Effects of Canthaxanthin on Egg Production, Egg Quality, and Egg Yolk Color in Laying Hens

The effects of canthaxanthin (CTX) on egg production, (average daily feed intake) ADFI, egg quality, and yolk color compared with natural xanthophylls in feedstuffs in laying hens were studied in a 5-wk trial. A total of 280 36-wk-old ISA Brown layers were divided into the following 7 treatments: T1, negative control (30% corn+20% wheat); T2, diet with 50% corn; T3, diet with 5% DDGS; T4, diet with 10% DDGS; T5, T1+0.011% CTX; T6, T1+0.021% CTX; T7, commercial diet with 40% corn. Although ADFI, and egg quality were not affected by dietary treatments, the egg production was higher (P<0.05) in diet supplemented with 0.021% colorant than diet with 50% corn, and diet supplemented 0.011% colorant. Yolk color in layers fed the diet contained 10% DDGS was higher (P<0.05) than the layers fed the T1 diet, and the diet with 5% DDGS. Yolk color score was linearly improved (P<0.05) when the diet supplemented with 0.011%, and 0.021% CTX. Higher yolk color score was also observed (P<0.05) when layers fed commercial diet compared with control diet, and the diet with higher natural xanthophylls. In conclusion, egg production and yolk color were improved when layers fed diet supplemented with colorant. S style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: