Abstract
The influence of different levels of selenium (selenium yeast and sodium selenite), in feed for laying hens, on egg production, egg quality and selenium content in yolk was investigated. The experiment was established with 30 molted hens (hybrid Hisex Brown), divided in three groups, 10 in each and accommodated 2 per cage. The experimental molted hens were aged 80 weeks on the beginning of the experiment. The control group receive basal feed with 0.30 mg Se kg-1 from sodium selenite, and the group 2 and 3 0.38 mg Se kg-1 and 0.46 mg Se kg-1 from sodium selenite and selenium yeast. The egg production (intensity and egg mass) were significantly higher in the experimental groups with supplementation of selenium yeast in the feed. The egg weight, egg white and egg shell weight were significantly higher in the experimental groups 2 and 3. The yolk weight was not affected by different levels of the selenium in the feed. Selenium content in the yolk was higher in eggs from laying hens fed with higher amount of selenium. Average content of selenium in egg yolk were 2.70 µg in the control group, 2.92 µg in group 2 and 4.70 µg in group 3. The obtain results of this study indicate that selenium have an influence on egg production, some egg quality parameters and selenium deposition in egg yolk.
