Effect of dietary chromium picolinate and ascorbic acid on nutrients digestion and mineral concentration in laying hens under winter condition in Egypt
Abstract: The effect of chromium picolinate (Cr) and vitamin C dietary supplementation on digestion of nutrients, and, mineral concentration in laying hens were studied under winter condition (December - February). 150 laying hens, 30 weeks of old were divided into 5 groups (n=30). Hens in the groups 1- 4 exposed to natural low environmental temperature (maximum 18°C) with relative humidity 65%. The fifth group was kept in controlled temperature room (25°C) and kept as control. The birds were fed either basal diet (16.4% crude protein and 2750 kcal/ kg diet), or the basal diet supplemented with either 250 mg of vit C / kg of diet, 400 ppb of Cr / kg diet or 250 mg vit C plus 400 ppb Cr /kg diet. The fifth group were feed on the basal diet without any supplementation. Except for crude fiber, cold stress impaired nutrient digestibility and mineral retention compared with those of birds exposed to normal ambient temperature. A combination of vit. C and Cr rather than each alone, provided the better digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and mineral retention. The highest nutrient digestibility and retention were observed for Ca, P, Fe and Zn with the combination of vitamin C and Cr and the lowest values with the control diet (p<0.05). It could be concluded that the combination between vit. C and Cr may improve the retention of nitrogen and minerals retention in laying hens under low ambient temperature.
Publication year 2008
Pages 840-844
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title World's Poulty Science Journal
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    يحى زكريا عيد جامعة كفر الشيخ
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Ascorbic acid. Digestion. Egypt. Layer chickens. Mineral content. Nutrients. Winter.
Proposed Agrovoc chromium picolinate;
Publication Type Conference/Workshop
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