title: Effects of high zinc diets using zinc propionate on molt induction, organs, and postmolt egg production and quality in laying hens.
abstract: This study was conducted to determine the ability of an alternative salt form of 1% Zn, Zn propionate, to induce molt in 66-wk-old hens. The hens were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups of 27 or 28 birds each: a) molted conventionally by feed withdrawal, b) 1% Zn as Zn acetate, c) 1% Zn as Zn propionate, or d) nonmolted control for 9 d. Feed intake was (P < 0.05) depressed in Zn acetate and Zn propionate hens when compared with nonmolted control hens during the 9 d. Ovary weights of hens undergoing feed withdrawal, Zn acetate, or Zn propionate were not (P > 0.05) different from each other, but all were (P < 0.05) lighter than the ovary weights of nonmolted control hens. Zinc concentrations in the kidney and liver were (P < 0.05) increased in Zn acetate and Zn propionate molted hens when compared with nonmolted hens on the control diet or hens molted by feed withdrawal. Bone ash values were (P < 0.05) increased for Zn acetate and Zn propionate molted hens or nonmolted control hens as compared with molted hens on feed withdrawal. Over the entire 3-mo postmolt period, there were no significant differences in interior egg qualities, but egg weights from hens fed Zn propionate were (P < 0.05) heavier than those from hens on feed withdrawal. The data of the current study demonstrated that feeding a Zn propionate (1% zinc)-supplemented diet can induce molt.
authors.affiliation: Department of Poultry Science, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Birkhold
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Kubena
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nisbet
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ricke
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003426:Crop, Avian / Q000737:chemistry; D004531:Eggs / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D018978:Molting / Q000187:drug effects*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011422:Propionates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011897:Random Allocation; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D011422:Propionates; C029658:propionic acid