Calcium Utilization for Egg Shell Formation in Laying Hens Due to the Different Feeding Regimes of Morning and Afternoon Portion

Abstract

Evaluation of the effect of different feeding regimes of the morning and afternoon portion on feed consumption, calcium utilization, egg-shell weight, calcium mass of egg shell and hen day production (HDP) in laying hens was the aim of the present research. Two hundred fifty two birds of laying hens of Lohmann Brown strain of twelve weeks old with initial body weight of 987.5 ± 178.5 g were used as the experimental animals. The present research was assigned in a completely randomized design with seven groups of treatments, namely T1 (100S) = 100% (feeding once in the afternoon), T2 (30P:70S) = 30% morning and 70% afternoon diets, T3 (40P:60P) = 40% morning and 60% afternoon diets, T4 (50P:50S) = 50% morning and 50% afternoon diets, T5 (60P:40S) = 60% morning and 40% afternoon diets, T6 (70P:30S) = 70% morning and 30% afternoon diets, and T7 (100P) = 100% (feeding once in the morning). Each treatment was replicated four times with nine birds each. Parameters observed were feed consumption, calcium utilization, calcium mass and weight of egg shell and HDP. Results showed that feeding different portion of morning and afternoon ration did not affect feed consumption, calcium utilization, egg-shell weight, calcium mass of egg-shell and HDP. In conclusion, all hens have physiological ability to utilize dietary calcium in equal amount, and thus producing both similar egg shell quality as well as egg production, although morning and afternoon ration were given at different portion. Keywords: laying hens, feeding portion, calcium utilization, egg-shells calcium and weight