Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
PESQUISA AGROPECUARIA BRASILEIRA, cilt.60, sa.2, ss.1-9, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of L-ascorbic acid supplementation at different stocking densities on the performance, egg quality, tonic immobility, and hematological parameters of laying hens. For this, 160 Hy-line W-80 white laying hens, with 58 weeks of age, were subjected to four treatments with ten replicates, combining stocking density (560 or 336 cm2 per hen) and L-ascorbic acid supplementation (0 or 150 mg kg-1 of feed). The data were analyzed in a 2×2 factorial arrangement, using a general linear model. The high stocking density of 336 cm2 per hen resulted in: a lower final body weight; a lower egg production; a higher feed intake; a higher feed conversion ratio; and no effect on egg yield, weight, mass, and shell quality, as well as on tonic immobility, serum glucose, cholesterol, and alanine aminotransferase. The high stocking density, irrespective of supplementation, reduced the Haugh unit and increased respiratory rate, feather loss, and the concentrations of serum triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, and cortisol. L-ascorbic acid supplementation improved feed intake and egg yolk color. However, supplementation does not eliminate the negative effects of the high stocking density on the performance, egg characteristics, or physiological parameters of laying hens.