Zinc methionine for stressed laying hens.
The effects of zinc methionine product (ZP) supplementation to Single Comb White Leghorn hens on egg production and quality were measured through three consecutive egg laying cycles. During the first and second lay cycles, ZP had minor or nonsignificant effects upon hen performance. During the third lay cycle, a low dietary Ca (.3% Ca) stress of 1 mo duration was encountered. During this low-Ca stress period, hens fed 1 g ZP/kg produced the greatest number of eggs (P less than .05), and during recovery from that low-Ca stress, the hens receiving 2 g ZP/kg produced the most eggs (P less than .05). The ZP appeared to help hens maintain egg size throughout this stress period. The present results indicate that ZP was beneficial to hens during low-Ca stress and during the recovery period following that stress.
Kienholz
E W
EW
Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
Moreng
R E
RE
Flinchum
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000172:deficiency; D002645:Chickens; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004531:Eggs / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D008715:Methionine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C074508:zinc methionine; D008715:Methionine; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium