Organic acids and microencapsulated phenolic compounds in diets for laying hens

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated organic acids and phenolic compounds in laying hens. The experiment was conducted with 500 Novogen Brown laying hens from 30 weeks of age. Birds were assigned to five treatments with 10 replicates of 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of: CD = control diet; 200AD1 = 200 g/t additive 1; 500AD1 = 500 g/t additive 1; 200AD2 = 200 g/t additive 2; and 500AD2 = 500 g/t additive 2. Productive performance, egg quality, organ pH and relative organ weight, intestinal histomorphometry, and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. Treatment means were compared using the Tukey test at a 5% significance level. Dietary supplementation affected productive performance, egg quality, gastrointestinal morphology, and selected serum biochemical indicators. Birds receiving 500AD1 and 500AD2 showed higher egg production compared with those receiving 200AD2, whereas egg weight was lower in 500AD2 compared with 200AD1. Egg quality traits were also influenced, with greater eggshell thickness observed in 200AD2 and improved yolk index in 200AD2 and 500AD2 compared with the control diet. Relative weights of digestive organs, including gizzard, small intestine, pancreas, and proventriculus, were generally higher in birds receiving 200AD2. Cecal pH was reduced in 500AD1 compared with the other treatments. Intestinal histomorphometry showed significant alterations in villus structure, absorptive area, and goblet cell counts across intestinal segments, with 500AD2 frequently associated with higher villus:crypt ratios and greater ileal villus height. Serum biochemical parameters were also affected, including uric acid, γ-glutamyl transferase, calcium, and phosphorus. In summary, supplementation with microencapsulated organic acids and phenolic compounds modulated productive performance, egg quality, and intestinal physiology in laying hens. Higher inclusion levels, particularly 500AD2, were associated with more favorable intestinal morphometric responses and productive outcomes, whereas 200AD2 appeared to promote structural adaptations of the gastrointestinal tract. These findings highlight the potential of microencapsulated acidifier phytogenic blends as nutritional strategies to support intestinal functionality and productive efficiency in laying hens.