Abstract
Summary
Mono-beta-aminopropionitrile • fumarate (BAPN) at .03% and .06% of the diet of laying hens reduced egg production from 62% to 29% at the lower level and from 62% to 12% at the higher level of supplementation. These levels of supplementation caused a high incidence of soft shelled and malformed eggs. After 4 weeks supplementation 33% of all eggs laid were soft shelled at the .03% dietary level of BAPN and 78% were soft shelled at the .06% level. BAPN at the level of .01% of the diet did not affect egg production or shell formation. Hatchability of fertile eggs was decreased by levels of .01%, .03% and .06% of BAPN in the diet. Hatchability was reduced to 41% in the group receiving .01% BAPN after 4 weeks supplementation compared to the control at 61%. Hatchability decreased to 0 in 4 weeks at the .03% level and to 0 in 3 weeks in the group receiving .06% BAPN. Following removal of BAPN from the diet both egg production and hatchability increased and the percent of soft shelled eggs decreased. Hemorrhages were found in 40% to 80% of the dead embryos from the groups fed .03% and .06% BAPN.
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