QUALITY OF EGGS FROM LAYING HENS FED SUPPLEMENTAL SELENIUM AND Α-TOCOPHEROL

Abstract

Effects of dietary supplement of selenium and α–tocopherol on quality of eggs from laying hens was assessed in a 20-week trial. ISA brown pullets (n=192, age =20 weeks) were randomly assigned to six experimental diets in a completely randomised design: Basal diet (T1) without any supplemental
selenium or α–tocopherol, T2: Basal + 0.5 mg/kg selenium, T3: Basal diet + 1.0 mg/kg selenium, T4: Basal diet + 1.5 mg/kg selenium, T5: Basal diet + 20 mg/kg α–tocopherol, T6: Basal diet + 40 mg/kg α– tocopherol. Each treatment was replicated four times and a replicate comprised eight pullets. At week 36
freshly laid eggs (3 eggs per replicate) were collected randomly for measurement of internal and external  egg quality parameters using an electronic top loading scale and Vernier caliper following appropriate procedures. External egg characteristics parameters were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by
supplemental selenium and α–tocopherol. Albumen length (69.62), yolk weight (12.74) and albumen weight (0.35) were significantly (P<.05) reduced in hens on supplemental 40mg/kg α-tocopherol diet but yolk diameter increased in the control and 40mg/kg α-tocopherol supplemented groups. In conclusion,
supplemental selenium and α–tocopherol did not influence the external egg characteristics though supplementation of α–tocopherol up to 40 mg/kg reduced most of the internal egg quality characteristics.