Yalovenko ID, Lebedev SV.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026. Vol. 109. No. 3. Р. 294-305.

doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-109-3-294

Original article

 

Comparative analysis of the effect of different types of fiber on zootechnical indicators and chemical and morphological properties of laying hen eggs

 

Ivan D Yalovenko1, Svyatoslav V Lebedev2

1,2Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia

1yalovenko-02@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8812-2257

2lsv74@list.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9485-7010

Abstract. The aim of the research is to establish the effect of four fiber sources – insoluble dietary fibers (microcrystalline cellulose, Arbocel) and soluble dietary fibres (Fibraxin, Fitomucil) – included in the diet on the chemical‑morphological and quality characteristics of eggs and the zootechnical performance of laying hens of the Highsex Brown cross during the period of 300-390 days. The birds in the control group received a standard diet (ARRTPI, 2015), while the experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with the studied additives, replacing 3% of wheat bran. The effectiveness of Fitomucil and Arbocel was demonstrated by a 9.3% and 8.8% reduction in feed costs per 1 kg of egg mass and an increase in total egg weight by 9.3% and 8.5%, respectively, relative to the control. All tested additives had a positive effect on the content of fat‑soluble vitamins, particularly vitamin E and carotenoids. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and Fibraxin showed the highest vitamin A content, with increases of 24% and 17,3%, respectively. The highest carotenoid content (60% increase) was observed in Group II (fed Arbocel), along with elevated vitamin E levels. Thus, the inclusion of Arbocel and Fitomucil resulted in high egg production and feed-to-product conversion, along with increased egg weight, positive Haugh Units, and optimal yolk and albumen indices, with no negative changes in shell thickness or excess fat accumulation. The group supplemented with Fibraxin, on the other hand, demonstrated high egg quality despite decreased egg production.

Keywords: laying hens, feeding, fiber, feed additive, egg production, egg quality, feed conversion

Acknowledgments: the work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Project       No. 25-16-00259.

For citation: Yalovenko ID, Lebedev SV. Comparative analysis of the effect of different types of fiber on zootechnical indicators and chemical and morphological properties of laying hen eggs. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026;109(3):294-305. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.33284/2658-3135-109-3-294

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Information about the authors:

Ivan D Yalovenko, Junior Researcher of the Laboratory of Precision Technologies in Agriculture, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29, 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, Orenburg region, Russia, 460000, tel.: 89033992127.

Svyatoslav V Lebedev, Dr Sci. (Biology), Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leading Researcher of the Laboratory of Biological Tests and Examinations, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29, 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, Orenburg region, Russia, 460000, tel.: 89123458738.

The article was submitted 10.06.2026; approved after reviewing 28.07.2026; accepted for publication 14.09.2026.

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