This invention relates to the use of the combination of 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 OH D3) and antioxidants (ascorbic acid vitamin E and canthaxanthin) to make a premix or feed for use in maintain increasing or ameliorating the decrease of 17 estradiol levels in poultry which are observed when poultry is fed ad libitum thereby extending the poultry s egg laying life.