Effect of Zinc Toxicity in Laying White Leghorn Pullets and Hens

Abstract

Two experiments involving 124 Single Comb White Leghorn (Hy-Line) laying pullets and hens were conducted to determine the effect of zinc toxicity on bird performance. Twenty milligrams of zinc per gram of diet fed for 5 days significantly lowered fertility and hatchability of pullet eggs collected 14 to 28 days after the 5-day zinc feeding period. Zinc significantly depressed body weight on the day 5 of zinc feeding and significantly lowered egg poroduction from 0 to 4 weeks of test. Egg production from 4 to 12 weeks, feed conversion from 0 to 12 weeks, final body weight, and livability were not significantly affected. Hens fed the supplemental zinc for five days had depressed egg production from 0 to 4 weeks. Egg production from 4 to 12 weeks, feed conversion, final body weight, and livability were not significantly affected. Compared to their respective controls, 2% supplemental zinc fed for 5 days significantly improved hen but not pullet egg weight. Hen eggs collected 28 days after hens received the zinc diet contained significantly less potassium, copper, and zinc than the controls.

A Multicycle Comparison of Dietary Zinc and Feed Removal Molting Procedures: Production and Income Performance

“…Birds fed zinc oxide lost only 16.4 and 14.6% of their premolt body weight compared to the 30.6 and 27.6% weight loss of the feed removal groups. These results are similar to those of Palafox and Elodie (1980), who reported body weight reductions of 15.9% for pullets fed 20 mg/g of zinc oxide for 5 days and those of McCormick and Cunningham (1984a) who observed approximately 17% body weight loss feeding zinc oxide at 20,000 ppm for 4 days. Creger and Scott (1980), however, reported body weight losses exceeding 22% for birds fed 25,000 ppm of zinc oxide for 4 days.…”

Essential elements content of hen egg-white in Markazi province (Iran)

“…Verheyen et al (1990) and Stahl et al (1986) reported considerable increase of zinc content in egg yolk after adding zinc supplement to the feed, while Skřivan et al (2005) and Kaya et al (2009) reported decrease of zinc content in egg yolk after adding supplements in feed. Palafox & Ho (1980) reported that adding 20 000 pg Zn/g for five days decreased the zinc content and egg production for a few days. Mabe et al (2003) reported little increase of Mn content in egg yolk, and Hill & Mathers (1968) found considerable increase after adding Mn to the feed.…”

Remedial investigation/feasibility study of the Clinch River/Poplar Creek Operable Unit. Volume 3. Risk assessment information. Appendixes E, F

“…Seven percent of 14-day old guail fed 600 mg zinc (as zinc phosphide)kg feed over 5 days died, 53% of those fed 990 mgkg died, and 93% of those fed 1634 mgkg died (Hill and Camardese 1986). Domestic chicken pullets and hens on a diet with 20,000 mg zinckg feed for 5 days were lighter weight by day 5 and produced significantly fewer eggs for 4 weeks following treatment (Palafox and Ho-A 1980). Eggs collected 14-28 days posttreatment had reduced fertility and hatchability.…”