Di2-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 11, 1996 MIDNIGHT FEEDING OF COMMERCIAL LAYING HENS EVALUATED FOR EGG SHELL QUALITY Paul H. Patterson Assistant Professor Department of Poultry Science Economic losses from cracked and broken eggs continues to be a major problem facing the com mercial egg industry. Reports from the United States and Europe would suggest that between 6.4 and 6.7 percent of eggs produced are either lost or not collected because of poor shell quality. A recent study conducted by Table 1. Egg specific gravity from hens in four comparisons with one half fed at midnight. (Experiment 1) Specific gravity* Specific gravity Hen age (wk) Midnight feeding* 9 am eggs 3 pm eggs 40 Yes 849* 857* 36 No 830 832 56 Yes 839 874* 52 No 834 859 62 Yes 833 829 58 No 823 864 65 Yes 828 815 a 61 No 824 827 Yes indicates hens were fed at midnight and specific gravity was measured 4 days later. 'Specific gravity units coded I.oxxx. ’lndicates measurements differ significantly (P<0.05) from day 1. end of both houses. However, In Experiment 2, egg shell qual- in 8 71,000 hens each). There was shell weight was not affected in ity was measured before initiating an improvement in shell weight, the warm end of the houses CTable the midnight feeding program in percent shell weight per unit sur- 2). two cool-cell pad houses (contain- face area (SWUSA) in the cool Table 2. Egg weight and quality from two flocks fed at midnight (Experiment 2) Treatment House Location* 1 • Cool 1 Warm 2 Cool Warm indicates cool or warm end of the hen house. B Day lis the day the experiment started and day 4is four days later. c Shell weight per unit of surface area. ‘lndicates that these data differ significantly (p<0.05) from day 1 In Experiment 3, comparisons land after 4 °. f midnight however, percent shell and SWU wcre made in two pairs of houses, feeding. Shell weight was SA were not affected. Egg shell quality was measured on increased with both comparisons. Table 3. Egg weight and quality from four flocks when two were fed at midnight. Feed program Control Egg wt Shell wt Percent (g) (g) shell 67.9 6.12 9.03 66.7* 6.01* 9.02 66.3 5.91 8.91 68.2* 6.03* 8.87 56.4 4.98 8.85 57.2 5.00 8.76 57.0 5.12 9.00 58.4 5.27* 8.99 A Day lis thd day Ihe experiment was started and day 4is four days later. •Indicates the hens were given feed at midnight 'lndicates that these data differ significantly (p<0.05) from day,l. Day* Midnight Control Midnight researchers at the University of Florida attempted to determine whether hens would consume feed and improve egg shell quality when lights and feeders were allowed to run for 45 minutes at midnight (Harms, Douglas and Sloan, 1996, Journal of Applied Poultry Research, vol. 5 pp, 1-5). The premise of their study was to provide calcium from the feed for egg shell formation after mid night when most of the shell is being formed. Previous work had determined that 87 percent of the dietary calcium carbonate was metered out of the hen’s gizzard between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. with very little available at night Shell wt Day* (Experiment 3) Age (wk) 44 Strain Delta Delta W-36 W-36 Three field experiments were conducted to determine the influ ence of midnight feeding on egg shell quality of commercial hens. Experiment 1 consisted of four houses containing 90,000 hens each which received feed at mid night. Four other houses served as control houses. Specific gravity (which indicates shell density and strenght with higher values) increase on eggs collected at 9 a.m. from hens fed at midnight in all four comparisons but only one was significantly improved (Table 1). Specific gravity of eggs col lected at 3 p.m. were significantly improved in three of the four comparisons. Percent shell (%) 8.67 9.05* 9.05 8.91 8.91 8.89 9.34' 8.71 9.04* SWUSA C 73.4 76.7* 75.8 74.8 74.8 76.3 79.6* 75.2 77.1 The authors concluded that midnight feeding can improve egg shell quality. They felt it is neces sary to both turn on the lights and run the automatic feeder in order to stimulate the hens to consume feed. Prior attempts to stimulate feed intake with laying hens main tained in open houses and fed by hand were found to be of no bene fit because the hens were not sti mulated to eat just by hand feed ing. Midnight feeding apparently can be more beneficial for impro ving egg shell quality of eggs laid in the morning than for eggs laid On March 20, the West Friend ship 4-H Livestock Club held its monthly meeting. Anthony Fleg have an interest ing and informative project talk on beekeeping. This demonstration included the habits, use, and necessity of honey bees. Anthony also brought a hive for the members to examine. Another