Abstract
Abstract Ninety caged Single Comb White Leghorn hens, 58 weeks of age, were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups of 18 birds each and either a) molted conventionally by removal of water for 48 hr and feed for 9 days followed by ad libitum intake of a 10% crude protein ration; or force-rested by the inclusion of b) 1.0% zinc as zinc acetate; c) 1.0% zinc as zinc oxide; d) 2.0% magnesium, as magnesium acetate; or e) 2.0% magnesium, as magnesium oxide into the laying ration for 14 days. One percent dietary zinc, as either the acetate or oxide, resulted in a rapid decline in feed intake and cessation of egg production (within 6 days), with subsequent rate of lay, egg Haugh units, specific gravity, and shell thickness during the 24 weeks following forced-rest similar to the hens molted conventionally. Neither magnesium treatment was effective as a dietary treatment for the induction of forced-rest as reduction in feed intake and cessation of egg production during the forced-rest period was incomplete. Following forced-rest, the eggs from both magnesium treated groups had significantly lower Haugh units and the magnesium oxide treatment also resulted in significant reduction in egg specific gravity and shell thickness. The results indicate that 1.0% zinc, as either the acetate or oxide, may be an effective dietary agent for the induction of forced-rest.
Published Version
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