Reproductive performance of Cobb 500 breeder hens fed diets supplemented with zinc, manganese, and copper from inorganic and amino acid-complexed sources

Abstract

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal dietary Zn, Mn, and Cu sources on egg production, eggshell quality, hatchability, and hatched chick grading. Inorganic sources of Zn, Mn, and Cu (IZMC) as zinc sulfate monohydrate (35% Zn), manganese sulfate monohydrate (31% Mn), and copper sulfate pentahydrate (25% Zn) or organic sources of Zn, Mn, and Cu as amino acid-mineral complexes (OZMC) were used. The 3 experimental treatments consisted of diets supplemented with 1) 100, 100, and 10 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively, from IZMC (control); 2) 60, 60, and 3 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively, from IZMC plus 40, 40, and 7 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively, from OZMC (ISO); and 3) a diet with 100, 100, and 10 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively, from IZMC as in the control plus 40, 40, and 7 ppm of supplemental Zn, Mn, and Cu from OZMC (on top). Treatments were fed from 22 to 68 wk of age. Each treatment had 10 replications of 20 females and 2 males. Feeding the ISO diet compared with the control diet increased eggshell weight and thickness (P < 0.05) and decreased early embryo mortality (P < 0.01). Feeding the on top diet compared with the control diet resulted in thicker and heavier eggshells (P < 0.05). An improvement in eggshell quality was observed in breeder hens consuming the OZMC-supplemented ISO diet or the on top diet with IZMC.