Role of trace mineral nutrition in egg production, egg quality and immunity of White Leghorn hens

Abstract

A biological experiment was conducted for the assessment of the role of trace element nutrition in the egg production, egg quality, and immunity of White Leghorn (WLH) hens during summer months. A total of one hundred eight WLH laying hens were randomly divided into six groups with eighteen birds in each and housed in individual laying cages. Following a 3x2 factorial design the three different combinations of Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Selenium (Se) viz. L1 (14.0, 7.0, 14.0, & 0.1 mg/kg), L2 (24.0, 12.0, 24.0, & 0.17 mg/kg), and L3 (44.0, 22.0, 44.0, & 0.24 mg/kg) were provided in organic and inorganic form constituting six different dietary treatments. The results have shown that the trace mineral combinations in either organic or inorganic form have no significant effect on various production parameters of WHL birds. The feed intake and humoral immunity of birds were significantly higher, whereas the shape index, shell thickness, specific gravity, albumen index, Haugh unit, shell weight, and percent shell weight were significantly lower in eggs from birds fed L1 combination of minerals compared to L2 and L3. The egg quality parameters were significantly higher in birds fed organic minerals at different time periods. Based on the results it has been concluded that 44.0 mg Mn, 22.0 mg Cu, 44.0 mg Cu, & 0.24 mg Se/kg diet in the organic form is required for optimum quality egg production in WLH hens.