This study was conducted with 25-week-old ISA-Brown layers receiving 15 h of light per day. The experimental diets contained 0, 4, 8, and 12 g lycopene per g meal, respectively (Table The layers were individually caged (453035 cm), and each layer was restricted to 110 g of feed per day. The layers had free access to water at all times. The basal diet was fed to caged laying hens for a minimum of 14 days before their eggs were collected for evaluation of yolk pigmentation. The diets containing lycopene were stored under dark and cool conditions for no longer than 7 days. Eggs used for determining yolk pigmentation were collected during a 16 day period. Strict hygienic measures were taken and the house temperature was maintained between 18 to 22C during the experiment period.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kang et al. (2003) studied this question.