How to improve eggshell quality with organic minerals in Poultry
1. Shell consistency is the most important characteristic of an egg for egg producers, as it holds the greatest economic advantage in the market.
2. The trace minerals manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential minerals in the diet of laying hens as they are needed for growth.
3. Manganese :
a) is a metal activator for contribution to the formation of the organic matrix of bone and eggshell.
b) A lack of manganese leads to defects that may include less shell mass.
c) A lack of manganese in layer feed can result in eggs without shells.
4. Zinc :
a) A lack of zinc in layer diets can lead to lower levels of carbonic anhydrase, resulting in shell defects.
b) This is particularly the case in areas with saline drinking water, where eggshell problems tend be more commonly reported if there is not sufficient zinc supplementation.
c) Zinc is a cofactor of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase inhibitors that are involved in the formation of the eggshell (Robinson and King, 1963).
5. Copper:
a) is an essential element for reproduction, growth, development of connective tissue and skin pigmentation.
b) The lack of copper in laying diets can lead to a higher incidence of eggs produced with peel malformation.
c) Copper is an integral part of the lysyl oxidase enzyme that is important in the formation of collagen present in the eggshell membrane (Leeson and Summers, 2001).
6. Iron :
a) deficiency can result in microcytic, hypochromic anemia in poultry.
b) Iron has a rapid turnover rate in the chicken – 10 times per day – so it must be provided in a highly available form in the bird’s diet on a daily basis.
7. Various studies suggest that organic minerals rather than inorganic forms may offer several benefits.
8. Consequently, there is a greater utilization by the laying hen and lower excretion to the environment, contributing to improved internal and external quality of the egg.
By-
Dr V. Rajendra Prasad,Poultry consultant, Hyderabad.
