Effects of supplementing laying hens diets with organic selenium on egg production, egg quality, fertility and hatchability.

This study was carried out at El Takamoly Poultry Project, Fayoum, Egypt,. A total number of 498 (450 breeder hens and 48 cocks) birds of Golden Montazah (GM) and Fayoumi (F) strains at 42 wks of age were used to evaluate the effects of two dietary levels of Se as Sel-Plex (0.1 or 0.2 mg/Kg diet) on breeder hens performance. Birds were divided randomly into 3 equal treatment groups of 83 birds each (75 breeder hen and 8 cock each). Birds were placed in 6 floor brooder pens, the 1 st group was fed the basal diet, while the 2 nd and 3 rd groups were fed on the same diet but supplemented with one of the two levels (0.1 or 0.2 mg/Kg diet) of selenium (Se) as Sel-Plex. The experimental period was lasted for 23 weeks (from 42 to 65 wks of age). Results obtained could be summarized in the following: 1The eggs from GM hens were higher EN, EM and EP% as will as heavier EW than those from F hens, Golden Montazah hens fed diet containing 200 mg Se/ton diet as Sel-Plex had higher EM value. Laying hens fed diet containing 100 mg Se/ton diet as Sel-Plex had lower FI while, those fed control diet had higher FI value. Fayoumi hens fed diet containing 200 mg Se/ton diet as Sel-Plex had higher LBWG. 2The eggs from GM hens were heavier than those from F hens with more albumen% but less shell thickness, shell%, yolk index (YI%) and shape index%. As the layer age increased, yolk color, shell thickness and yolk% increased significantly, however, the YI% and Haugh unit score decreased. 3Fayoumi hens had higher fertility and hatchability%, as the age of hen increased, fertility and hatchability% decreased significantly. F hens fed diet containing 200 mg Se/ton diet as Sel-Plex had higher fertility and F hens fed diet containing 100 mg Se/ton diet as Sel-Plex had higher A.M.R., Osman; et al. 894 hatchability%, while, hens (F and GM) fed control diet had lower fertility and hatchability%. 4Fayoumi hens fed diet containing 200 mg Se/ton diet as Sel-Plex had higher WBCs, MCV and MCH. 5Eggs F hens fed diet containing 200 mg Se/ton diet as Sel-Plex had higher moisture, fat and Se concentration in the yolk, and gave the best economical and relative efficiency. Fayoumi hens fed control diet had lower moisture, ash and Se concentration in the yolk.