Observations on the mineral metabolism of pullets. II
1. Where heavy phosphorus excretion accompanies egg laying in the pullet the excretion of ammonia nitrogen is simultaneously increased. It is probable that this indicates an excretion of excess phosphate in the urine as ammonium phosphate.2. It is shown that heavy phosphorus excretion does not accompany egg laying provided the calcium carbonate intake is sufficiently high.3. The origin of the excess of phosphorus excretion is discussed in relation to calcium-phosphorus metabolism.4. Pullets on a ration containing 5 per cent, calcium carbonate laid eggs containing a higher percentage of P2O5 than pullets receiving a similar ration but from which the calcium carbonate supplement was omitted.5. Some evidence is put forward in support of the view that current standards pitch the requirements of digestible protein for egg production at too high a level.