Effect of housing system on the calcium requirement of laying hens and on eggshell quality
2008
Lichovnikova, M.,Mendelova Zemedelska a Lesnicka Univ., Brno (Czech Republic). Agronomicka Fakulta | Zeman, L.,Mendelova Zemedelska a Lesnicka Univ., Brno (Czech Republic). Agronomicka Fakulta
The effects of housing systems on the calcium requirement for eggshell production, eggshell quality and on the breaking strength of the hen's tibia were evaluated in laying hens aged from 19 to 66 weeks. Unenriched cages (UN, 24 hens), enriched cages (EN, 16 hens) and floor system (FS, 24 laying hens) were used in this experiment. The eggshell production was higher (P less than 0.01) in the cage systems (UN 39.6 g/hen/week and EN 39.2 g/hen/week) than it was in FS (35.0 g/hen/week). Consequently, the amount of Ca deposited in the eggshells (g/hen/week) was higher (P less than 0.01) in the cage systems (14.2 and 14.0 g/hen/week) than in FS (12.6 g/hen/week). Despite of the same Ca intake in EN and FS hens, the eggshell thickness (0.39 and 0.38 mm, respectively) and eggshell strength (38.04 and 36.43 N respect.) were significantly higher in EN. The tibia breaking strength was higher (P less than 0.05) in FS (156.6 N) in comparison with UN (92.7 N). The rate of Ca intake deposited in the eggshells was higher in the cage systems than in FS, namely by 1.7 to 8.9% depending on the age of laying hens. When determining the correct Ca requirements in the diets of laying hens, the housing system should be taken into account.
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