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