Influence of calcium and environmental temperature on performance of first-cycle (phase 1) commercial leghorns.

An experiment was conducted to determine whether optimizing profits, as well as eggshell and skeletal strength, by manipulation of dietary Ca level has any influence on either egg weight, egg production or feed consumption during the first 12 wk of production (Weeks 20 to 32, Phase 1). Hens were housed at two environmental temperatures (15.6 to 23.3 and 21.1 to 28.9 C) and fed six diets from 20 to 32 wk of age containing 2.5 to 5.0% Ca with increments of 0.5% and with ME levels ranging from 2,719 to 2,950 kcal/kg, respectively. Egg specific gravity, egg production, egg weight, and feed consumption were determined at weekly or biweekly intervals. At 32 wk of age, plasma Ca, bone density, and bone breaking strength were determined. Results indicated that environmental temperature had no influence on egg production but hens housed at the lower environmental temperature had an increase in egg weight, egg specific gravity, and feed consumption. Increasing dietary Ca level increased egg production, egg specific gravity, feed consumption, ionic plasma Ca, bone density, and bone breaking strength and had no adverse effect on egg weight. It was concluded that Hy-Line W-36 hens could be fed diets containing as much as 5% Ca with no adverse effect on egg production, egg weight, or feed consumption and that Hy-Line W-36 hens (Phase 1) under conditions described should be fed diets containing a minimum of 4.25% Ca (3.4 to 3.6 g per hen per d) to 4.5% Ca (3.6 to 3.8 g per hen per d). Calcium intake should range from 3.0 g per hen per d at 21 wk of age to 4.2 g per hen per d at 32 wk of age.

Age at sexual maturity influences the response of single comb White Leghorn pullets to marginal and low levels of dietary phosphorus.

This study was designed to determine the differences in response of early-maturing (EM) and late-maturing (LM) Single Comb White Leghorn pullets within a flock to marginal or low dietary phosphorus. Various levels of dietary phosphorus were fed to EM and LM Leghorn pullets from 18 wk of age until the age of peak egg production (24 wk). The dietary phosphorus levels were 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55 and 0.70 g total phosphorus (tP)/100 g diet, corresponding to calculated available phosphorus values of 0.18, 0.23, 0.28, 0.33 and 0.48 g/100 g, respectively. At 0.70 and 0.55 g tP/100 g, the plasma inorganic phosphorus, Ca++ and urine calcium concentrations did not differ between EM and LM pullets, whereas LM pullets had a better bone status than EM pullets as reflected by bone mineral content, bone density and bone breaking strength. As dietary phosphorus was lowered from 0.55 to 0.4 g tP/100 g, the plasma concentration of inorganic phosphorus dropped and that of Ca++ increased at greater rates in LM pullets than in EM pullets. The magnitude of decline in bone status was also greater in LM than in EM pullets when dietary phosphorus was lowered from 0.55 to 0.40 g tP/100 g. The maximum incidences of osteoporosis and mortality were observed in LM pullets fed 0.40 g tP/100 g followed by LM pullets fed 0.45 g tP/100 g diet. We conclude that when early layer diets contain marginal or low levels of phosphorus, the severity of adverse effects are greater in LM pullets than in EM pullets.

Absorption of silicon and aluminum by hens fed sodium zeolite A with various levels of dietary cholecalciferol.

