The Use of High Magnesium Limestone in the Diet of the Laying Hen

The Use of High Magnesium Limestone in the Diet of the Laying Hen

“…If this were true, the results previously reported by Stillmak and Sunde (1971) would permit normal egg production and shell quality when dolomite is fed in a finely ground form incorporated into the ration. First of all, the level of dolomite necessary to supply the levels of calcium needed by the laying hen would result in large amounts of magnesium being introduced into the diet.…”

“…Deobald et al (1936) using dolomite added to the chicks diet at rates equivalent to 2% calcium carbonate obtained results similar to those of Bethke et al (1929). General management and procedure followed in experiments 1 through 4 were those discussed by Stillmak and Sunde (1971). This paper will report further results obtained from the first four experiments dealing with dolomitic limestone (Stillmak and Sunde, 1971) plus additional data concerning the availability of calcium from dolomite.…”

“…Bethke et al (1929) investigating the availability of calcium from different calcium salts compared a level of 3.4% dolomite (.86% calcium) with 2.00% (.86% calcium) calcium carbonate added to a basal ration, with no difference in final body weight of the chick or tibia ash resulting. This paper will report further results obtained from the first four experiments dealing with dolomitic limestone (Stillmak and Sunde, 1971) plus additional data concerning the availability of calcium from dolomite. In general the correlation between most of the published reports is excellent, they all agree that dolomitic limestone shows no harmful effects in chicks.…”

“…In general the correlation between most of the published reports is excellent, they all agree that dolomitic limestone shows no harmful effects in chicks. Experiment 5 of the previous manuscript (Stillmak and Sunde, 1971) did not involve data on grit or oyster shell consumption. Experiments 1 through 4.…”

Relationship of Calcium to Wet Droppings in Laying Hens

“…This may have contributed to the watery excreta. Magnesium has also been reported to cause a watery appearance of the feces with no increase in fecal moisture (Stillmak and Sunde, 1971).…”