Observations on the calcium balance of laying hens

1960 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hurwitz ◽  
P. Griminger
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Unit Surface Area ◽  
Calcium Balance ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Calcium Retention ◽  
High Calcium ◽  
Positive Balance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Egg Shell

Two groups of Single Comb White Leghorn pullets, 4 months of age, were fed 1·85 and 2·70% calcium in the diet, respectively, for twelve consecutive periods, each consisting of 4 weeks.Records of egg production and egg weight were kept throughout the entire experiment for each hen. Calcium balance and egg-shell quality studies were conducted with 16 pullets for 5 consecutive days out of each 28-day period.A highly significant difference between the lots favouring the high-calcium birds was found in egg production, shell weight, and calcium retention. There were no significant differences between the lots in percentage calcium retention, food consumption, and body weight. The high-calcium group was shown to retain more calcium from the feed and excrete more calcium through eggs. Calcium retention and percentage calcium retention increased upon commencement of egg production to reach a maximum at the second period of production. Both remained fairly constant thereafter.The hens went into negative balance early in production and returned to positive balance during the later part of the first laying year. The return to positive balance could be explained by an increase in calcium retention and a decrease in egg production. There was no reduction in shell weight, or shell weight per unit surface area during the period covered by this trial.

scholarly journals The Response of Layer Hen Productivity and Egg Quality to an Additional Limestone Source when Offered Diets Differing in Calcium Concentrations and the Inclusion of Phytase

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2991
Author(s):  
Isabelle Ruhnke ◽  
Yeasmin Akter ◽  
Terence Zimazile Sibanda ◽  
Aaron J. Cowieson ◽  
Stuart Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
The Impact

Laying hens require substantial quantities of calcium (Ca) to maintain egg production. However, maintaining recommended dietary Ca through inclusion of limestone may impede nutrient digestibility, including that of other minerals. It was hypothesized that providing a separate source of dietary Ca in the form of limestone grit would preserve Ca intake of hens offered diets containing suboptimal Ca concentrations. Furthermore, the impact of dietary phytase at a “superdosing” inclusion rate on the voluntary consumption of limestone grit was evaluated. One hundred and forty-four laying hens (19 weeks of age) were assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement comprising three dietary Ca concentrations (40, 30, and 20 g/kg) and ±dietary phytase (3500 FYT/kg diet) on an ad libitum basis for six weeks. Limestone grit (3.4 ± 1.0 mm) was provided to all hens ad libitum. Hens offered diets containing phytase consumed significantly less limestone grit p = 0.024). Egg weight, rate of lay, and egg mass were unaffected by dietary treatment (p > 0.05). Egg shell weight % (p < 0.001), shell thickness (p < 0.001), and shell breaking strength (p < 0.01) decreased in line with dietary Ca levels. In summary, dietary superdosing with phytase reduced the consumption of a separate limestone source in individually housed, early lay ISA Brown hens. Egg shell quality variables but not egg production worsened in line with lower dietary Ca levels.

scholarly journals Dual-Purpose Poultry in Organic Egg Production and Effects on Egg Quality Parameters

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
Marianne Hammershøj ◽  
Gitte Hald Kristiansen ◽  
Sanna Steenfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Genotype A

Egg laying genotypes have been selected for generations due to their high yield and egg quality, resulting in efficient feed utilization and low body weight; hence, they are not suitable for meat production. This imposes an issue for the male layer chicks, which are killed at one day old. Because of ethical and food waste concerns, the search for suitable dual-purpose genotypes in order to avoid euthanasia of male day-old chicks has intensified. The aim of the present study is to evaluate potential dual-purpose genotypes for their egg quality compared to a representative egg laying genotype. Three dual-purpose genotypes with divergent characteristics were evaluated: genotype A represented an experimental crossbreed based on a broiler type male and an egg layer female, genotype B was a pure breed, and genotype C was a crossbreed of a layer type. These were compared to a control genotype D, which was an egg layer. Eggs were collected six times during the period of 21–54 weeks of hen age, i.e., a total of 1080 shell eggs were analyzed. Examined parameters were weights of egg, shell, yolk, and albumen, by calculating their relative proportions. Shell quality was assessed by shell strength, shell stiffness, and shell thickness. Yolk quality was determined as yolk color and inclusions of blood and meat spots, and albumen quality was evaluated in terms of pH and dry matter (DM) content. The egg layer genotype produced the smallest eggs with least blood and meat spot inclusions compared to that produced by the three dual-purpose genotypes. Shell quality was superior for the layer genotype. However, the experimental genotype A laid eggs of comparable shell quality, albumen DM, and yolk weight, but also with the darkest and most red-yellow colored yolk. The two other dual-purpose genotypes produced eggs of low-medium quality. In conclusion, the genotype A could serve as dual-purpose genotype from an egg quality perspective.

