Research note: the effects of providing a sprouted barley supplement to laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) on egg production parameters and feather cover

Feed represents the primary cost in egg production systems. Although fibre comprises a small portion of poultry diets, it can play a crucial role in supporting gut health, improving litter quality, and reducing feather pecking. Sprouted grains, such as barley, provide a source of fibre along with additional nutritional benefits, yet their impact on laying hens' productivity and behaviour are not well documented. This study examined the effects of supplementing Lohmann's Brown hen diets with hydroponically sprouted barley (SB), offered at 0, 15, 30, or 45g/hen/day over six weeks on body weight, egg production, egg quality, feed intake, and feather damage as an indicator of feather pecking. Each treatment had six replicate pens of 5 hens each. Data were analyzed for the effects of supplemental SB, time (i.e., study day, week, or period), and their interaction. Despite high palatability and complete SB consumption, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in body weights, basal diet (BD) feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, most egg quality measures, or feather damage, although the highest level of SB tended to reduce BD intake while maintaining total dry matter intake. However, a significant effect of SB on eggshell strength was observed primarily due to an interaction between SB level and study day (P = 0.021). At day 21, eggs from hens on SB 15 and 45g/hen/day had reduced shell strength compared to those on SB 0 and 30, while at day 42, eggs from SB 0 hens showed greater shell strength than SB 15 hens. Feather damage worsened somewhat over the study period but was not related to SB treatment. In conclusion, most observed effects were attributed to the duration of the study rather than the level of SB inclusion. A larger-scale study using a single optimised SB level is warranted.