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| D.M. Hooge, M. Kato, and K. Nishimura, 1Hooge Consulting Service, Inc., Eagle Mountain, UT, Calpis Company, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan, and Quality Technology International (QTI), Inc., Huntley, IL [new address Elgin, IL]. |
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| Abstract for Presentation at International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, GA, January 24-25, 2005 |
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| Bacillus subtilis C-3102 spores (Bs) in direct-fed microbial CALSPORIN®, are added to poultry diets to maintain normal intestinal microflora and support live performance. The proposed mode of action is that Bs spores vegetate and use oxygen, creating a more anaerobic condition which promotes proliferation of lactic acid producing bacteria (e.g., Lactobacilli). Besides inhibiting certain pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella), this condition appears to increase utilization of calcium. U.S. Patent 6,660,294 (Dec. 9, 2003) was awarded to this "Poultry Eggshell Strengthening Composition", and trials cited in the patent application showed +5.2% average shell thickness improvement. Caged Hy-Line W-36 hen field trials were conducted in the U.S. midwest with 0 or 0.003% Bs spores (CALSPORIN®, 0.05% level) in feed, and microbes in fresh feces and egg breaking strength (EBS) or shell thickness (60 eggs/sampling) were determined. In Exp. 1 (~140,000 hens/flock) at Site 1 (57 wk old), EBS was 3.26 kg (5 wk, 8 samplings) "before" and 3.33 kg (7 wk, 9 samplings) "during" Bs addition, with 3.20 kg expected (linear regression); est. +0.13 kg with Bs. At site 2 (94 wk old, molted), EBS was 3.08 kg (8 wk) "before" and 3.23 kg (7 wk) "during" (P < 0.01), with 3.09 kg expected; est. + 0.14 kg increase. In Exp. 2 (~84,230 hens; 57 wk old), shell thickness in microns were: "before" 321 (5 wk), "during" 331 (7 wk), "Bsremoved" 313 (2 wk), and "added again" 324 (9 wk). In some fecal samples prior to Bssupplementation, Lactobacilli/Total Anaerobes (cfu Log10/g) ratio was considerably below 50%, the desirable threshold level. The Bs improved shell quality. |
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| Key Words: Bacillus subtilis, Calsporin, Direct-fed Microbial, Layer, Shell Quality |
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Egg shell quality is a continual challenge for the egg industry worldwide despite improvements in genetics and nutrition of laying hens. Only one feed additive, Terramycin (oxytetracycline), an antibiotic, has received FDA approval for enhancing egg shell quality. That approval was given decades ago, possibly under less rigorous scrutiny than today, and the product is not used much, if any, commercially for this purpose because its performance claim is somewhat questionable. Egg shell quality affects marketability, hatchability, and bacterial contamination of internal contents. A decline in egg shell quality increases the number of undergrades causing losses to the egg processors and producers.
Through these field trials, dietary Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (CALSPORIN® 0.05% level providing spores at 30 ppm in complete feed) had a significant positive effect (p<0.01) on egg shell breaking strength and reduced the decline in egg shell thickness in spite of aging in the flocks. Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (CALSPORIN®) was found to be a beneficial feed supplement to caged laying hens for improving egg shell quality under commercial conditions. |
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