Using a feed-grade zinc propionate to achieve molt induction in laying hens and retain postmolt egg production and quality |
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Authors: | S. Y. Park W. K. Kim S. G. Birkhold L. F. Kubena D. J. Nisbet S. C. Ricke |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Poultry Science, Texas A & M University, 77843 College Station, TX;(2) Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 77845 College Station, TX;(3) Present address: Food Resources Institute, Chung-Ang University, 72-1 Nae-ri Daeduk-myun, Ansung, 456-756 Kyunggido, South Korea;(4) Present address: Product Technology Center, Nestlé Purina PetCare, 3916 Pettis Road, 64503 St. Joseph, MO |
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Abstract: | A commercial-feed-grade form of zinc propionate was examined as a potential feed amendment at a concentration of 1% zinc to induce molt in 90-wk-old hens. Dietary treatments consisted, of 4 treatment groups of 28 birds each randomly assigned to either (1) molted conventionally by feed withdrawal, (2) 1% zinc as Zn acetate, (3) 1% zinc as Zn propionate, or (4) nonmolted control for 9 d. Ovary weights of hens fed Zn acetate or Zn propionate were not significantly different from each other, but hens fed Zn acetate or Zn propionate were significantly (p<0.05) lighter than the ovary weight of nonmolted control hens. Zinc concentrations in the kidney and liver were significantly (p<0.05) increased in both Zn acetate- and Zn propionate-molted hens when compared to either nonmolted control-fed hens or feed-withdrawal molted hens. Over the entire 3-mo postmolt period, there were no significant differences in interior or exterior egg qualities among the four treatments Egg production of hens fed Zn acetate was significantly lower than feed-withdrawal hens, Zn propionate-fed hens, or nonmolted control hens (p<0.05). The data of the current study demonstrated that feeding a feed grade of Zn propionate (1% Zn)-supplemented diet can induce molt and retain postmolt egg quality and production comparable to hens molted by feed withdrawal. |
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Keywords: | Induced molt Zn propionate organs egg quality egg production |
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