The Chelate Glycinate of Zinc, Copper, and Iron: Effects on Egg Quality Traits, Blood Indices, and Yolk Cholesterol in Laying Hens

Abstract

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of iron, zinc, and copper glycinate chelate as an or-ganic source of trace minerals on egg quality and production performance in laying hens at peak produc-tion. In order to evaluate the effect of dietary treatments, 400 Hy-Line hens at 28 weeks of age (peak egg production) were assigned in the form of 2 × 2 × 2 factorial trial with eight treatments and five replications (ten birds each replication). Dietary treatments included two levels of iron glycinate (100 and 200 mg/kg), two levels of zinc glycinate (45 and 60 mg/kg), and two levels of copper glycinate (6 and 8 mg/kg). The results showed that using of different levels of iron, zinc, and copper glycinate did not affect the production performance of laying hens. Treatment containing 200, 8, and 60 mg of iron, copper and zinc glycinate, respectively, decreased blood cholesterol concentration and increased yolk index and yolk malondialdehyde concentration compared to the treatment containing 100, 6, and 60 mg/kg Fe, Cu and Zn glycinate, respec-tively (P<0.05). Treatment with iron, copper, and zinc glycinate at concentrations of 200, 8, and 60 mg/kg, respectively, increased the thickness, stability, and relative weight of eggshells compared to treatments con-taining 100, 4, and 45 mg/kg. Therefore; supplementation of iron, copper, and zinc glycinate at levels of 200, 8, and