Introduction

Orego-Stim® is used in commercial layer farms worldwide for higher egg production and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. Orego-Stim also improves growth and uniformity of pullets, egg shell quality and reduces the proportion of lower quality eggs.

Disease Control

Orego-Stim prevents and controls coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis, infections from pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and E. coli. Orego-Stim reduces incidence of egg peritonitis in layers, gastroenteritis and diarrhoea. A trial studied the effects of Orego-Stim on the growth performance and histopathology of layer chicks challenged with live Eimeria oocysts. Histopathology demonstrated that Orego-Stim moderates the infection of live Eimeria oocysts challenged orally, especially at the early stages of the lifecycle. This allows chicks to achieve higher weight gains compared to standard diets or commercial coccidiostat groups. In a commercial layer farm using Orego-Stim® with two million birds producing around 1.5 million eggs a day, outbreaks of coccidiosis have been prevented, use of chemical anticoccidiostats have been reduced and huge savings have been made on reduced treatment costs.

Growth of Pullets

One of the most crucial phases of the lifecycle of pullets, independent of their breed, is between 15 and 18 weeks. This is because pullets should reach a threshold weight before the maximum point-of-lay otherwise their performance will be compromised throughout the remainder of their laying cycle. It is therefore very important to ensure that these replacement pullets have optimal nutrition and FCR to achieve this desired weight gain. This can be achieved by the growth-enhancing properties of Orego-Stim.

Increased Egg Production

A trial was conducted at one of the largest egg producers in Malaysia with 1.5 million hens producing over a million eggs every day. Orego-Stim consistently increased egg production between two and three per cent throughout the cycle. Another trial investigated laying hens of 67 weeks of age. The hens were divided into two groups of the same age, breed and management programme. One group had an egg production almost six per cent lower than the other and was given Orego-Stim at an inclusion rate of 250 grams per tonne of feed to see how Orego-Stim would increase their egg production. The mean production performance difference between the two groups was reduced to 1.44 per cent. One week after the inclusion of Orego-Stim, the mean production performance of the Orego-Stim group had surpassed that of the control group by 5.76 per cent.

Orego-Stim increases the rate of epithelial cell turnover in the gastrointestinal tract, improving intestinal nutrient absorption and egg production.

Egg Shell Quality

Field observations have shown that Orego-Stim produces more uniform colour of eggs, with fewer blood spots and faeces. This is correlated to the significant decrease in the number of inferior or faulty eggs. It has also been found that there is also a significant reduction in the proportion of dirty eggs and better homogeneity egg weights, manifested by a higher number of top grade eggs.

Residue-Free Eggs

As Orego-Stim is a 100 per cent natural product, it can safely be used throughout the laying period. It complies with the Organic Farmers & Growers (UK) standards and its ingredients are listed as Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) by the US FDA.

How to Use Orego-Stim in Layers

The recommended inclusion rate of Orego-Stim for layers is 300 grams per tonne of feed. Orego-Stim can be used from day-old chicks. An additional 150ml of Orego-Stim Liquid® during the first week of life also helps the chicks to drink more water and offers further protection against gastrointestinal pathogens. At strategic stages of the layer’s life cycle, such as pullets, two weeks prior to the maximum point of lay or if there is an outbreak of coccidiosis or necrotic enteritis, an additional 150ml of Orego-Stim Liquid in the drinking water may be included.

Conclusion

Orego-Stim has been proved to reduce disease from coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis, Salmonella spp. and E. coli. Orego-Stim gets pullets quicker to their maximum point of lay. Orego-Stim increases egg production and improves egg quality. Orego-Stim is safe to use and increases farm profits.

July 2011