Use of canthaxanthin

摘要

The present invention relates to the use of canthaxanthin and at least one vitamin D metabolite, preferably 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25-OH D3), for improving internal egg quality. Interior egg quality, usually expressed in Haugh Units, is prolonged by feeding the laying poultry a diet containing canthaxanthin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3.

主权项

1. A method for improving egg quality as expressed in terms of Haugh units, which comprises administering to a layer hen in need of such treatment a diet comprising an amount of about 2 ppm to 100 ppm of canthaxanthin and about 10 μg/kg to about 100 μg/kg of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 sufficient to significantly increase the rate of the Haugh unit value of the eggs from the hen as compared with a diet which is absent the canthaxanthin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3.