Role of a Precision Biotic Fed to Dekalb White Laying Hens at Peak Production

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of two levels of a precision biotic (PB) within a reduced CP diet for performance, digestibility, and blood biomarkers in Dekalb White laying hens from 24 to 42 weeks of age. A total of four diets were fed: (1) an industry-standard positive co...

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Main Authors: ElsiAnna Rodewald, Brooke Jasek, Li Zhang, Stacey Roberts, Cristiano Bortoluzzi, Pratima Adhikari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2095
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author ElsiAnna Rodewald
Brooke Jasek
Li Zhang
Stacey Roberts
Cristiano Bortoluzzi
Pratima Adhikari
author_facet ElsiAnna Rodewald
Brooke Jasek
Li Zhang
Stacey Roberts
Cristiano Bortoluzzi
Pratima Adhikari
author_sort ElsiAnna Rodewald
collection DOAJ
description The objective of this study was to determine the effects of two levels of a precision biotic (PB) within a reduced CP diet for performance, digestibility, and blood biomarkers in Dekalb White laying hens from 24 to 42 weeks of age. A total of four diets were fed: (1) an industry-standard positive control (PC) diet with a formulated CP level of 17.5%; (2) a negative control (NC) diet with a formulated CP level of 15.5%; (3) NC with 0.5 kg/ton PB (NC+PB1); (4) NC with 0.7 kg/ton PB (NC+PB2). The NC diet decreased hen–day egg production compared to the PC diet, and supplementation with both levels of PB led to intermediate levels of production. There was a similar trend for the feed conversion ratio (FCR), measured in kilograms of feed per dozen eggs. Feed cost was lower in the reduced CP diets compared to the PC. Apparent total tract digestibility was decreased with PB supplementation without differences in apparent ileal digestibility. The increased plasma uric acid levels in the NC+PB2 group suggest a shift in protein metabolism toward higher efficiency in ammonia detoxification. While more research is needed on PB, this research suggests that supplementation with PB in laying hens could potentially improve performance parameters.
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spelling doaj-art-8f5d4620259d41369567c40bc8bb927e2025-08-20T03:13:36ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011514209510.3390/ani15142095Role of a Precision Biotic Fed to Dekalb White Laying Hens at Peak ProductionElsiAnna Rodewald0Brooke Jasek1Li Zhang2Stacey Roberts3Cristiano Bortoluzzi4Pratima Adhikari5Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USAdsm-firmenich, Animal Nutrition and Health, North America, Belvidere, NJ 07823, USADepartment of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USAVersova Management, Sioux Center, IA 51250, USAdsm-firmenich, Animal Nutrition and Health, 4303 Kaiseraugst, SwitzerlandDepartment of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USAThe objective of this study was to determine the effects of two levels of a precision biotic (PB) within a reduced CP diet for performance, digestibility, and blood biomarkers in Dekalb White laying hens from 24 to 42 weeks of age. A total of four diets were fed: (1) an industry-standard positive control (PC) diet with a formulated CP level of 17.5%; (2) a negative control (NC) diet with a formulated CP level of 15.5%; (3) NC with 0.5 kg/ton PB (NC+PB1); (4) NC with 0.7 kg/ton PB (NC+PB2). The NC diet decreased hen–day egg production compared to the PC diet, and supplementation with both levels of PB led to intermediate levels of production. There was a similar trend for the feed conversion ratio (FCR), measured in kilograms of feed per dozen eggs. Feed cost was lower in the reduced CP diets compared to the PC. Apparent total tract digestibility was decreased with PB supplementation without differences in apparent ileal digestibility. The increased plasma uric acid levels in the NC+PB2 group suggest a shift in protein metabolism toward higher efficiency in ammonia detoxification. While more research is needed on PB, this research suggests that supplementation with PB in laying hens could potentially improve performance parameters.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2095egg massfeed conversionhen–day egg productionlaying henprecision biotic
spellingShingle ElsiAnna Rodewald
Brooke Jasek
Li Zhang
Stacey Roberts
Cristiano Bortoluzzi
Pratima Adhikari
Role of a Precision Biotic Fed to Dekalb White Laying Hens at Peak Production
Animals
egg mass
feed conversion
hen–day egg production
laying hen
precision biotic
title Role of a Precision Biotic Fed to Dekalb White Laying Hens at Peak Production
title_full Role of a Precision Biotic Fed to Dekalb White Laying Hens at Peak Production
title_fullStr Role of a Precision Biotic Fed to Dekalb White Laying Hens at Peak Production
title_full_unstemmed Role of a Precision Biotic Fed to Dekalb White Laying Hens at Peak Production
title_short Role of a Precision Biotic Fed to Dekalb White Laying Hens at Peak Production
title_sort role of a precision biotic fed to dekalb white laying hens at peak production
topic egg mass
feed conversion
hen–day egg production
laying hen
precision biotic
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2095
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AT brookejasek roleofaprecisionbioticfedtodekalbwhitelayinghensatpeakproduction
AT lizhang roleofaprecisionbioticfedtodekalbwhitelayinghensatpeakproduction
AT staceyroberts roleofaprecisionbioticfedtodekalbwhitelayinghensatpeakproduction
AT cristianobortoluzzi roleofaprecisionbioticfedtodekalbwhitelayinghensatpeakproduction
AT pratimaadhikari roleofaprecisionbioticfedtodekalbwhitelayinghensatpeakproduction