SUMMARY
In this study, the effects of vitamin E (∝-tocopheryl acetate) and vitamin
C (L-ascorbic acid) supplementation in diets were investigated on feed
consumption, egg production, egg quality in laying hens exposed to chronic
heat stress. The experiment was carried out from July 15th to September
15th. A total of 120 Hyline-White Leghorn hens, 150 days old, were divided
into four groups of 30 birds. One group was fed with basal diet (control
group) and treatment groups were fed with the basal diet supplemented with
either 125 mg of ∝-tocopheryl acetate /kg of diet (Vit E group), and 200 mg
of L-ascorbic acid /kg of diet (Vit C group) or 125 mg of ∝-tocopheryl acetate
/kg of diet plus 200 mg of L-ascorbic acid of diet (Vit E + C group).
Although feed intake among groups did not significantly differ, mortality
has significantly decreased in supplemented birds compared to the controls
(p