Higher Bioavailability of Calcium in Chickens With a Novel In-Feed Pharmaceutical Formulation (original) (raw)
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Bioavailability of four calcium sources in the second-cycle egg-producing hens
Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 2020
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Calcium in pre-laying and laying rations on the performance and quality of laying hens’ eggshell
The experiment evaluated the effect of different calcium (Ca) levels in pre-laying and laying diets on the performance and egg quality of laying hens. Two hundred and fifty-six 16-week-old Brown Hisex pullets were housed in a conventional shed. The experiment had a completely randomized design with 4 x 2 factorial arrangement (four calcium levels -0.8, 1.3, 1.8 and 2.3% in pre-laying phase; two calcium levels -2.5 and 3.5% in laying phase), totaling eight treatments with four repetitions of eight birds per experimental unit. The experiment started with 16-week-old hens receiving pre-laying diets provided until they were 18 weeks old. At this period, the laying diets started. Four 28-day cycles were evaluated for the following variables: production and egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion, mass of eggs and eggshell quality. Results show that a good performance was obtained with 0.8% calcium level in the pre-laying phase, whereas in the laying phase the 3.5% calcium level provided greater weight egg and better eggshell quality.
International Journal of Poultry Science, 2006
In order to study the effect of four levels of extra calcium carbonate as limestone (0, 1, 2 and 3 g/hen/day, laying hen size, 3-4 mm) in a finished standard diets of laying hens, one hour before starting dark period, 160 Hy-line W36 laying hens, 85 weeks of age (after force molting) were selected and tested in a completely randomized block design with four treatments and four replicates. In a period of 8 weeks, feed intake (FI), egg weigh (EW), the number of cracked eggs (CE), the number of broken eggs (BE) and hen day egg production (HDEP) recorded daily. Eggshell quality including eggshell weight (ESW) and eggshell thickness (EST) were recorded every two weeks. CE, BE, ESW and EST were significantly improved by adding extra levels of calcium carbonate into the finished diets (P<0.05). The highest incidence of CE and BE were seen in treatment one (control diet with no added extra calcium carbonate) and the lowest incidence of these traits were seen in treatment four (3 g/hen/day extra calcium carbonate). The best and the worst quality of ESW and EST were also seen in treatment four and one, respectively. Under the conditions of this study, it was concluded that use of 3g/hen/day extra calcium carbonate before starting the dark period in laying hens improves egg quality traits and therefore more benefits to egg producers and more healthy eggs for consumers.
Poultry Science, 2008
A total of 1,152 Lohmann Brown laying hens were used to study the influence of level (3.5 and 4.0%) and source (coded FIN, COA, and OYS) of Ca in the diet on productive performance and egg quality from 58 to 73 wk of age. The FIN diet contained all the Ca carbonate as fine limestone (LIM). In the COA and OYS diets, 40% of the fine LIM was substituted with either coarse LIM or oyster shell. Each treatment was replicated 8 times (24 hens). Productive performance and egg quality traits were recorded every 4 wk, and tibia characteristics and shell quality traits were determined at 73 wk of age. An increase in Ca intake from 4.08 to 4.64 g/hen per day improved egg production (71.2 vs. 74.9%; P < 0.001), egg mass (49.0 vs. 51.4 g; P < 0.05), and feed conversion ratio (2.43 vs. 2.30 kg of feed/kg of egg; P < 0.001). In addition, an increase in Ca intake improved shell weight (9.98 vs. 10.20%; P < 0.05), shell thickness (0.342 vs. 0.351 mm; P < 0.01), and shell density (82.0 vs. 83.8 mg/cm 2 ; P < 0.001). Calcium source had no effect on productive performance, tibia characteristics, or egg quality except for shell density, which was greater for hens fed COA than for hens fed FIN, with hens fed OYS being intermediate (81.9 vs. 84.0 vs. 82.7 mg/cm 2 , respectively; P < 0.05). It was concluded that Brown egg-laying hens in the late phase of production require more than 3.5% Ca in the diet (4.08 g of Ca/hen per day) and that the substitution of 40% of fine LIM with COA or OYS does not affect productive performance and has little impact on shell quality and tibia characteristics.
