Effects of different induced moulting methods on plasma thyroid hormones of laying hens

Year 2007, Issue: 1, 1 - 13, 08.05.2007

Kemal Özdem Öztabak Gülhan Türkay Hoşturk Cevat Nisbet

Abstract

The objective of the study is to
assess the effect of two different induced moulting methods on plasma thyroxine
(T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) concentrations of laying
hens. In this study, 96 Isabrown hens, 72­weeks of age were used. The hens were
randomly divided into two rooms. Two control groups (FAST CON and Lo Na CON)
were caged in the first room, each containing 24 hens, and two treatment groups
(FAST and Lo Na) were caged in the second room, each containing 24 hens.  Feed was withdrawn from the hens in the first
treatment group (FAST) for 10 days and water were provided ad libitum.
The photoperiod was reduced to 7h/day. On day 11, hens consumed the standard
pullet grower rationad libitum until day 41 and hens were returned the
standard full feed layer ration and received. Lo Na group was fed layer ration
containing 0.08 % sodium until 41 days. The hens in the control groups were fed the standard layer ration during
experimental periods. In both experimental groups, plasma T₃ concentrations
in the premoult period were lower than moulting periods (p<0.05). The plasma
T₄ concentrations in premoult period were also measured lower than
moult and postmoult periods (p<0.05). When two moulting procedures compared
with each other, T₄ concentrations of Lo Na group were higher than
FAST group. But, T₃ concentrations of both experimental groups were
nearly similar with each other, except postmoult period. As conclusion, results
of this study indicated that low sodium diet as effective as fasting method, when T₃ and T₄ concentrations
were taken into consideration. 

Keywords

Fasting method, Laying hence, Low sodium diet, Moulting, Thyroid hormones

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