Assessing the response of hen weight, body composition, feather score, egg quality, and level of excreta nitrogen content to digestible balanced protein intake of laying hens

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kumar ◽  
C. Raginski ◽  
K. Schwean-Lardner ◽  
H.L. Classen
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
N Content ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Level Of Significance

Ideally balanced dietary protein is critical for laying hen egg production and feed efficiency, but also affects other important characteristics. This research was designed to study the nonegg production and feed intake response of Lohmann-LSL Lite hens to 550, 625, 700, 775, and 850 mg d−1 of amino acid balanced digestible lysine (Dlys) from 27 to 66 wk of age. Data collection included hen weight (HW), feather scoring, tissue weights, egg specific gravity, egg component weights, and excreta nitrogen (N) content. The experiment was a completely randomized design and level of significance was fixed at P ≤ 0.05. Hen weight (quadratic, Q), pectoralis muscle (absolute, % – Q), and abdominal fat (absolute – linear, L; % – Q) increased with increasing Dlys intake. Although gastrointestinal segment weights and lengths were affected by Dlys intake, interpretation of results was confounded by other aspects of diet composition. Hen feather score (L) and excreta N content (Q) increased, and egg shell quality (L) decreased with increasing Dlys intake. Absolute egg component weights increased with Dlys intake, but effects on proportional weights were Q and relatively minor. In conclusion, balanced Dlys intake affected a variety of practical nonproduction characteristics in laying hens.

Effect of perches and solid sides on production, plumage and foot condition of laying hens housed in conventional cages in a naturally ventilated shed

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
PC Glatz ◽  
JL Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Hot Weather

The effect of modified cages on production, shell quality, feather cover and foot condition was measured in 2 Australian commercial laying strains housed in a naturally ventilated laying shed from 18 to82 weeks of age. Two cage modifications were investigated. Firstly , the inclusion of a perch within the cage, and secondly, the installation of solid sides. Compared with normal cages, installation of a perch in a cage reduced food intake (5.3%) and liveweight (4.5% at 82 weeks) and improved feather cover around the vent (feather score of 2.15 to 2.66). This was offset by a decrease in egg production (2.4%), shell weight (1.5%) and thickness (11%), an increase in cracked (53.8%) and dirty eggs (28.9%), and an increase in claw length (9.2%). Relative to control cages, the provision of solid sides in cages improved overall feather cover of hens (feather score of 2.46 to 2.67), but there was a 54.5% increase in hen mortality during a period of hot weather. Additional modifications to the cage are required to optimise the benefit of perches. Similarly, improvement in ventilation and cooling in naturally ventilated sheds are required to maximise the benefits of solid-sided cages for hens and avoid heat stress.

Intermittent lighting and dietary sodium bicarbonate supplementation for laying hens at high temperatures

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Balnave ◽  
S. K. Muheereza
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Bicarbonate ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Lighting Regimen

Point-of-lay pullets were housed in 2 temperature-controlled rooms maintained at a constant 32°C with either a conventional 16 h light : 8 h dark (16L : 8D) or an intermittent 3L : 1D lighting regimen. They were fed either a conventional layer diet (12·0 MJ of ME and 199 g crude protein/kg) or this diet supplemented with 1% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Production and egg shell quality measurements were made at 8-week intervals from 22 to 62 weeks of age. All measures were influenced by age. The 3L : 1D regimen significantly increased feed intake (P < 0·001), weight gain (P < 0·01), egg weight (P < 0·001), egg shell breaking strength (P < 0·001), and shell thickness (P < 0·01). Significant age×light interactions were observed for feed intake, egg production, and egg mass. Hens in the 3L : 1D regimen ate significantly (P < 0·001) more food and produced significantly (P < 0·01) greater egg mass to 46 weeks of age. No significant differences were observed after 46 weeks. Although not significant, NaHCO3 consistently improved shell breaking strength. The response was small in the 16L : 8D regimen (3%) compared with the 3L : 1D environment (7%), the latter being additional to the 14% improvement resulting from the use of the 3L : 1D regimen. The results indicate advantages from the use of intermittent lighting and dietary NaHCO3 supplementation at high temperatures.

