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Use of Medicinal Mushrooms in Layer Ration

Summary

This review discusses how medicinal mushrooms can be added to chicken feed to improve egg production and boost chicken health, offering a natural alternative to antibiotics. Several types of mushrooms like shiitake and oyster mushrooms have been shown to increase egg quality, strengthen immunity against diseases, and reduce cholesterol in eggs. These findings support the use of mushrooms as a sustainable solution for organic egg farming without compromising production or health.

Background

Antibiotics have been traditionally used as growth promoters and health enhancers in poultry production, but antibiotic resistance has led to restrictions on their use in developed countries. Medicinal mushrooms have emerged as natural alternatives to antibiotics in poultry feed, offering potential benefits for production performance and health status in laying hens.

Objective

This review aimed to determine the effects of different levels of medicinal mushrooms and their extracts in layer chicken diets on laying performance, egg quality, and health status. The study sought to clarify optimal inclusion levels and mechanisms of action of medicinal mushrooms in laying hens.

Results

Dietary supplementation with medicinal mushrooms sustained laying performance and improved immunity in laying hens. Studies showed improvements in egg weight, calcium retention, antibody titers against ND/IB/AI viruses, serum immunoglobulins, reduced pathogenic bacteria counts, and decreased egg yolk cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

Medicinal mushrooms can effectively serve as natural growth promoters and immune-boosting agents in layer birds, offering a viable alternative to antibiotics for organic egg production. However, further research is needed to establish optimal inclusion levels, mechanisms of action, and performance under pathogen challenge conditions.
  • Published in:Animals (Basel),
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 31766523, DOI: 10.3390/ani9121014
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