Calcium and phosphorus requirements of the laying hen

Three experiments were conducted; the first studied the influence of pre-laying dietary calcium levels on subsequent hen performance, while in the second and third the influence of various levels of dietary calcium and phosphorus on performance, egg shell quality and calcium and phosphorus retention were investigated. Pre-dietary calcium levels (0.5 and 1.5%) resulted in a significant strain X diet interaction for weight gain up to commencement of lay but did not influence production, feed intake, egg size or sheel quality. Dietary calcium levels varying from 2.5 to 4.0% did not significantly alter the avove parameters during a 140 day laying test. Compared to a non-pelleted control diet, steam pelleting resulted in a significant enhancement in phosphorus availability is judged by higher levels of performance. Percent calcium retention varied with the level of dietary calcium and there was an indication that level of dietary phosphorus influenced calcium retention. Lower levels of dietary phosphorus resulted in egg shells with slightly lower deformation values. Regardless of dietary phosphorus, retention values were quite low. Changing the level of dietary calcium and phosphorus had little or no effect on the retention of phosphorus thus suggesting a relatively constant and low requirement for this nutrient.