Sigra Research Center, Latvia, 2003

Layer feeding trial at Sigra Research Center, Latvia 2003

The aim of the trial was to study the effect of Progut™ on certain intestinal parameters and performance of layers. The trial was carried out at the Sigra Research Center in Latvia between 5.6.2003 - 18.12.2003.

In the first part of the trial the effect of Progut™ on the laying start was studied. 120 young Lohmann Brown layers were divided into to control and trial groups. There were 10*6 birds in both groups. The trial period was from 17 to 20 weeks of age. The birds were fed with the same basic feed, for the trial group 0,2 % Progut™ was mixed mechanically to the ready made feed.

Results

	Control	Progut 0,2 %
Laying-% at 20 weeks of age	16,88	19,64
Egg weight at 20 weeks of age, g	48,35	48,53

LAYING % AND EGG WEIGHTS AT 20 WEEKS OF AGE

Feeds containing Progut™ during the trial period had a positive effect on the functional activity of the reproductive system by increasing egg laying by 2.76 percentage units in comparison with the control group. In the second part of the trial the effect of Progut™ on the performance of layers was studied. The trial period was from 42 to 45 weeks. Lohmann Brown layers were divided into control group and two trial groups with 0,2 % or 0,4 % Progut™ in the feed. There were 10*5 birds in each trial group.

	Control	Progut 0,2%	Progut 0,4%	Significance
Laying- %	83,75	86,12	86,38	p<0,05
Egg weight, g	66,4	69,7	70,6	p<0,01
FCR kg/kg	2,16	1,99	1,97	p<0,05
Shell break resistance, g	4954	5201	5219

THE EFFECT OF PROGUTTM ON LAYER PERFORMANCE

In this trial egg production was improved with hens that were fed with feeds containing either 0.2 or 0.4 per cent Progut. Compared to the control group the egg laying percentage increased by 2.37 to 2.63 % units (p<0.05) while the average egg weight was increased by 3.32 to 4.16 g (p<0.01) and feed conversion ratio was lowered by 0.17-0.19 kg/kg (p<0.05), with no significant effect on egg quality. At the end of the second trial period pH in different parts of the gut was measured. As in many other trials gut pH with feeds containing Progut was lower than with control feeds.

Effect on PH with Layers

THE EFFECT OF PROGUT^TM ON PH IN LAYERS

Parameters	Group 1: control	Group 2 with 0.2% of Progut	Group 3 with 0.4% of Progut
Haemoglobin, g%	15.25	15.62	16.59
Total albumen, g%	6.48	6.28	5.41
Pyruvic acid, mg%	0.95	1.125	0.69
Glucose, mg%	149.23	149.23	155.77
Calcium, mg%	14.98	15.85	14.84
Phosphorus, mg%	6.51	7.85	6.69
Reserve alkalinity mg%	1320	1350	1350
Carotenoides, mg%	0.78	0.87	0.63

THE EFFECT OF PROGUT^TM ON BLOOD PH IN LAYERS

Conclusions

Following the feeding of feed containing 0.2 % Progut™, no changes were observed in the levels of Hb, total albumen, pyruvic acid or glucose in the blood, while there was a tendency for higher levels of Ca, P and reserve alkalinity. Similar results were observed in a broiler feeding trial at Sigra Research Center 2003 (results not presented here). With a higher dose (0.4 %) of Progut™ in the feed, the total levels of albumen, pyruvic acid and carotenoides tended to diminish, compared to the control group. This may be due to a too high dose of Progut™.