This study evaluated the effect of the supplementation with organic microminerals on performance and egg quality of semi-heavy layers. Dekalk Brown layers (n=216) were distributed according to a completely randomized design into four treatments, nine repetitions and six birds per repetition. The experiment lasted 140 days and was comprised of five 28 day cycles. The basal diet was formulated to fulfill the nutritional requirements and was supplemented with organic or inorganic minerals, resulting in four treatments: T1 - basal + 100% inorganic minerals; T2 - basal + 100% organic minerals; T3 - basal + 66% organic minerals; T4 - basal + 33% organic minerals. Egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion for dozen and mass, albumen percentage, specific gravity, shell thickness and relative gross margin have better results when the inorganic minerals are replaced with 66% organic.
chelates; eggs; microminerals; mineral supplementation
