Immune function, egg quality and production responses in layer hens fed two different lignocellulose fibre supplements during the early laying period

The effects on immune function and egg productivity of 2 commercial lignocellulose supplements with similar insoluble and soluble fibre concentrations and water holding capacities, were determined in Hy-Line Brown hens from 20 weeks-of-age for 8 weeks. Hens were fed 1 of 3 diets (6 pens/diet, 3 hens/pen): Control diet – a commercial layer diet; Diet LC1 - Control diet plus 1.5 g Arbocel RC fine/100 g diet; Diet LC2, Control diet plus 1.5 g OptiCell C5/100 g diet. After 4 weeks, heterophil phagocytosis index and percentage (innate immunity), was greater in LC1 (p < 0.05) than Controls. After 8 weeks, absolute and relative weights (g/100 g BW) of LC1 thymus glands were heavier (p < 0.05) than Control; numbers of intestinal Peyer’s patches in LC1 were greater (p < 0.05) than LC2 and Control; total and relative areas of LC1 Peyer’s patches were higher (p < 0.05) than Control. Yolk immunoglobulin Y concentrations of LC1 were higher but not significantly, than Control and LC2. Between 6 and 8 weeks, egg weights and eggs produced/hen per d of LC1 hens were greater (p < 0.05) than Controls. Feeding LC1, but not LC2, during early lay significantly improved immune function and egg productivity compared to Control. As dietary fibre concentrations of LC1 and LC2 were similar, differences in their relative concentrations of chemical components such as cellulose and lignin or types of polysaccharides, may have contributed to the improvements during early lay.