ZINC METHIONINE FOR STRESSED LAYING HENS

The effects of zinc methionine product (ZP) supplementation to Single Comb White Leghorn hens on egg production and quality were measured through three consecutive egg laying cycles. During the first and second lay cycles, ZP had minor or nonsignificant effects upon hen performance. During the third lay cycle, a low dietary Ca (.3% Ca) stress of 1 mo duration was encountered. During this low-Ca stress period, hens fed 1 g ZP/kg produced the greatest number of eggs (P < .05), and during recovery from that low-Ca stress, the hens receiving 2 g ZP/kg produced the most eggs (P < .05). The ZP appeared to help hens maintain egg size throughout this stress period. The present results indicate that ZP was beneficial to hens during low-Ca stress and during the recovery period following that stress.