Effect of zinc oxide, potassium iodide and withdrawal diet as alternative moulting methods on performance of commercial laying hens

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare applicability of the non-feed removal method with the feed withdrawal method by using zinc Oxide and potassium iodide in moulting on productive performance. A total of 240 84-week-old Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL-Lite) laying hens were randomly distributed in 40 cages (ten treatments and four replicates per treatment). The results showed that crop pH and Ilium pH were similar among treatments. Moulting method affected body weight reduction and feed consumption (P < 0.05), maximum body weight reduction from 1 to 16 days during moulting was observed in T3. Feed consumptions for hens fed ZnO diets (T4) were lower, with hens fed the KI diet being intermediate (P < 0.05). During the second laying cycle no significant effect was found for egg weight and feed intake. Organ characteristics (weight organs and length oviduct) of hens fed a zinc-supplemented diet were lower than those non-moulted and hens fed a KI-supplemented diet. In conclusion, that each moulting method differently influenced various parameters studied for post moulting performance. Indicating that non-fasting moulting methods, which are better for animal welfare, are effective alternatives to fasting method.