Effects of walnut green husk phenolic extract on laying performance,egg quality,and immune function in laying hens

YUN Jinyan; SUN Jiayin; LI Zhenfeng; WANG Ziji; ZHANG Linfeng; LI Wenlong; ZHANG Shuaiqi; YIN Baishuang

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.21.011

Abstract：This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with walnut green husk phenolic extract on the laying performance,egg quality,and immune function in laying hens.A total of 360 healthy 43-week-old Hyline brown laying hens weighing(1.8±0.1)kg were randomly divided into three groups,with eight replicates per group and 15 hens per replicate.The control group(group CON)was fed a basal diet,while experimental groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were supplemented with 0.5％and 1.0％walnut green husk phenolic extract in the basal diet,respectively.The pre-trial period lasted for seven days,and the formal trial period lasted for 60 days.The results showed that compared with group CON,there were no significant differences in laying rate,average daily feed intake,feed-to-egg ratio,and average egg weight among the experimental groups(P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in eggshell strength,eggshell thickness,yolk color,albumen height,and Haugh unit in each experimental group(P＞0.05),but the egg shape index was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The concentrations of immunoglobulin G(IgG)and complement C3 in the serum of group Ⅰ were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Experimental group Ⅰ showed significantly increased jejunal villus height(VH),and crypt depth(CD)in jejunum and ileum(P＜0.05),while the villus height to crypt depth ratio(VH/CD)in jejunum and ileum was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The study shows that dietary supplementation with walnut green husk phenolic extract has not negatively affected laying performance and egg quality,can effectively enhance immune function and optimize intestinal morphology in laying hens,with a recommended addition level of 0.5％.