Alfalfa‐Based Dehydrated Silage Pellet as a Source of Nutrients in Laying Hens: I. Effects on Animal Performance and Egg Quality

This experiment aimed to determine the effect of incorporating 10% (w/w) Alfalfa-based deshydrated Silage Pellets (ABSP) into a commercial control diet on the production performance of Novogen Brown light layers. Twenty-one-week-old hens were divided into two groups (control-C and treatment-T) using a randomized block design, and the experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Feed intake, live weight and egg parameters were measured weekly. Weight gain was slightly lower in the T group, whereas the feed conversion ratio was improved (p < 0.05). Laying rate was similar in both groups. Yolk colour intensity was significantly increased (p < 0.001), along with an improvement in the yolk's fatty acid profile, showing lower SFA, higher ω-3 PUFA and an increased ω-6 to ω-3 ratio (p < 0.001). Gut microbial communities were analysed through 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. The results indicated that bacterial diversity was significantly lower at the genus level (p < 0.01) in the T group. Positive effects were observed on beneficial bacteria abundance, especially Lactobacillus spp., and with a reduction in potentially pathogenic bacteria. These findings suggest that ABSP can replace at least 10% of feed in organic layer diet without compromising production parameters and with positive effects on yolk quality and gut microbial communities.