Zinc Oxide as an Effective Mineral for Induced Moulting: Effects on Post Moult Performance of Laying Hens in the Humid Tropics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of using zinc oxide salts to induce moulting, and their effects on post moult performance and organ characteristics of laying hens. Two hundred (75 weeks of age) Isa Brown hens were randomly assigned to five Treatments (T) groups of 40 hens, each namely; T 0 -non-moulted hens and T 1 , T 2 , T 3, T 4 , representing moulted hens fed, respectively, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% Zinc Oxide (ZnO) supplementation per kg diet for 14 days. Organ evaluations of the hens were carried out 7 days post moult. Body weight loss and decline in feed intake of the birds were higher (P<0.01) for moulted hens. Cessation of egg production occurred earlier (P<0.05) in the same groups of birds. During post moult, the moulted hens exhibited greater (P<0.01) percentage body weight gain, when compared with the non-moulted hens. Feed intake and hen-day egg production of birds on 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% ZnO supplementation was higher (P<0.01), than those of other treatments. Feed conversion ratio was better (P<0.05) for the same groups of birds. Moulting with ZnO treatment influence highly (P<0.01) the number of days to resumption of egg production, with hens on 2.0% ZnO resuming egg production much later than hens on 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% ZnO treatments. The ovary, liver and kidney of the hens were affected (P<0.05) by the dietary ZnO contents. A greenish coloration of the liver was observed in hens fed 1.5% and 2% ZnO supplementation. These results demonstrate that in order to achieve good post moult performance of laying hens in the humid tropics, farmers should practice the use of 1% ZnO inclusion per kg diet, as an effective method to achieve induced moulting. [6][7][8], etc. These alternative methods have been successfully used by scientist to induce moult in hens, and enhance the post moult egg production. Zinc is one of the several micronutrients that have attracted increased attention, because of their important role in maintaining health and nutrients condition. It is essential for physiologic and metabolic functions such as physical growth, immuno-competence, reproductive function, and neuron behavioral development [9]. Although abundant information exists in literature on the practical application of zinc salts as a means of achieving moulting in hen raised under temperate environment, there is a dearth of information on its application in the tropics, especially in most developing countries, where the method is uncommon. The study therefore was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of using zinc oxide as a moulting agent for laying hens, on organ characteristics, and post moult production performance. Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted at the poultry unit of the Department of Journal of Veterinary Science & TechnologyCitation: Machebe NS, Iweh P, Onyimonyi AE, Ekere OS, Abonyi F (2013) Zinc Oxide as an Effective Mineral for Induced Moulting: Effects on Post Moult Performance of Laying Hens in the Humid Tropics. J Veterinar Sci Technol S11: 003.

Therapeutic effects of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seed powder against reproductive toxicity induced by Mancozeb (herbicide) in female rabbits

“…The use of plants is more promising than synthetic antioxidants that have been shown to be carcinogenic (butylate hydroxyanisole, tert-butylate hydroxyquinone, and butylate hydroxytoluene) [ 12 ] because of their accessibility and low toxicity [ 13 ]. Their phytochemical properties, such as antioxidant properties, minerals, and vitamins [ 14 ], work synergistically to protect against the damaging effects of free radicals [ 15 ]. The presence of bioactive compounds such as iridoid, phenylpropanoid glycosides, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and labdane diterpenoids [ 16 ] is responsible for these protective properties.…”