Dietary effects of chelated zinc supplementation and lysine levels in ISA Brown laying hens on early and late performance, and egg quality

It has been hypothesized that zinc (Zn) levels beyond those that are nutritionally required may favor the utilization of dietary lysine, and consequently reduce the level of its inclusion into the diet. Therefore, the possible effects of interaction between chelated Zn and the level of lysine (Lys) on egg production and egg quality of laying hens were evaluated. In total, 720 ISA Brown layer hens aged 24 to 36 wk (early phase) and 48 to 60 wk (late phase) were allotted in a completely randomized factorial design that used 3 Zn and 5 Lys levels (6 replications, 8 birds/replication). All birds aged 37 to 47 wk (between early and late phases) were fed a standard diet and maintained under the same experimental design. The Zn levels used were 137, 309, and 655 mg/kg; and the Lys levels were 0.560, 0.612, 0.677, 0.749, and 0.851%. The optimal levels of Lys digestibility were based on laboratory analyses with regard to the weighted average relationship between 83.5% digestibility and the total Lys from principal ingredients. There was no effect of interaction found between the dietary levels of Zn and Lys for most of the variables studied; however, each had an independent effect on the variables. An increase in Zn from 137 to 655 mg/kg had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the performance of hens in both phases; however, it showed a significant effect on egg quality (P < 0.01), principally on mineral composition. Increased Zn resulted in decreased shell weight, percentage of ash, yolk ash deposition, and total ash deposition. On the other hand, an increase in Lys from 0.560 to 0.851% significantly affected (P < 0.002) several performance parameters and the chemical composition of the eggs, including feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, BW gain, egg weight, and production. In conclusion, there was no interaction found between Zn and Lys, but higher dietary levels of chelated Zn reduced bird performance and egg quality parameters, whereas higher Lys levels could be beneficial to bird performance and egg quality.