Beyond Pigmentation: The Role of Carotenoids in Biological Function and Egg Quality in Laying Hens

Webinar Overview:

Carotenoids are widely used in poultry diets for yolk pigmentation, but growing scientific evidence shows they play broader physiological roles in laying hens. This webinar will explore how carotenoids support antioxidant function, oxidative balance, and lipid metabolism, and how factors such as stress, health, and feed formulation influence their utilization and deposition in eggs.

It will also cover global variations in the xanthophyll content of corn, highlighting why this variability is critical for building effective, precision‑based egg yolk pigmentation strategies.

These insights will be translated into practical insights for commercial layers and breeder flocks, highlighting implications for egg quality, reproductive performance, and production consistency.

Key Takeaways:

• Physiological roles of carotenoids in laying hens beyond pigmentation, including antioxidant function and maintenance of oxidative balance
• Key factors influencing carotenoid utilization and deposition under commercial conditions, including stress, health status, and feed formulation
• Practical applications of carotenoids in layer and breeder nutrition, linking biological mechanisms to egg quality, reproductive performance, and consistent production outcomes