Use of Lycopene, an Antioxidant Carotinoid, in Laying Hens for Egg Yolk Pigmentation

Abstract

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.