Effects of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles and Zeolite on cage-free hens’ egg physical quality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a13nVI.5181Keywords:
Cage free system, eggshell quality, mineral additivesAbstract
This study evaluates the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zeolite added to the diet of cage-free hens on productive parameters and egg physical quality. A total of 400 hens, aged 44 to 60 weeks, were randomly assigned to four treatments: T1: 90 mg of zinc oxide nanoparticles per kg of feed (ZnO-NPs); T2: 90 mg of ZnO-NPs and 4% zeolite per kg of feed; T3: 4% zeolite per kg of feed; T4: Fed only the basal diet. Productivity variables (egg weight, number of eggs, percentage of egg production, egg mass) and physical quality variables (shape index, shell thickness and weight, albumen weight and height, yolk weight and diameter, and Haugh units) were measured. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify variables associated with productivity and physical quality. Among the productivity variables, only feed intake showed significant differences, being higher in group T3 (p < 0.05). Regarding physical quality parameters, shell thickness was greater in T1 (p < 0.05) compared to the other experimental groups; for the remaining variables, no differences were observed between treatments (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that zinc oxide nanoparticles may influence shell thickness.
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