Extruded Cassava-Based Corn Analogs Improve Nutrient Digestibility, Gut Health, Intestinal Histology, and Egg Performance in Late-Phase Laying Hens

This study evaluated extruded cassava-based corn analogs as a dietary replacement for yellow corn in laying hens. A total of 180 Hy-Line Brown hens (60 weeks old) were allocated to four dietary treatments for 10 weeks. Treatments included a standard corn diet (T1), 100% non-extruded analog (T2), 50% extruded analog (T3), and 100% extruded analog replacement (T4). Thermomechanical extrusion significantly increased starch gelatinization to 88.50% and decreased water activity to 0.42. Hens fed the T4 diet achieved the highest apparent ileal starch digestibility (92.1%) and digestible energy (3063 kcal/kg). The T4 group also exhibited increased jejunal villus height compared to the T2 group. Metabolically, this coincided with elevated circulating serum triglycerides and total cholesterol, without disrupting glucose homeostasis. Consequently, the T4 group achieved the highest average egg weight, while maintaining egg mass, yolk weight, and feed conversion ratio at levels statistically comparable to the T1 control. In contrast, the T2 diet resulted in lower starch digestibility, reduced jejunal villus height, and increased cecal volatile fatty. Complete replacement with extruded cassava-based analogs maintains nutrient assimilation and productive performance relative to standard corn. This strategy provides a viable alternative to diversify global feed ingredient sourcing.