The influence of calcium and phosphorus in prelayer diets and their interaction with sodium chloride and potassium sulfate in layer diets on egg production and shell quality in crossbred layers

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (110) ◽  
pp. 287
Author(s):  
H Karunajeewa ◽  
M Fox
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Bodyweight Gain ◽  
Potassium Sulfate ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Tibia Ash

In a 43x2 factorial experiment, 576 White Leghorn x Australorp pullets attaining 50% egg production at about 180 days of age were given from 22 to 26 weeks of age pre-layer diets with 10.4 or 25.8 g kg-1 calcium and 6.2 or 10.9 g kg-1 phosphorus. From 26 to 74 weeks of age these pullets were given layer diets with three levels (0, 1.5 and 7.0 g kg-1) of added sodium chloride and two levels (0 and 6.0 g kg-1) of added potassium sulfate. The calcium content of the pre-layer diet had no significant effect on feed intake, bodyweight gain or tibia-ash content between 22 and 26 weeks of age, or on egg production, egg weight, feed conversion efficiency and mortality in the subsequent laying phase. The higher level (25.8 g kg-1) of calcium improved (P<0.05) the shell quality of the first eggs laid and prevented a decline in shell quality due to excess sodium chloride (7.0 g kg-1) in the layer diet. A phosphorus level of 10.9 g kg-1 of the pre-layer diet reduced (P<0.05) feed intake, and in the subsequent laying phase both hen-housed egg production and efficiency of feed conversion were reduced (P<0.05). The adverse effect on feed conversion efficiency was alleviated by adding potassium sulfate to the diet. The level of phosphorus in the pre-layer diet had no significant effect on tibia-ash content or egg shell quality. The dietary level of sodium chloride had no significant effect on egg weight, feed intake and bodyweight gain. The inclusion of sodium chloride at a level of 7.0 g kg-1 diet tended to depress rate of lay by 2.0% and during the first half of the laying cycle, increased mortality by 12.5% (P<0.05) and reduced egg shell weight and thickness (P<0.05) in birds given pre-layer diets with a low calcium content. A daily intake of 137 to 139 mg of sodium per bird was not adequate for maintenance of egg production and efficiency of feed conversion in crossbred layers. The sodium requirement of a crossbred layer given a diet containing meat and bone meal is about 160 mg/day. The adverse effects due to either a low intake of sodium or a high level of sodium chloride in the diet were alleviated by the inclusion of 6.0 g kg-1 potassium sulfate in the diet. The inclusion of potassium sulfate (6.0 g kg-1) in the layer diet increased rate of lay by 2.1% (P<0.05).

scholarly journals Optimal dietary concentrations of vitamin C and chromium picolinate for alleviating the effect of low ambient temperature (6.2 degrees C) on egg production, some egg characteristics, and nutrient digestibility in laying hens

2001 ◽  
Vol 46 (No. 9–10) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sahin ◽  
K. Sahin
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Chromium Picolinate ◽  
Shell Weight ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Haugh Unit ◽  
Low Ambient Temperature

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) on egg production, some egg characteristics, and digestibility of nutrients in laying hens (Hy-Line) reared under a low ambient temperature (6.2&deg;C). Two hundred and ten laying hens (32 week-old) were divided into seven groups, 30&nbsp;hens per group. The treatment groups were designed in a 2 &times; 3 factorial arrangement using two levels of vitamin C (125 and 250 mg/kg of diet) and three levels of chromium picolinate (200, 400, or 800 &micro;g/kg of diet), and control group was fed basal diet. The highest values of performance were obtained if 250 mg/kg vitamin C was supplemented with either 400 or 800 &micro;g Cr per kg of diet. An interaction between vitamin C and chromium for egg production (P&nbsp;= 0.05) and feed efficiency (P&nbsp;= 0.02) was detected. Similarly, egg weight, specific gravity, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and Haugh unit improved with diet containing 250 mg vitamin C and either 400 or 800 &micro;g Cr per kg of diet (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05). Digestibility of dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE) were higher with higher dietary vitamin C (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05) and also with higher Cr (P&nbsp;&pound; 0.05). There were no interactions between vitamin C and chromium detected for any parameters measured for egg quality in terms of egg weight, specific gravidity, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and Haugh unit and digestibility of nutrients (P&nbsp;&sup3; 0.28). Data obtained in the present study shows that a combination of 250 mg vitamin C and 400 &micro;g chromium per kg of diet gave the best results in laying hens reared under a low ambient temperature and a conclusion is suggested that such a diet can be considered as a protective management practice in poultry to alleviate, at least in part, the depressive effect of cold stress on poultry performance.