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether 1) serum Si and Al is increased in hens intubated with sodium zeolite A (SZA); and 2) dietary cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) influences the absorption of Si or Al by hens fed SZA. In Experiment 1, hens were intubated at oviposition with 0, 1, or 2 g of SZA. Blood samples were collected from the brachial vein at oviposition, and 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 h postoviposition. Serum samples were analyzed for Si and Al. Peak serum Si and Al were observed at 4 and 8 h postoviposition, respectively. In Experiment 2, hens consumed commercial layer diets ad libitum containing five levels of dietary cholecalciferol (100 to 500 IU/kg) with or without .75% SZA for 6 wk. Blood samples were collected at the end of the 6-wk period by cardiac puncture at oviposition. When dietary cholecalciferol was increased from 100 to 200 IU/kg of diet there was an increase (P < .05) in serum Si but not Al. Levels of cholecalciferol above 200 IU/kg did not produce an additional increase in serum Si. The results showed increased (P < .01) serum concentrations of Si and Al for hens intubated with or fed SZA. It was concluded that Si and Al from SZA are absorbed by commercial Leghorn hens, and a possible involvement of Si or Al should be considered in the mechanism of action of SZA associated with improved eggshell quality and bone development.

Evidence for absorption of silicon and aluminum by hens fed sodium zeolite A.

The mechanism of action of zeolite A (ZA) on eggshell quality could be related either to its ion-exchange properties or to individual ZA elements (Al or Si). Two experiments were conducted to determine 1) whether any ZA passes through the digestive system in its original form; and 2) whether any Al and Si absorption occurs. In Experiment 1, unfed hens were intubated with either 0 or 5 g ZA at oviposition. In Experiment 2, fed and unfed hens were intubated at oviposition with 0, 1, or 2 g ZA. At the subsequent oviposition, liver and kidney tissues, excreta, urine, bile, and plasma were collected and analyzed for Al, Si, Na, K, and P. The results indicated that approximately 7% of the intubated ZA passed through the digestive system in its original form (Experiment 1). As the intubated level of ZA increased, excreta Al and Si (P < .0001), urine Si (P < .005), and urine Al (P < .07) also increased (Experiment 2). Aluminum recovery from excreta ranged from 75 to 93% of the quantity intubated in all treatments. Corresponding values of Si from excreta of unfed and fed hens ranged from 76 to 81% and 58 to 60%, respectively. The P content of excreta was not influenced by ZA. However, excreta P was greater (P < .0001) in unfed than in fed hens. Neither plasma electrolytes (Na, K, and P) nor Al or Si levels in either liver or kidney were influenced by ZA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Uterine calcium-binding protein activity of nonlaying hens and hens laying hard-shelled or shell-less eggs.

Uterine calcium-binding protein (CaBP) activity was compared at oviposition and 14 h postoviposition in nonlaying (NL) hens and hens laying a high incidence of shell-less (SL) or hard-shelled (HS) eggs fed a commercial laying diet. Epithelial cells were removed from uteri of NL, SL, and HS hens and homogenized in Tris buffer, pH 7.4. Proteins in homogenate were fractionated by the addition of ammonium sulfate and centrifugation, separated by Sephadex chromatography, and measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry at A280. Calcium-binding protein activity was determined using a 45Ca-chelex binding assay. Two peaks of CaBP activity were detected and designated CaBP-a (28,000 Da) and CaBP-b (16,000 Da). Uterine CaBP-b may differ from CaBP-a only in Ca content. The activities of CaBP (a and b) were higher (P less than or equal to .05) in HS and SL hens than in NL hens at 0 h. There was no significant difference (0 h) between CaBP activity (a versus b) of either HS or SL hens. There was also no difference (0 h) of CaBP-a or CaBP-b activity when SL and HS hens were compared. Uterine CaBP-a activity was lower (P less than or equal to .05) in SL hens than HS hens at 14 h. Under normal dietary conditions, the level of CaBP activity at 14 h may be associated with SL egg production.

Influence of sodium zeolite A with and without pullet-sized limestone or oyster shell on eggshell quality.