highly commendable demonstration was given by Steve Allison, Lauren Paper, and Rachel Reinhardt on the selection of market lambs. They explained what to look for when selecting a project animal, such as a long thick loin and a well-muscled leg. Before the meeting, many members attended a workshop to learn how to complete their pro ject workbooks. The workbooks are new in the livestock area and are a fun and enjoyable way to learn about the many aspects of raising livestock. On April 17, the West Friend ship 4-H Livestock Club held its monthly meeting. Before the busi ness meeting, the members gathered outdoors and were treated to an excellent program on sheep showmanship given by Mary Rfeinhardt and Lyndasy Glasscock. Lyndasy brought one of her sheep, and demonstrated the proper way to hold and brace the animal. Maty discussed show ring etiquette and what to expect in the show ring. After the meeting, Cortney Hill-Dukehart gave a very infor mative project talk on beef cattle. Cortney explained how to halter brake a steer, and prepare him for a show, while blending in a won derful sense of humor. Adult Volunteer and Swine Project Leader J.G. Warfield held a Swine Selection Workshop for the West Friendship 4-H Lives tock Club on Sunday, April 21. He has been breeding and raising pigs for many years, and gave a very interesting and informative work shop. His daughter Andrea and bis son Ben ate members of the West Friendship 4-H Livestock Club, and both are involved in swine. Several members were present, and the many aspects of swine selection were discussed. Egg wt (g) 62.3 62.3 60.0 60.4 60.4 65.1 63.8* 66.4 63.8* SWUSA 78.5 78.0 77.0 77.2 72.8 72.4 74.3 74.9 The West Friendship 4-H Livestock Club, and the West Friendship Always in Action 4-H Club will have a food booth at the CB Rally on May 26. They will be serving a full array of food and beverages. The two clubs would like to thank the Glcnnwood Lions Club for allowing them the use of their facilities during the CB Rally. The West Friendship 4-H livestock Club will also be selling tickets for a 50/50 raffle through- West Friendship 4-H in the afternoon. While the results are plausible in terms of coordinating shell for mation with feeding calcium, are encouraging and suggest a posi tive response for shell quality, I would caution anyone that these were only short term evaluations e.g. impact all within one week’s time. What the long term impact of these programs is remains to be seen. Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied. out the year, prior to the drawing at the Howard county Fair. Half of the proceeds go to the club, and the other half goes to the winner of the drawing. The proceeds from these fun draisers benefit the West Friend ship 4-H Livestock Club and the West Friendship Always in Action 4-H Club. This support enables them to make donations to 4-H related causes, continue doing community service, and “Make the Best Better!" The West Friendship 4-H Livestock Club is being recog nized as an outstanding 4-H club by the University of Md. Coopera tive Extension Service. The West Friendship 4-H Livestock Club will receive their plaque at the state 4-H recognition program held at the Maryland State Fair grounds, Timonium, Md., in the Horse Sales Pavilion, on June 30. York County 4-H Members Participate In State Rabbit Convention Three members of the 'York County 4-H Rabbit and Small Animal Club participated in the youth royalty and educational contests and the rabbit show on April 27-28 at the State Rabbit Convention he<d at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. Rijelle Kraft, Manchester, was first runner-up in the state duchess contest. She also was awarded second place in the state for her educational display on 'Hie Ten Top Reasons To Buy A Rabbit’ Rijelle also showed a best of variety French Lop in the rabbit show. Melissa Stough, Glen Rock, also participated in the duchess contest and showed the best of breed mini-lop in the show. Lucas Kraft, Manchester, showed the best of variety Dutch Rabbit Conodoguinet Sheep Club The third meeting of the Cono doguinet Sheep Club was held on April 17 at Francine Martin’s house. A video entitled, “Harvesting Your Wool Crop” was watched, and Mrs. Witter gave a program called, “Are EWE Ready For Spring." The benefit auction was dis cussed, and items were turned in. If you still have items to be turned in. call Mrs. Witter. The cookie and candy orders were also turned in to Mrs. Myers. Speeches were given by Linnca Hoover and Sonya Rinker. There will be a Quiz Bowl in October with the Livestock Club. The next meeting will be held at Zach Reed’s house on May 15.
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