ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2023 55 Figure 3. Evolution of villi height and crypt depth with the addition of Adimix Precision in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum in laying hens butyrate-dependent effects throughout the entire digestive tract, thus helping hens get the most out of butyrate. By improving intestinal health (Figure 3), Adimix Precision can sustain performance and egg quality of aged layer hens. The increase of villi height combined with a decrease of crypt depth allows for a bigger exchange surface of the intestinal wall, and thus a better absorption of nutrients. The laying percentage in standard conditions can be improved by 1.1 % and the FCR can be reduced by 2.6 % compared to control groups for layers aged between 59 and 74 weeks. Adimix Precision can even perform better in challenging conditions such as heat stress for instance. As laying hens get older, the percentage of cracked eggs increases. But by including Adimix Precision in the diet, this tendency is reduced from 1.56 to 1.18%. This can be explained by the improvement in eggshell quality (Figure 4). There is a greater amount of shell on the egg, which reduces the likelihood of cracks and increases the number of saleable eggs. Adimix Precision can also reduce the proportion of dirty eggs. The causes of dirty eggs include, health status, diet, hygiene plan and age. In this trial, Adimix Precision reduced the proportion of dirty eggs from 3.12 to 1.32% (p < 0.05). Conclusion As laying hens get older, quantity and quality of eggs can decline. However, by optimizing the digestive performance (Adimix® Precision) and antioxidant status (Selisseo®) of hens, persistent lays can be sustained. Figure 4. The effect of Adimix Precision on different measurements of egg quality
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