Effect of organic mineral supplementation on the egg quality of semi-heavy layers in their second cycle of lay

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary trace mineral levels and sources on egg quality parameters of second-cycle semi-heavy layers. A number of 360 72-week-old layers were submitted to forced molting. Upon return of lay (83 weeks of age), birds were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design of six treatments with six replicates of 10 birds each. The control treatment consisted of 0.10% dietary supplementation of trace minerals from inorganic sources, which was proportionally replaced by five levels (110, 100, 90, 80, 70%) of an organic trace mineral supplement containing 30, 30, 40, 6, 0.61, and 0.3 g/kg product of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, I, and Se, respectively. All diets contained equal protein, energy, and amino acid levels. Every 28 days of the experimental period (112 days) four eggs per replicate were collected for egg quality evaluation. The following parameters were evaluated: specific gravity, yolk, albumen and eggshell percentages, yolk index, Haugh units, and eggshell thickness and breaking strength. One sample per replicate, consisting of the pool of the yolks of three eggs collected at the end of each experimental period, was used to assess protein and mineral (Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) contents. The results were submitted to ANOVA, and means to the test of Tukey at 5% significance level. The evaluated trace mineral levels and sources did not influence any of the studied egg quality parameters. It was concluded that reducing organic trace mineral supplementation in up to 70% relative to 100% inorganic trace mineral supplementation does not affect egg parameters and therefore, can be applied to the diet of semi-heavy layers in their second cycle of lay.

Chelated minerals and two limestone particle sizes on production of layers in the second laying cycle

“…However, Maciel et al (2010) observed a greater egg weight, higher specific weight and lower percentage of egg loss of commercial laying hens at the end of laying and concluded that benefits are obtained with inclusion of 50% zinc, manganese and copper in organic form. Better results were expected for intake with the treatments that involved the association with the limestone particles, because older birds prefer larger particles (SCOTTÁ et al, 2014), and when they ingest these they also consume the smaller feed particles, improving their intake as a whole, which did not occur in the present study. Similar results were reported by Saunders-Blades et al (2009), who stated that the particle size of the calcium source does not significantly influence feed intake, and consequently performance, since birds fed diets with different limestone particle sizes consume enough nutrients for good performance.…”

“…In the literature, the results for the use of chelated minerals are highly controversial as to the improvement of shell quality and internal egg quality. This fact can be explained by the quantity of several chelated molecules present and their differences in bioavailability and stability as well as their metabolism (SECHINATO et al, 2006). No significant interaction between the studied factors was found on the bonerelated variables analyzed in this study.…”

Qualidade de ovos e resistência óssea de poedeiras alimentadas com minerais orgânicos

“…O osso é um tipo de tecido conjuntivo formado por matriz orgânica, onde microminerais (cobre, manganês e zinco), como cofatores enzimáticos, apresentam papel fundamental na sua síntese e uma porção mineral, constituída de fosfato de cálcio. O fornecimento adequado de cálcio na dieta, por exemplo, não propicia carência deste mineral para a formação da casca do ovo, portanto não há necessidade da utilização de cálcio do osso medular (Saldanha et al, 2009). Desse modo, as aves depositam as quantidades necessárias de minerais nos ossos, que os tornam mais densos e resistentes, mesmo com o aumento da idade (Paz, 2006).…”

“…Os minerais estão presentes, em diversas concentrações, nos ingredientes usualmente empregados nas formulações das dietas e na constituição dos tecidos animais, e representam cerca de 3 a 4% do peso vivo das aves (Saldanha et al, 2009). Portanto, a suplementação mineral na alimentação é de extrema importância para o Arq.…”

Chelated Minerals and Limestone Particle Sizes on Performance and Bone Quality of Brown-Egg Layers

“…This fact can be explained in part, by the large variety of chelated molecules existing and their differences in bioavailability and stability as well as their metabolism in the animal´s body (Maciel et al, 2010). Lack of effects of chelated minerals on the egg´s quality parameters was also reported by Swiatkiewicz & Koreleski (2008), Saldanha et al (2009), andGeraldo et al (2012). On the contrary, Maciel et al (2010), working with layers at the end of their laying period, using diets containing 50% organic mineral supplementation, associated (Zn+Cu+Mn) or isolated, concluded that associated supplementation provided better results than zinc, copper, or manganese separately, as it resulted in lower loss of eggs, greater specific gravity and heavier eggs.…”