Theses and Dissertations
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8136-8717
Advisor
Acharya Adhikari, Pratima
Committee Member
Zhang, Li
Committee Member
Wyatt, Craig
Committee Member
Boltz, Timothy
Committee Member
Wamsley, Kelley
Date of Degree
5-16-2025
Original embargo terms
Embargo 1 year
Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Major
Agricultural Science (Poultry Science)
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department
Department of Poultry Science
Abstract
Almond hulls (AH) are a by-product of the almond nut processing rich mainly in insoluble fiber. Addition of fiber in the diet has been shown positive results in performance in poultry. However, scientific literature on the use of AH in poultry is limited. The objective of this dissertation was to determine the effect of the supplementation of ground AH and cellulase-xylanase carbohydrase enzyme (E) inclusions on performance, egg quality, ileal nutrients digestibility, jejunum gene expression and ceca microbiota of Lohmann LSL-Lite pullets and laying hens from 0 to 70 weeks of age. Chapter I describe the knowledge on the composition and effects of AH on performance and digestibility as well as the effects of fiber supplementation in the diet of poultry. In Chapter II, the study on supplementation of AH at 3%, 6%, and 9% and E throughout the pullet phase (4-16 weeks of age) showed that up to 9% AH, the overall FI, BW, ADG, FCR and body uniformity and CP digestibility was not affect by AH supplementation. Pullets during the grower phase increased their FI at 3% AH than at 6% or 9%AH when added E, and FCR decreased at 6 and 9% without reducing BW. In addition, gene expression of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) increased in hens fed 5% AH, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect of AH in the jejunum tissue, while ceca microbiota population was unaffected in all groups. In Chapter III, the study on supplementation of AH at 5%, 10%, and 15% and E in laying hens from 22 to 40 weeks of age showed that supplementation of AH at 5% and E, did not negatively affect FI and egg production. The addition of higher levels of AH (10% and 15%) and E reduced FI, and at 15% AH, FCR was reduced without BW reduction. Ceca increased its relative weight at 15% AH. Digestibility of CP was increased at 5% and decreased at higher inclusions. In Chapter IV, the evaluation on the addition of AH at 5%, 10%, and 15% and E in laying hens from 44 to 70 weeks of age indicated that supplementation of AH at 5% and E, did not negatively affect FI and egg production. However, higher AH levels (10% and 15%) reduced BW and FI, while increasing FCR and unsellable eggs when AH was used as the sole energy source. Eggshell quality decreased with AH inclusion at 10% and 15% compared to the control group. Digestibility of GE was increased at 5% AH but declined at higher levels. From 22 to 70 weeks, the ileal gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, tight junction proteins, and mucin synthesis genes, along with ceca microbiota composition remained similar to the control group. In conclusion, AH inclusion of up to 9% in pullets does not negatively impact performance or intestinal health, while supplementation with 5% AH and E during the production phase is comparable to a conventional diet.
Sponsorship (Optional)
Almond Board of California
Recommended Citation
Cribillero Chuquihuaccha, Nelly Giovanna, "Evaluating the feeding value of almond hulls and the supplementation of carbohydrases on performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility and intestinal health in LSL-Lite hens" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 6474.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6474
