Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine whether supplementing the diets of post-molted hens with organic selenium (Se) (Sel-Plex®) and/or organic Zinc (Zn) (Bio-Plex®)1 could improve laying hen performance. Prior to molting, 120-78 wk old laying hens were separated into four treatment groups of 30 hens per treatment and were subjected to molting. Molting was induced by reducing photoperiod from 16 h per day to 8 h, and the diet was changed from a standard layer diet (17% CP; 2830 ME/kg) to a straight crushed corn diet. When egg production was reduced to zero, the hens were fed a control diet, or a diet supplemented with 0.3 ppm Se/kg of feed; 20 ppm Zn/kg of feed, or a combination of Se and Zn. Lighting was restored gradually to post-molting period. Changes in daily egg production, egg weight, egg quality (albumen, yolk, and shell weights), feed utilization and hen mortality were recorded. Results indicated that mean egg production was significantly (P<0.05) greater and feed utilization was significantly (P<0.05) lower for hens fed diet supplement with the combined treatment of Se and Zn compared to the other diets. Single treatment of Zn significantly (P<0.05) lowered mortality and increased egg production, but significantly (P<0.05) reduced egg, albumen and shell weights.
Highlights
Laying hens are typically slaughtered when egg production levels fall below 55%, and in the United States, about 100 million hens fall into this category annually [1]
These strategies include the utilization of high fiber diets [4], skip-a-day feeding [5], high calcium diets [6] and low energy feed [7]
When Se was combined with Zn the egg weight, along with the albumen and shell weights were restored to the control levels
Summary
Laying hens are typically slaughtered when egg production levels fall below 55%, and in the United States, about 100 million hens fall into this category annually [1]. Before 2009, spent-hens were processed, and the meat from the hens was supplied to the National School Lunch Program [2]. The productivity of older hens has become an increased concern to table-egg producers [3], and the layer industry is exploring nutritional strategies to extend the productive life of layers. These strategies include the utilization of high fiber diets [4], skip-a-day feeding [5], high calcium diets [6] and low energy feed [7]. The well-being of the birds during molting and their subsequent performance during post-molting have become a major concern [9], and some fast food industries will no longer purchase eggs produced by laying operations that use forced-molting programs [3]
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