To determine whether particle size of CaCO3 influences the hen's response to sodium zeolite A (ZA), two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, hens were fed 0, .75, and 1.50% ZA for 6 wk with and without a Na correction. At the end of the 4th wk, pullet-sized limestone was substituted for 50% of the added fine granular limestone in the diet containing no ZA. In Experiment 2, hens were fed diets containing 0, .68, and 1.36 ZA for 8 wk with and without one-half of the added fine granular limestone substituted for oyster shell. No correction for Na was made. A dietary calcium concentration of 2.75% was used in Experiment 1 and 3.5% in Experiment 2. Egg specific gravity, egg production, feed consumption, and egg weight were measured. Sodium zeolite A increased egg specific gravity, and the beneficial effects of ZA were maintained during Weeks 5 and 6 when pullet-sized limestone was added to the control diet containing no ZA (Experiment 1). Oyster shell and ZA improved egg specific gravity in Experiment 2 and the effect was additive. Dietary treatments had no effect on egg production or egg weight in Experiments 1 or 2 and there was no effect on feed consumption (Experiment 1). Feed consumption was reduced by ZA, when hens were fed oyster shell, but not when they were fed ZA with fine granular limestone (Experiment 2). It was concluded that the beneficial effect of ZA on egg specific gravity was independent of particle size of CaCO3 in the diet.

Response of commercial Leghorns to sodium aluminosilicate when fed different levels and sources of available phosphorus.

Two experiments were conducted to elucidate possible explanations for the adverse interaction of sodium aluminosilicate (ZA) and low phosphorus on egg production. In Experiment 1, hens were fed available phosphorus at two levels (.40 and .31%) and from three sources (dicalcium phosphate, defluorinated phosphate, and meat and bone meal). Two levels (0 and .75%) of ZA were concomitantly fed with these treatments. In Experiment 2, hens were fed two levels (.30 and .20%) and two sources (dicalcium phosphate and defluorinated phosphate) of phosphorus with and without ZA (0 and .75%). In both experiments, egg production, egg specific gravity, feed consumption, and egg weight were measured. In Experiment 2, plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, total and free calcium, and phosphorus were also monitored. Results of both Experiments indicated that ZA significantly increased egg specific gravity; whereas, phosphorus level and source had no effect on egg specific gravity. Egg production was influenced by ZA level, phosphorus source, and phosphorus level with significant phosphorus source by phosphorus level interactions. In Experiment 1, ZA reduced egg production at the higher phosphorus level when dicalcium phosphate or defluorinated phosphate was used but not at the lower phosphorus level. Egg production was not influenced by ZA when meat and bone meal was the source of phosphorus. In Experiment 2, ZA reduced egg production more at the lowest level of phosphorus and more when the phosphorus source was defluorinated phosphate than when it was dicalcium phosphate but the interaction was not significant. Sodium aluminosilicate had no influence on egg weight, but it did reduce feed consumption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of electrolytes and protein content in isthmic and uterine flushings from hens laying shell-less versus hard-shell eggs.

In Experiment 1, hens laying hard-shell (HS) eggs were sacrificed at each of eight stages of egg formation including oviposition (0 h) and 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h after oviposition. In Experiment 2, hens laying either shell-less (SL) or HS eggs were sacrificed at four stages of egg formation (oviposition, 4, 8, and 20 h after oviposition). The isthmus and uterus were flushed with 6 and 10 mL of cold .85% NaCl, respectively, and electrolyte contents were determined. Total flushing contents of calcium, potassium, and magnesium were higher (P less than or equal to .01) in uterine than in isthmic flushings (Experiment 1). In every case, an interaction (P less than or equal to .01) between time of collection and organ (isthmus and uterus) was found, indicating that patterns of change in flushing content of each electrolyte differed in the two organs over time in birds laying HS eggs. In Experiment 2, total recoverable calcium, magnesium, potassium, and total protein were higher in uterine than isthmic flushings (P less than .01). Interactions between time of collection (0, 4, 8, and 20 h) and treatment group (SL or HS) were observed for all electrolytes measured in uterine flushings. Results suggest that calcium, required for shell calcification, does not appear in the isthmic or uterine lumen or both at an appropriate time in SL hens. Thus, production of SL eggs may be related to mechanisms regulating patterns of change or ratios of electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium) or both in the isthmus or uterus of the laying hen.