Effect of Dietary Calcium Sources on Laying Hens Performance and Egg Quality
Journal of Animal Production Advances, 2013
This study was designed to investigate the effect of feeding two different (oystershell and limestone) sources of calcium to layer hens (Bovan) on performance and egg shell quality. The experiment extended for 4 weeks during which 24 Bovan layers at 24 weeks were used. Birds were divided into two groups (12 bird/ treatment) with four replicates in each battery cage. Traits measured were egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio,, body weight change, egg weight, egg height, egg diameter, albumen weight, albumen height, yolk weight, shell weight, and shell thickness. Results showed that the source of calcium (oystershell versus limestone) significantly affected (P<0.05) egg production(59.82 Vs 76.19), feed intake(139.53 Vs142.02), feed conversion ratio(4.67 Vs 2.99) and body weight change (-4.67 Vs 8.91). On the other hand, the source of calcium had no significant effect (P<0.05) on egg weight, egg height, egg diameter, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, shell thickness and shell ash. The results suggest that the inclusion of lime stone in layers ration as calcium source is more beneficial than oystershell.
Arch. Anim. Breed., 58, 301-307, 2015
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of particle size of a dietary Ca source on egg production and eggshell quality when added to hens’ diets that have different levels of calcium. The experiment was carried out on 216 ISA Brown hens (25 to 70 weeks of age), allocated to 9 groups of 12 replicates (cages), with two birds in each cage. A 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was used, with three dietary levels of calcium (3.20, 3.70 and 4.20 %) and three levels of dietary substitutions (0, 25 and 50 %) of fine particles of limestone (FPL, diameter 0.2–0.6 mm) with large particles of limestone (LPL, diameter 1.0–1.4 mm) as a Ca source. The level of Ca in the diet had no effect on egg production, mean egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio or eggshell quality parameters (P>0:05). Substitution of FPL with LPL did not affect laying performance indices or eggshell quality at 30, 43 and 53 weeks of age (P>0:05); however, it increased (P<0:05) eggshell percentage, thickness, density and breaking strength in older hens (69 weeks of age). In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that a level of 3.20% Ca in a layer’s diet is sufficient through the entire laying cycle to maintain good egg production and eggshell quality and that partial (25 or 50 %) substitution of fine- with large-particle limestone can, irrespective of the level of Ca in the diet, improve eggshell quality in aged laying hens.
The Effect of Different Dietary Calcium Levels on Calcium Metabolism in Laying Hens
“Agriculture for Life, Life for Agriculture” Conference Proceedings, 2018
The experiment was carried out on four groups of Hy-Line var. Brown hens (n = 350 each) fed on diets which provided 2.49, 3.07, 3.78 and, respectively, 4.15 g% calcium (Ca) during the laying period. Consequently, mean daily Ca intake was 2.74, 3.38, 4.16 and 4.60 g/cap., respectively. Ca metabolism was assayed at 20 weeks of age (start of the laying), 36 weeks of age (the peak of the laying) and 68 weeks (the end of the laying period). A significant part of the ingested Ca was not absorbed. The percentage of Ca exonerated by feces was higher at the start of the laying and lowers in the peak of laying and at the end of the laying period. The amount of Ca exonerated as unabsorbed Ca increases as the amount of ingested Ca increases inside of each age level. It was found also an increase of the Ca content of the egg shell according the Ca intake statistically significant (P<0.05) in 36- and 68-wk.-old hens, but not in 20-wk.-old hens. Blood plasma Ca showed significantly higher value...
