control group 1, and 654 birds and 1.55% in control group 2, while the experimental group had fewer dead birds (567 birds and 1.38%).
[0039] [Table 5-1]
[0040] [Table 5-2]
[0041] [Table 5-3]
[0042] Based on the above test results, feeding chickens with the induced molting feed of the present invention resulted in a lower mortality rate, a weight loss rate of 25%, and the ability to simultaneously halt egg production. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the quality of eggs produced during the induced molting period did not deteriorate significantly, the chicken coop did not become soiled, and the eggs maintained a quality suitable for shipment as a product.
Claims
1. A molting-inducing feed characterized by containing rhodochrosites, having a crude protein content of 12.0-14.0%, a metabolizable energy of 1500-1750 kcal / kg, and a calcium content of 6.0-8.0% by mass.
2. The molting-inducing feed according to claim 1, wherein the content of rhododendrons is 70% by mass or more.
3. The molting-inducing feed according to claim 1, wherein the sodium content is 0.05% by mass or less.
4. The molting-inducing feed according to claim 1, wherein the vitamin A content is 1,000 to 2,000 IU / kg and the vitamin D3 content is 200 to 500 IU / kg.
5. The molting-inducing feed according to claim 1, which is in the form of crumble or mash.
6. A method for raising laying hens, characterized by feeding them the induced molting feed described in any one of claims 1 to 5 to induce molting.