Effect of salt from feed and water on performance of laying hens.

摘要: A total of 420 native and White Leghorn laying hens, 36 to 43 weeks old, in 7 treatments were fed on a diet containing different amounts of sodium chloride mixed with the feed or dissolved in drinking water. Increasing the level of salt intake from drinking water or feed caused no reduction in egg production, daily feed intake, feed conversion efficiency or Haugh unit. However, addition of salt to drinking water increased egg weight. Salt, added to drinking water, reduced egg shell thickness. Reduction or elimination of salt from the feed did not improve shell thickness of eggs laid by hens given saline drinking water. The reduction in shell thickness was not related to the reduction in feed intake or increases in egg weight.