Calcium particle size and feeding time influence egg shell quality in laying hens
Acta Scientiarum. Animal Sciences
An experiment with Leghorn laying hens was undertaken to determine the effect of oyster shell particle size and feeding time on different production variables, calcium retention, plasma calcium content and egg internal and external quality. Two hundred Leghorn layers (40 weeks old old) were allocated in five dietary treatments with four replicates during ten weeks. Two particle size combinations (wherein 50% of calcium substituted by medium or coarse particles (1-2 mm and 2-4 mm respectively) and two feeding time (8-pm or 9-am) were compared against a control diet (100% ground, <1 mm which fed with meal). Egg number, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). Hens fed diets containing coarse Ca had significantly greater feed intake and calcium content of excreta (p > 0.05), whereas medium particle size reduced feed intake compared to control. Coarse particle size and feeding time at 9-pm significantly increased the calcium content of egg shell, egg shell thickness, egg surface area (ESA) and shell weight per unit surface area (SWUSA) (p < 0.05). Plasma calcium concentration, gizzard digesta calcium content and egg specific gravity were not affected by treatments (p > 0.05). Providing of calcium at 9-pm resulted an increase of egg shell (%), shell weight and thickness (p < 0.05). The results have shown that substitution of fine oyster shell with 50% coarse particles (2-4 mm) and feeding time at 9-pm have better effects on egg shell quality.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2020
Productive traits and immunity in laying hens decrease sharply during the late phase of laying due to aging, which negatively affects the metabolism and hormonal status of the animals. The influence of Ca levels (3.5, 4.0, and 4.5%) and/or cholecalciferol [Vitamin D 3 (VD 3)] supplementation (800-, 1,000-, and 1,200-IU/kg diet or as total of 3,800, 4,000, and 4,200 IC VD 3) on performance, egg quality, blood biochemistry, and immunity of brown egg layers was investigated. Three hundred and sixty H&N Brown egg layers (60 weeks old) were allocated at random into nine nutritional treatments of five replications (cages) of eight hens each. The control diet in this experiment contained a 3.5% Ca level with 800 IU VD 3. The addition of VD 3 at 1,000 and 1,200 IU to 3.5 and 4% Ca diets significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the rate of laying, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control diet on 3.5% and 800 U of VD 3. Besides this, the addition of VD 3 at 800 and 1,200 IU to 3.5% Ca level diets enhanced the Haugh unit score. Similar results were observed in eggshell quality measurements and tibia ash. Increasing the Ca concentration from 3.5 to 4 and 4.5% and increasing VD 3 levels from 800 to 1,000 or 1,200 IU significantly and similarly increased serum total protein and globulin. In addition, VD 3 at 1,000 IU increased serum albumin, compared to 800 IU. Increasing Ca level increased IgA, and 4 and 4.5% Ca levels similarly increased IgG and α-2 globulin compared to the 3.5% Ca diet. VD 3 addition at 1,200 IU to the 4% Ca diet significantly increased γ-globulin compared to 1,000 IU, but decreased β-globulin. Increasing the Ca level to 4% significantly reduced serum triglycerides, and the very low-density lipoprotein and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio were both decreased with 4 and 4.5% Ca level diets. Increasing the Ca level caused a stepwise increase in catalase, which was markedly increased with VD 3 supplementation at 1,200 IU. Plasma estrogen was increased considerably with VD 3 supplementation at 3.5% Ca, but parathyroid hormone levels were not affected. In conclusion, increasing Ca levels in the diet of laying hens to 4% Attia et al. Calcium and Vitamin D 3 for Layers during the late production phase could be a useful tool to improve laying performance, eggshell quality, Haugh unit score, and physiological and immunological status. Besides, VD 3 at a 1,000 IU/kg diet to 3.5% Ca improved performance of hens fed 3.5% Ca, showing that the potential impact of VD 3 depends on Ca concentrations.
Effect of Calcium Sources and Particle Size on Performance and Eggshell Quality in Laying Hens
Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 2014
An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different combination calcium sources and particle size on performance and egg shell quality in layer hens. In the experiment, 198 brown laying hens at 44 week of age were randomly assigned into 11 treatments groups. The experimental diets consisted of different calcium sources (Fine limestone, large limestone, large oyster shell and large egg shell) and their different combination. The experimental unit consisted of a groups of three hens, thus each treatment was replicated six times. Different calcium sources and particle size addition to the laying hens diet had no significantly effect on body weight gain, egg production, egg mass, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg specific gravity, egg shell weight, egg shell thickness and egg shell breaking strength but egg weight had significantly affected by the treatments. The significantly highest egg weight was found in laying hens fed with 50 % fine limestone and 50 % large lime...