LAUSR

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of dietary inclusion of silicic acid powder containing bamboo vinegar liquid (SPV) on production performance, egg quality, intestinal microflora, and alterations of intestinal villi in laying hens. Eighty ISA Brown hens were randomly divided into four treatment groups, with five replicates per treatment and four hens per replicate. They were fed ad libitum, a basal diet supplemented with SPV at 0, 2, 4, or 6 g kg-1 level, for 16 wk. Egg production significantly increased with the 2 g kg-1 SPV diet for hens of 34–37 wk old, while egg mass was highest for hens fed the 2 g kg-1 SPV diet in 38–41 wk age range (P < 0.05). Internal and external egg qualities were not significantly affected by SPV (P > 0.10). In the ileal content, populations of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. tended to decrease in the SPV-supplemented groups compared with the control group (P < 0.10). Villus height of jejunum and villus area of duodenum and jejunum were highest in the hens fed the 2 g kg-1 SPV diet (P < 0.05). The present results indicate that dietary SPV at 2 g kg-1 could stimulate intestinal functions, decrease ileal pathogenic bacteria counts, and result in higher egg production performance.