Influence of high calcium rearing diets, Christmas Island phosphate and ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid on the laying performance of White Leghorn × Australorp hens

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (89) ◽  
pp. 944
Author(s):  
H Karunajeewa
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Christmas Island ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
High Calcium ◽  
Reduced Rate

White Leghorn x Australorp pullets were reared on diets with either low (0.91-1.12 per cent) or high (1.45-1.93 per cent) levels of calcium; in the laying phase pullets from each rearing regime were fed diets with either sterilized bone meal or Christmas Island phosphate as sources of supplemental phosphorus. Each of these layer diets was supplemented with 0, 300 or 500 p.p.m. of EDTA. The level of calcium in the rearing diets had no significant effect on liveweight, feed intake or mortality of the pullets during either the rearing or laying phases. High calcium starter and grower diets, however, reduced rate of lay by 2.1 per cent (P < 0.05) and efficiency of feed conversion by 3.7 per cent (P < 0.01). There was also a non-significant tendency to lower shell thickness. The inclusion of 2.5 per cent Christmas Island phosphate in the laying diet, resulting in a daily intake of 46 mg of fluorine per hen, decreased rate of lay by 2.2 per cent (P < 0.05), hen-housed egg production by 11 eggs (P < 0.05) and efficiency of feed conversion by 5.0 per cent (P < 0.01). The addition of 300 p.p.m. EDTA to the laying diet significantly (P < 0.01) improved efficiency of feed conversion by 4.7 per cent. Neither the source of phosphorus nor the dietary level of EDTA had any significant effects on liveweight, egg weight, feed intake, shell quality or mortality.

scholarly journals Growth of tomato plantlets in soilless culture, enriched with egg shell waste and algae

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167
Author(s):  
Handan Ertürk
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Content ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Mineral Contents ◽  
Soil Nutrition ◽  
High Calcium ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Shell Waste ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
Eggshell Waste

In this research, it was aimed to use the Chlorella Vulgaris algae, and eggshell waste (ESW) as different mineral sources for tomato plant nutrition in soilless culture. Algae is seen as safe, sustainable energy source. Egg shell waste is known to be valuable for high calcium content and minerals therefore, has been considered as mineral enrichment source. Although there are several papers on the soil nutrition, there is not as much information on eggshell waste and algae use for plant production in soilless culture. In the controlled atmosphere of the laboratory, a set-up was constructed for pumping the liquid medium (hydroponics) circulating in the tubes holding the tomato plantlets. The liquid nutrient solutions used for soilless culture treatments were media enriched with algae, enriched with ESW and blank (hydroponic only). Research was conducted for 3 months, the final weight of harvested tomatoes and mineral uptake of the plant (stalk and tomato) for different treatments were measured. Algae added medium gave higher results in tomato weight, than ESW added and blank treatments. Results showed that algae and ESW addition led to increased Ca content in harvested tomato, as well as minerals such as B, K, Mg, and Zn. The results were as expected in terms of increase in mineral contents, but the statistics showed no significant difference between treatments.

The effect on egg shell quality of supplementing saline drinking water with sodium or ammonium bicarbonate

1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Yoselewitz ◽  
D Zhang ◽  
D Balnave
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Ammonium Bicarbonate ◽  
Fluid Composition ◽  
Shell Quality ◽  
Egg Shell ◽  
The Town ◽  
Reduced Water

Supplementing the town water supply of laying hens with 600 mg sodium chloride (NaCl)/L significantly decreased egg shell quality and significantly increased the incidence of egg shell defects without affecting egg production and egg weight or food and water intakes. A smaller, but still significant, increase in egg shell defects was also observed with sodium bicarbonate (NHCO3) supplementation of town water. Ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) supplementation of town water had no significant effect on egg shell defects and, when added to drinking water containing NaCl, significantly reduced the incidence of shell defects. A smaller beneficial effect was observed when NHCO3was added to saline water. Ammonium bicarbonate, when added to saline drinking water at concentrations of 250 and 450 mg/L, reduced water intake, an effect not observed when these same supplements were added to town water. This suggests that the presence of NaCl in the water may affect kidney function so that the use of NH4HCO3may have limited value, especially at higher water salinities. Shell gland fluid composition was influenced less by treatment than by whether or not hens were laying eggs with defective shells.

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