Effects of dietary boron supplementation on laying hens

Abstract

1. The effects of dietary boron on egg production and on the ultimate shear force, stress, and fracture energy of the tibia, femur, humerus, and radius from White Leghorn laying hens were investigated. 2. The shear force, stress, and fracture energy of the bones were not affected by increasing dietary concentrations of boron. 3. Egg production, food consumption and body weight were suppressed at a dietary boron concentration of 400 mg/kg. 4. Boron concentrations increased significantly in all tissue samples tested in birds given 400 mg/kg dietary boron.