Gera, Germany (July 01, 2017) – This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing laying hen drinking water with mineral additive Sanbio SANA on laying performance, egg quality, profitability. 1,100 Lohmann Brown Lite laying hens were supplied 70g experimental feed additive into 236 L drinking water per day. The flock has been reached his end of lifetime at the start of trial. Normally, the flock would be slaughtered. The aim of this study is to investigate if the flock use period could be prolonged due to supplementing. This study was conducted at an egg layer farm in the Thuringia province, Germany, which works according the high-level organic standard ´Naturland´. Feed and water were available ad libitum.
1. Materials and methods
Table 1. Basic data
| Responsible organization | Meister Biowaren |
| Location | Gera-Cretzschwitz, Thuringia, Germany |
| Standard | Organic farming standard BIOLAND |
| Species | Laying hens |
| Number | 1,110 pcs |
| Breed | Lohmann, brown |
| Experimental product | Feed additive Sanbio SANA, manufactured by SANBOS GmbH, Germany |
| Application | Apply with drinking water |
| Rate | 70g in 236 L water per day |
| Start of trial | 2016-07-20 |
| Start of supplementation | 2017-04-01 |
| End of trial | 2017-05-31 |
| Supplementation | 61 days |
| Trial period | 315 days |
A=Standard life-cycle of flock, downward trend at the end
B=Normally slaughtering of flock at end of life-cycle-point
=Starting supplementation of SANA
C=Recovery of egg production
D=Time period of extended egg production (15% more eggs)
=Reduced rate of cracked eggs (9.2% less)
Figure 1. Time course of egg-laying rate considering 315 days
Figure 2. Egg rate of extended production period of flock compared to standard production period
Figure 3. Number of cracked eggs
Figure 4: Profitability of Sanbio SANA on extension of production period of egg-laying hens (EUR), EUR=Currency EURO
3. Conclusion
To summarize, the present study showed significantly positive effects of Sanbio SANA with the dosage of 0.03% of drinking water volume (resp. 70g per 236 Liters of water) on productive performance.
The positive effects at a glance:
- No negative health relevant effects
- Safety and tolerance when used dietary additions
- Balancing of egg-laying rate
- Extension of production period (+15% more eggs)
- Reduction of cracked egg rate (-9.1%)
- Profitability of supplementation (ROI 1:3.7)
- Better exploitation of the investment.
4. Photographs
Figure 5: Modern barn with outdoor enclosure
Figure 6: Indoor feeding system
Figure 7: Indoor water supply system and egg collecting system
Figure 8: Additional supply of hay
Figure 9: Hatchery
Figure 10: Outdoor area