The effect of dietary copper sulphate on laying performance, nutrient intake and tissue copper and iron levels of the mature, laying, domestic fowl.

1. A cereal-based diet containing 16 mg copper/kg was fed ad lib. to a group of laying hens for 35 d. Five other groups were given this control diet to which was added 120, 240, 480, and 1920 mg Cu/kg (as copper sulphate). 2. Records were kept of daily food intake, water intake and egg production. 3. After 35 d the hens were slaughtered and blood haemoglobin, packed cell volume, Cu and aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) levels assayed. Liver, oviduct, kidney and breast muscle Cu and iron concentrations were measured. 4. Food and water intakes were depressed by the two highest levels of dietary Cu and water intake was increased by the diet with 240 mg added Cu/kg. Both food and water intake showed a quadratic relationship with the level of added dietary Cu. 5. Body-weight loss was increased by the addition of Cu and showed a significant linear relationship with the concentration of added Cu in the diet. Liver and oviduct weights were depressed at the two highest levels of Cu addition. 6. Liver and oviduct Cu and Fe concentrations were significantly increased by high dietary Cu and mean total liver and kidney Cu and Fe showed an increase although for the liver this was not statistically significant.