Conference paper
Effect of the addition of plant origin 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside on the production parameters in broiler breeder flock
Željko Gottstein
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
*
Josip Miljković
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Lana Pađen
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Dalibor Bedeković
orcid.org/0000-0002-7418-3968
; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Kathrin Bühler
; Herbonis Animal Health GmbH, Augst BL, Switzerland
Danijela Horvatek Tomić
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jasna Aladrović
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Liča Lozica
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Vitamin D has a number of important roles in the body, acting as an immunomodulator, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance, but one of the most important roles is the regulation of calcium and phosphorus levels. In the hen, homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus and the quality of skeletal system have a direct impact on egg laying and eggshell quality. This is particularly significant in broiler breeder flocks, since the quality of the shell decreases intensively towards the end of production, and it plays an extremely important role during incubation, as well as in the number and quality of hatched chicks. The aim of this research is to monitor production parameters, i.e., values related to egg quality, laying and mortality, after the addition of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside of plant origin to the feed of broiler breeder hens. The research was conducted on 10,000 Ross 308 broiler breeder hens during which 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside of plant origin was mixed into the feed of the experimental group, while control group was fed commercial feed, according to the recommendations of genetics. During this 5-week research, the values of laying rate and mortality were recorded. Samples of 30 randomly selected eggs per experimental and control flock were taken on three occasions, i.e., on day 14, 25 and 35 after administration of the preparation. Egg samples were analysed for width, height and egg shape index, weight of eggs, yolk and albumen, Haugh units (HU), shell strength and thickness, and yolk colour. The results indicated that the laying rate in the experimental group was not higher than that in the control group, and in the period from week 56 to week 61, it was 61.8% on average, while in the control group it was 62.98%. Mortality in the same period was 0.56% in the experimental group and 0.67% in the control group. Egg quality parameters showed significantly higher values of height, width and egg shape index in the experimental group on day 35 after the application of the preparation, with approximately similar weight. The mass of yolk was significantly higher in the experimental group on day 35, while the mass of albumen was slightly higher in the control group, and HU units were so in the experimental group. Also, on day 35, a significantly higher shell strength and thickness was found in the experimental group, as well as the intensity of the yolk colour in the experimental group throughout the study. The above results show that the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside of plant origin is significant, primarily on egg quality parameters, and possibly on general health through lower mortality, while the effect on laying itself is not visible. A better effect on the production parameters in the breeding flock is directly expected through better quality of the eggs, primarily the shell and yolk weight, i.e., the weight of the chicks after laying and better hatchability.
Keywords
vitamin D3; 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside; broiler breeder hens; production parameters; egg quality; shell strength
Hrčak ID:
348316
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2026.
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