Effects of calcium levels and limestone particle size on the egg quality of semi-heavy layers in their second production cycle

Abstract

A 112-day trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary calcium level and limestone particle size on the egg quality of 288 Hy-Line Brown semi-heavy layers, with 83 weeks of age at the beginning of the experiment. A completely randomized experimental design was applied in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with two dietary calcium levels (3.5 and 4.0%) e three limestone particle size compositions (100% fine limestone (FL), with 0.185mm; 30% coarse limestone (CL), with 2.83mm, + 70% FL, with 0.185mm; and 50% CL, with 2.83mm, + 50% FL, with 0.185mm), with six replicates of eight birds each. Mean geometric diameter and in-vitro solubility of the limestone sources were, respectively, 0.185mm and 18.7% for the fine limestone, and 2.83mm and 10.5% for the coarse limestone. At the end of each 28-day period, 72 eggs per treatment were used to determine egg specific gravity, yolk percentage, albumen percentage, eggshell percentage, yolk index, Haugh units, eggshell thickness, and eggshell breaking strength. There was no influence of the treatments on the evaluated parameters. It was concluded that feeding the level of 3.5% calcium usually recommended for layers in their first laying cycle, and the substitution of up to 50% fine limestone by coarse limestone in the feed of semi-heavy commercial Hy-Line Brown layers in their second laying cycle can be applied with no impairment of egg quality

Free-choice Feeding of Three Different Dietary Calcium Sources and their Influence on Egg Quality Parameters of Commercial Layers

“…According to Pizzolante et al, (2009), coarse limestone produced less cracked eggs. In contrast, a study conducted by de Araujo et al, (2011), revealed that no effect due to limestone particle sizes on egg weight, egg dozen conversions, shell thickness, egg shell ratio and Haugh Unit.…”

“…A linear improvement in eggshell quality has been observed with increasing dietary levels of Ca . Source, as well as the particle size, solubility and dietary inclusion level of Ca are known to influence the egg shell quality (Scheideler, 1998;Pizzolante et al, 2009). Calcium is also found to responsible for maintaining the internal egg quality (Ahmed et al, 2013).…”

Limestone particle sizes and lighting regimens on egg and bone quality of laying hens

“…Performance of commercial laying hens subjected to different limestone particle sizes and two lighting regimes. its utilization (Pizzolante et al, 2009). Other studies showed that large particle sizes have no effect on shell quality, even when calcium levels in the diet are adequate (Pelicia et al, 2009;Pizzolante et al, 2009;Saunders-Blade et al, 2009).…”

“…its utilization (Pizzolante et al, 2009). Other studies showed that large particle sizes have no effect on shell quality, even when calcium levels in the diet are adequate (Pelicia et al, 2009;Pizzolante et al, 2009;Saunders-Blade et al, 2009). Frequently, the results of research show that artificial lighting programs influence egg production, but not egg quality parameters (Jácome et al, 2014).…”

Analysis of Water in the Chicken Eggshell Using the 1H Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

“…The structure and composition of the CE change during the incubation process (Pizzolante et al, 2009). Recently, we have proven that, during the embryonic development of the chicken inside the egg, elution and subsequent absorption of some elements from the shell occur (Szeleszczuk et al, 2015).…”