Effects of Chito-oligosaccharide Supplementation on Egg Production, Nutrient Digestibility, Egg Quality and Blood Profiles in Laying Hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with chito-oligosccharide (COS) on egg production, nutrient digestibility, egg quality and blood profiles in laying hens. A total of 240 Hy-line Brown laying hens were randomly allocated into one of the following 5 dietary treatments: i) CON, basal diet; ii) ANT, basal diet+44 mg/kg avilamycin; iii) COS0.2, basal diet+200 mg/kg COS; iv) COS0.4, basal diet+400 mg/kg COS; v) ANTCOS, basal diet+200 mg/kg COS+22 mg/kg avilamycin. The experiment lasted for 6 wk. No change in egg weight (p>0.05) was observed during the trial period. Egg production in ANTCOS treatment was improved (p<0.05) when compared to CON during weeks 4-6. The birds in the COS0.2, COS0.4 and ANTCOS groups had higher (p<0.05) Haugh unit than those fed CON and ANT diets at the end of the 6 wk. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen in CON group was lower (p<0.05) than in other treatments. The white blood cell (WBC) concentration of birds in the COS0.4 and ANTCOS group was higher (p<0.05) than that of birds in other groups at the end of the 6 wk. In addition, the differences of WBC counts between the beginning and end of the experiment in COS0.4 and ANTCOS groups were higher (p<0.05) than in CON and ANT groups. At the end of the experiment, the birds fed ANTCOS diet showed higher (p<0.05) total blood protein concentration than those fed CON or ANT diets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of COS appeared to increase egg production and quality by increasing nutrient digestibility. Additionally, COS improved WBC and total protein concentration. (