Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional requirement for calcium and the best calcium:phosphorus ratio in the diet for laying hens from 24 to 40 weeks of age. 324 Hy-Line W-36 birds were distributed in a completely randomized design in 3x3 factorial scheme, consisting of three levels of calcium (3.9, 4.2, and 4.5%) and three calcium:phosphorus ratios (9.3, 10.53, and 12.12:1) totaling nine treatments, six replicates and six birds each. We evaluated performance, egg quality, bone characteristics, balance of calcium and phosphorus, and mortality. There was no interaction (P> 0.05) between calcium levels and calcium:phosphorus ratio for the variables, but levels of calcium affected (P <0.05) weight and shell percentage, calcium in the shell, lost eggs, consumption of calcium and phosphorus, calcium and phosphorus excretion, and retained calcium and phosphorus. The calcium:phosphorus ratio affected significantly (P <0.05) feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion per dozen eggs, egg mass, calcium and phosphorus intake, phosphorus excretion, and retained phosphorus. Diets containing 4.5% calcium and the calcium:phosphorus ratio of 12,12:1, corresponding to a calcium intake of 3.71 g/hen/day and phosphorus of 306 mg/bird /day, guarantee satisfactory performance in diets for laying hens from 24 to 40 weeks.
Keywords:
egg; minerals; poultry; production