Objectives were to evaluate effects of supplemental zinc hydroxychloride (HYD; Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) on production parameters and metabolism during feed restriction (FR) in midlactation Holstein cows. Twenty-four cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) ad libitum-fed and control diet (ALCON; 75 ppm zinc [Zn] from Zn sulfate; n = 6), 2) ad libitum-fed and HYD diet (ALHYD; 75 ppm Zn from HYD; n = 6), 3) 40% of ad libitum feed intake and control diet (AL40CON; n = 6), or 4) 40% of ad libitum feed intake and HYD diet (AL40HYD; n = 6). Before study initiation, cows were fed their respective diets for 21d. The trial consisted of 2 experimental periods (P) during which cows continued to receive their respective dietary treatments. Period 1 (5d) served as the baseline for P2 (5d), during which cows were fed ad libitum or restricted to 40% of P1 feed intake. Effects of treatment, day, and their interaction were assessed using PROC MIXED (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Feed restriction decreased body weight (45 kg) and markedly reduced EBAL compared with controls (3.01 vs. −14.42 Mcal/d, respectively; P < 0.01). DMI of AL40 cows decreased (60%) during P2 relative to AL cows (P < 0.01). Milk yield in AL40 cows progressively decreased throughout the 5 d of FR relative to ad libitum-fed cows (30%; P < 0.01). Milk yield and DMI tended to be increased in HYD supplemented cows across both P1 and P2 (12 and 7% relative to CON, respectively; P ≤ 0.13). There was limited treatment effect on milk composition. Relative to AL cows, FR cows had decreased circulating glucose, insulin, and glucagon (10, 68, and 31%, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). FR increased circulating NEFA relative to AL cows (5-fold; P < 0.01). BHB concentrations were unaffected by FR, but were increased in HYD supplemented cows relative to CON (33%; P = 0.06). Circulating BUN initially increased then gradually decreased in AL40 cows during P2, while concentrations remained unaffected in AL cows (P < 0.01). In summary, HYD supplementation tended to increase DMI and milk yield during both periods, tended to increase BHB during P2, but did not influence the other parameters during an intense FR.