Using a feed-grade zinc propionate to achieve molt induction in laying hens and retain postmolt egg production and quality.
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.
Park
S Y
SY
Department of Poultry Science, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Kim
W K
WK
Birkhold
S G
SG
Kubena
L F
LF
Nisbet
D J
DJ
Ricke
S C
SC
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004531:Eggs; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D018978:Molting; D009929:Organ Size; D010053:Ovary; D011422:Propionates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
D011422:Propionates; C029658:propionic acid