The Effect of Different Levels of Inorganic and Organic Copper, Zinc and Manganase on Egg Production and Quality in Laying Hens

The study was conducted to determine the effects of inorganic and organic copper, zinc and manganese supplementation at both recommended levels by NRC (1994), and at 66% and 33% proportion of those levels in laying hen rations on performance and egg quality in laying hens. In experiment, a total amount of 336 commercial laying Lohmann brown hens at 45 weeks of age was used. All hens were given a second period cage laying hens diet and study was conducted for 150 days. The mineral contents of inorganic groups were supplied using a standard inorganic mineral premix at both levels of NRC recommendations (29 mg Zn as (ZnSO4), 4 mg Cu (CuSO4) and 17 mg Mn as (MnSO4)) and 66% and 33% proportions of those levels. The mineral contents of organic groups were also supplied using an organic mineral premix (BioplexTM) at the same levels and proportions of those inorganic minerals. According to the results of the current study, it was indicated that traditional trace inorganic mineral (Cu, Zn and Mn) supplementation into laying hen diets are more than it is needed and this supplementation level can be reduced; organically complexed trace minerals (Cu, Zn, and Mn) can be used at a much lower concentration than the current recommended levels as inorganic minerals, without a negative impact on performance and egg quality in laying hens.