Abstract

This experiment was conducted at Al-Amer Poultry Company (Private Sector) in Babil Governorate for the period 6/14/2020 - 10/14/2020 in order to test new, efficient molting methods that are compatible with animal welfare. Four hundred and eighty Lohman red laying hens, 85 weeks old, were randomly divided into five treatment groups, each treatment 6 replicates.The experimental treatments included: the first treatment (T1), the second treatment (T2), the third treatment (T3), the fourth treatment (T4) and the fifth treatment (T5) which means a control treatment without molting process, the California method, a new method, adding 20 gm/kg feed Nano zinc oxide and 25 gm zinc oxide/kg feed, respectively. The results showed a cessation of egg production and a loss of about 25-26% of the chicken's body weight, as well as a significant decrease in the weights of the liver, pancreas, ovary and oviduct at the end of the molting process in all molting treatments. Egg production increased significantly in the period of egg production post molting (13 weeks) in all molting treatments compared to the control treatment. It is concluded that the new method and the two methods of adding zinc oxide and nano zinc oxide to the feed are effective and merciful as it does not deprive the birds of eating the feed compared to the traditional California method.

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The article was added to IASJ on 2022-05-09

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