Effect of Dietary Boron Supplementation on Egg Production, Shell Quality, and Calcium Metabolism in Aged Broiler Breeder Hens

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted using aged broiler breeder hens (greater than 60 wk) to investigate the effects of supplemental B on egg production (EP), shell quality, and Ca metabolism. Experiment 1 had a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) high Ca (3.5%); 2) high Ca plus B; 3) low Ca (1.5%); and 4) low Ca plus B; using 32 60-wk-old hens. The B levels were basal and 100 ppm supplemental for the first 2 wk of the experiment and reduced to 60 ppm for the remaining 3 wk. Egg production, shell thickness (ST), and egg specific gravity (SG) were recorded weekly. In Experiment 2, 40 60-wk-old hens were divided into two groups: high and low shell quality. Each group was further divided into two subgroups and fed a low-Ca basal diet with or without supplemental B. The level of B supplementation and the experimental period was the same as in Experiment 1. In Experiment 3, 52 75-wk-old hens were force-molted. After molting, 36 hens were fed a commercial layer diet with the remaining 16 hens fed the control diet supplemented with 100 ppm B. Blood samples were taken during the nonlaying and laying periods, respectively. The results showed that B significantly (P less than .05) depressed EP in Experiment 1 but not in Experiments 2 and 3. Supplemental B decreased plasma Ca when hens were fed a diet containing high Ca levels (3.5%). Supplemental B did not affect SG, ST, or Ca retention, but did significantly increase tibial bone ash percentage (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of boric acid and humate supplementation on performance and egg quality parameters of laying hens

“…These results are in agreement with the results of studies involving hens on supplementations of humate (Kucukersan et al, 2005;Yoruk et al, 2004) and boric acid (Qin & Klandorf, 1991;Wilson & Ruszler, 1996;Mizrak & Ceylan, 2009). Mizrak & Ceylan (2009) tried to determine different level of B (25, 50, 75 ppm) effects on laying hens.…”

“…They didn't find any significant differences about performance parameters of hens (feed intake, egg production and weight, egg quality parameters) with supplementation of boric acid. Qin & Klandorf (1991) investigated of effects of boron addition into hen diets on some performance, egg shell quality and calcium metabolism. At the end of their trial boron addition into hen diets caused reducing of egg production but had no effects on egg shell quality.…”

“…Although there were no significant differences in egg quality parameters in all groups (Table 3), egg breaking strength and shell thickness was numerically influenced by supplemental humate or boric acid in this trial. On the other hand Qin & Klandorf (1991) reported that egg shell thickness was not affected by 100 mg/kg B in aged broiler breeder hens. In present study addition of humate and boric acid (H and BA groups) were brought increase egg breaking strength than control group 2.12 and 2.83%, respectively.…”

Analysis of Boron Content in Frequently Consumed Foods in Korea

“…Its function with regards to nutrition for skeletal structure was proposed in a study by Hunt and Nielsen [7], which reported that supplementation of boron enhanced growth and strengthened skeletal structure in chickens with vitamin D deficiency. Particularly, through experiments on animals [8][9][10][11][12] and humans [13][14][15][16], boron seems to interact with bone metabolism, especially with calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, to serve an important role in structure and mineral increase of bones.…”

Estimation of Boron Intake and its Relation with Bone Mineral Density in Free-Living Korean Female Subjects

“…Its function with regards to nutrition for skeletal structure was proposed in a study by Hunt and Nielsen [3], which reported that supplementation of boron enhanced growth and strengthened skeletal structure in chickens with vitamin D deficiency. Particularly through experiments on animals [4][5][6][7][8] and humans [9][10][11][12], boron seems to interact with bone metabolism, especially with calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, to serve an important role in structure and mineral increase of bones.…”