ARS | Publication request: Single and combined effects of organic selenium and zinc on egg fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality of exotic cochin hens

Submitted to: Agrotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 3, 2012
Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Citation: Stanley, V.G., Hickerson, K., Daley, M.B., Hume, M.E., Hinton Jr, A. 2012. Single and combined effects of organic selenium and zinc on egg, fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality of exotic cochin hens. Agrotechnology. 1:106. doi:10.4172/2168-9881.1000106.

Interpretive Summary: A study was conducted to examine the effects of three diets supplemented with organic selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) on the performance of Cochin exotic breeder hens. Cochin hens and males were separated into four treatment groups with three replications per treatment and 10 females and 1 male per group. Treatments were: group 1, control with no supplementation; group 2, Se only; group 3, Zn only; and group 4, combination of Se + Zn. Eggs were collected for 21 days to determine total egg production and average egg weight. Results showed that egg production and egg weight did not increase significantly, although the Se and the combined Se + Zn groups showed a slight increase over the control group. The numbers of eggs hatched were higher for Se and Se + Zn groups than for the control group. Egg embryo mortality was lower for Se + Zn eggs compared to Se, Zn, and control groups. In conclusion, supplementing the diet of exotic breeder hens with Se and Zn yielded an increase in egg production and a reduction in egg embryo mortality. The results demonstrate the potential use of Se and Zn treatment for improvements in egg production. These results are of interest to researchers in egg production and health and to egg productions.

Technical Abstract: A study was conducted to examine the effects of three diets supplemented with organic selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) on the performance of Cochin exotic breeder hens. Cochin hens (n=120) and males (n=12) at 42 wks of age were separated into four treatment groups with three replications per treatment. Each group had 10 females and 1 male. Treatments were: group 1, control with no supplementation; group 2, Se (Sel-Plex ®1) (.33 ppm) only; group 3, Zn (Bio-Plex®) (20 ppm) only; and group 4, combination of Se + Zn. Eggs were collected for 21 d to determine total egg production and mean egg weight. Fertility along with early and late embryonic mortality were determined when eggs were candled on the 12 d and 18 d of incubation. Hatchability was calculated on Day 21 based on fertility and egg set. Results showed that egg production did not increase significantly, although the Se (57%) and the combined Se and Zn treatment (59%) showed an increase of 4% and 6%, respectively, over the control. Fertility was similar for most treatments, but the fertility of the Zn-supplemented group (75%) was significantly lower than the other treatment groups. Hatchability based on fertile eggs was 4.6% and 3.0% higher than the control for Se and Se + Zn groups, respectively. Early and late embryonic mortality was significantly lower (P<.05), 2.6% for Se + Zn eggs, compared to 3.70, 3.20, and 3.3%, respectively, for the single supplementation of Se, Zn, and control. Based on eggs set, hatchability was 3.3% higher than the control for Se + Zn group. In conclusion, supplementing the diet of exotic breeder hens with Se and Zn produced a significant increase in egg production and a significant reduction in early and late embryonic death.