Beta-carotene supplementation of laying hen diets

The possibility of beta-carotene affecting production of hens or hatchability of eggs was studied over 252 d with diets based on white maize containing 0, 1.5, 6.75 or 15 mg added beta-carotene/kg. Egg production, food intake, food utilisation, egg weight, and egg specific gravity were not affected...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish poultry science Vol. 25; no. 3; p. 349
Main Authors Damron, B L, Goodson, S R, Harms, R H, Janky, D M, Wilson, H R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.01.1984
Subjects
Animals
beta Carotene
Body Weight - drug effects
Carotenoids - pharmacology
Chickens - physiology
Eating - drug effects
Female
Food, Fortified
Oviposition - drug effects
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Summary:The possibility of beta-carotene affecting production of hens or hatchability of eggs was studied over 252 d with diets based on white maize containing 0, 1.5, 6.75 or 15 mg added beta-carotene/kg. Egg production, food intake, food utilisation, egg weight, and egg specific gravity were not affected significantly by beta-carotene. Egg fertility, hatchability and final body weights of hens were also not significantly influenced. Reflectance measurements showed that dietary beta-carotene resulted in increased deposition and more intense pigmentation in the egg yolk.
ISSN:0007-1668
DOI:10.1080/00071668408454875