Effect of supplementation of organic zinc on the zinc level and quality traits of eggs in broiler breeders

Abstract

Broiler breeder hens (264) of 32 weeks of age were distributed randomly in 4 dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were T0: Broiler breeder ration containing 40ppm zinc (basal 29.8 ppm + 10.2 ppm inorganic zinc), T1: T0 + organic zinc (zinc methionine) @ 20ppm, T2: T0 + organic zinc @ 40ppm and T3: T0 + organic zinc @ 60ppm. The experiment was continued from 32 to 48 weeks of age. At 35, 39, 43 and 48 week, the egg quality traits and zinc level in the eggs were assessed. Expect the egg shell thickness, the other studied egg quality parameters viz. egg weight (g), egg length (mm), egg breadth (mm), egg shell thickness without membrane (mm), yolk height (mm), yolk diameter (mm), albumen height (mm), albumen weight (g), yolk weight (g), egg shell weight (g), shape index and Haugh unit of female broiler breeder of different treatments during the experimental period did not differ significantly in all the periods. The zinc content of egg shell of all the groups of broiler breeder birds did not differ significantly at 32 and 39 week of age but at 40 and 48 weeks of study, significantly higher egg shell zinc content was observed in T3 group and lowest in T0. The zinc content in the egg albumen of all the groups of broiler breeder birds did not differ significantly in all the periods of study. Except at 35 weeks, the zinc content of egg yolk and total egg differed significantly with lowest levels was observed in T0. The egg shell thickness and egg shell weight of 40ppm and 60ppm zinc supplemented group were significantly higher than all other groups. Other egg quality traits found to be unaffected among treatment groups.