Calcium Metabolism in the Laying Hen

Abstract

Seventy-five Kimber K-137 hens (65 weeks of age) with an average egg production of 50 percent were kept in individual cages and fed a 3.0 percent calcium diet. Individual feed consumption and egg production values were determined at two hour intervals from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Natural daylight was approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes. The birds were on a 15 hour day with lights supplied only during the morning hours. The experiment was repeated for five days giving a total of 2,250 individual feed intake determinations. Definite daily feed intake patterns were established in relation to time of day. The same general feed intake pattern was observed regardless of whether the hen did or did not lay that day or was out of production. Two percent more feed was consumed by layers on non-oviposition days than on oviposition days. The results also suggest that oviposition has an influence on the pattern of feed intake. However, this effect could be almost completely masked depending upon time of oviposition. Because of this making effect a true 24 hour pattern of feed intake in relation to oviposition could not be established.