Dietary supplementation with protected calcium effects production and egg quality of Hy-line brown laying hens

Abstract

Context Currently, the commonly used dietary calcium sources are not sufficiently bioavailable to be used for eggshell formation or bone health in laying hens. Protected calcium, a blend of calcium and medium-chain fatty acids with matrix coating, may exert an effective absorption and metabolism ability for calcium consumption in the laying hen. Aims The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of protected-calcium supplementation on egg production, egg quality, and serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations in laying hens. Methods In total, 144 Hy-line brown laying hens (25 weeks old) were randomly allotted to three treatments (8 replicates with 6 hens, 1 hen per cage) in a 10-week trial. Treatments consisted of corn–wheat–soybean meal-based basal diet with limestone (coarse limestone:fine limestone = 50:50) as a calcium source (CON) or basal diet supplemented with 0.5% (P1) or 1% (P2) protected calcium in substitution for an equal quantity of coarse limestone. Data were statistically analysed using linear and quadratic contrast with the GLM procedure of SAS. Probability values of <0.05 indicate significance. Key results At Weeks 31–33 and 35, the cracked-egg rates were lower in the P1 and P2 groups than in the CON group (P < 0.05; linear, P < 0.05) and, at Weeks 29 and 34, the cracked-egg rates in the P2 group were also significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. At Weeks 26, 30 and 32, the Haugh units in the P2 group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in the CON group. In addition, eggshell strength was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the P2 group at Weeks 26, 27 and 31–35. The serum calcium concentration of the P2 group was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of the CON group in the morning. Conclusions In conclusion, a replacement of limestone with 1% protected calcium can increase eggshell quality. Implications Protected-calcium supplementation can be used in practice for decreasing the breakage of eggs.

Effect of coated calcium feeding on growth performance, carcass traits, immunity, blood biochemicals and tibial bone morphometry in commercial broiler chicken

“…In their study, it was observed that birds fed calcium citrate malate (CC-M) had higher levels of plasma calcium compared to those fed limestone. A similar nding was reported by Shi et al (2020), where birds fed a 1% protected Ca diet had higher serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations compared to those fed limestone. Furthermore, Gultepe et al (2021) conducted a similar study and found that replacing limestone in the layer diet with micro calcium carbonate particles signi cantly improved serum calcium levels.…”

Effects of Bacillus subtilis on Production Performance, Bone Physiological Property, and Hematology Indexes in Laying Hens

“…Thus, in order to prepare pullets to start and continue laying eggs smoothly, the composition of the feed is changed, including increasing the Ca amount from 2.2% to approximately 3.5-3.8% [7]. In addition, producers also use large particles of bone meal, limestone, or oyster shells as Ca sources [8] with phytase [9] for improvement of Ca bioavailability in laying hens by prolonging retention time in small intestines and effective quantity of Ca [10]. However, when hens become aged (40-week-old and beyond), reaching peak egg production, along with the need for a great amount of Ca for eggshell formation, which causes more Ca to be mobilized from the skeleton to the eggshell gland to remedy limited and inadequate Ca absorbed in the gut [7].…”