Feeding Hens: The Surprising Impact on Eggs and Bones

Let's talk about hens and their diets. Researchers recently looked into how different feeding times affect hens' egg production, eggshell quality, and bone health. They focused on 25-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens, dividing them into three groups with different feeding schedules. One group was fed twice a day, getting half of their standard diet in the morning and afternoon. Another group received two-thirds of their diet at the same times. The third group got different diets at each feeding time. The study found some interesting results. The group that ate two-thirds of their food in the morning and afternoon had a lower feed-to-egg ratio. This means they produced more eggs relative to the amount of food they ate. Their eggshells were also lighter, but the differences were not statistically significant. The structure of their eggshells varied, with differences in the papilla, barrier, and effective layers.Calcium and phosphorus levels in the hens' bones, eggshells, and waste also differed among the groups. The study looked at gene expression in the hens' intestines. The genes PMCA and CaBP-28K, which are involved in calcium transport, showed significant differences. This suggests that feeding times can affect how calcium is absorbed and used by the hens. So, what does this all mean? Well, it seems that feeding hens in segments throughout the day might help with calcium deposition in eggshells. This could reduce calcium loss from the bones and improve overall egg quality. In simpler terms, changing when and how hens are fed can make a big difference in the eggs they produce and their bone health. But here's a thought: while these findings are interesting, they only look at one breed of hen and one age group. It's important to consider that different breeds and ages might respond differently to these feeding strategies. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of feeding times on hens' health and egg production.