ABSTRACT This work aimed to evaluate the performance and egg quality of lightweight laying hens supplemented with a high biological value mineral, carbo-amino-phospho-chelates (CAPC), compared with inorganic minerals (sulfates), at different recommended values. A total of 320 Dekalb White hens, between 53 and 77 weeks of age, were distributed in a completely randomized design into two treatments, 10 replicates of 16 birds each. The treatments consisted of a reference diet formulated according to breed manual recommendations, in which one group was supplemented with a trace mineral source, CAPC (Cu, 8.6; Fe, 43.7; Mn, 56.4; Se, 0.34; and Zn, 43.7 mg/kg) and the other with a sulfate source, using the levels recommended in the breed manual (Cu, 8; Fe, 60; Mn, 70; Se, 0.25; and Zn, 60 mg/kg). There was no effect of trace mineral supplementation on egg production variables, feed conversion ratio by mass or by dozen eggs, and eggs per housed bird. However, there was an increase in feed intake and weight and mass of eggs when birds fed diet supplemented with CAPC. Regarding egg quality, CAPC supplementation increased the albumen weight and percentage, shell weight, thickness, and strength, and Haugh unit. The eggs from birds fed CAPC supplementation showed higher levels of iron and zinc when compared with eggs from birds fed the sulfate source diet. Better quality rates were observed in variables related to shelf life for the group that received CAPC. Trace mineral sources and recommendations in the diets of high genetic potential laying hens need to be reassessed and allow us to conclude that totally replacing the sulfate for different recommendations of CAPC in laying hen diets helps to improve quality characteristics as well as the nutritional value of eggs.

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of trace mineral levels and sources supplemented to diets fed to semi-heavy layers in their second laying cycle on the quality of eggs stored for 14 days at different temperatures. The experimental diets consisted of the inclusion of inorganic trace minerals (T1 - control: 100% ITM) and five supplementation levels of organic trace minerals (carboaminophopho chelates) (110, 100, 90, 80, and 70% OTM). Trace mineral inclusion levels (mg/kg feed) were: T1: control - 100% ITM: Zn (54), Fe (54), Mn (72), Cu (10), I (0.61) Se (0.3); T2 - 110% OTM: Zn (59.4), Fe (59.4), Mn (79.2), Cu (11.88), I (1.21) Se (0.59); T3 - 100%: OTM: Zn (54), Fe (54), Mn (72), Cu (10.8), I (1.10) Se (0.54); T4 - 90% OTM: Zn (48.6), Fe (48.6), Mn (64.8), Cu (9.72), I (0.99) Se (0.49); T5 - 80% OTM: Zn (43.2), Fe (43.2), Mn (57.6), Cu (8.64), I (0.88), Se (0.43); T6 - 70% OTM: Zn (37.8), Fe (37.8), Mn (50.4), Cu (7.56), I (0.77) Se (0.38). A completely randomized experimental design in a split-plot arrangement with 60 treatments of four replicates each was applied. The combination of six diets versus storage temperature (room or under refrigeration) was randomized in plots, whereas the sub-plots consisted of storage times (0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days). Data were submitted to analysis of variance of a model in slip-plots in time using the software package SAS (2000) at 5% probability level. It was concluded that 70% OTM supplementation can be used with no damage to egg quality, independently from storage temperature or time. The quality of refrigerated eggs stored up to 14 days is better than those stored at room temperature.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary trace mineral levels and sources on egg quality parameters of second-cycle semi-heavy layers. A number of 360 72-week-old layers were submitted to forced molting. Upon return of lay (83 weeks of age), birds were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design of six treatments with six replicates of 10 birds each. The control treatment consisted of 0.10% dietary supplementation of trace minerals from inorganic sources, which was proportionally replaced by five levels (110, 100, 90, 80, 70%) of an organic trace mineral supplement containing 30, 30, 40, 6, 0.61, and 0.3 g/kg product of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, I, and Se, respectively. All diets contained equal protein, energy, and amino acid levels. Every 28 days of the experimental period (112 days) four eggs per replicate were collected for egg quality evaluation. The following parameters were evaluated: specific gravity, yolk, albumen and eggshell percentages, yolk index, Haugh units, and eggshell thickness and breaking strength. One sample per replicate, consisting of the pool of the yolks of three eggs collected at the end of each experimental period, was used to assess protein and mineral (Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) contents. The results were submitted to ANOVA, and means to the test of Tukey at 5% significance level. The evaluated trace mineral levels and sources did not influence any of the studied egg quality parameters. It was concluded that reducing organic trace mineral supplementation in up to 70% relative to 100% inorganic trace mineral supplementation does not affect egg parameters and therefore, can be applied to the diet of semi-heavy layers in their second cycle of lay.