Effects of Calcium Carbonate Particle Size, Phytase and Midnight Feeding on Performance, Egg and Bone Quality and Blood Parameters in Laying Hens

ABSTRACT Background To achieve maximum production in laying hens, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are two important minerals in the diet. Nutritional solutions such as adding coarser Ca particles in the afternoon or considering the light hours during the night to feed the birds might improve the egg...

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Main Authors: Vahid Salehi, Reza Vakili, Mahdi Elahi Torshizi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine and Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70248
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author Vahid Salehi
Reza Vakili
Mahdi Elahi Torshizi
author_facet Vahid Salehi
Reza Vakili
Mahdi Elahi Torshizi
author_sort Vahid Salehi
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background To achieve maximum production in laying hens, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are two important minerals in the diet. Nutritional solutions such as adding coarser Ca particles in the afternoon or considering the light hours during the night to feed the birds might improve the eggshell quality and reduce Ca mobilization from the bone. Objectives This experiment aimed to study the effect of calcium carbonate particle size (CCps), phytase (Pht) and midnight feeding (MF) on the performance, egg and bone quality and blood parameters in laying hens from 60 to 70 weeks of age. Methods A total of 720 Hy‐line (W‐36) laying hens were arranged in a factorial arrangement of 2 × 2 × 2 based on a completely randomized design with two types of CCps (100% fine and 75% coarse + 25% fine), two levels of Pht (0 and 300 FTU/kg) and two states of feeding (MF and without MF). The experimental period lasted 12 weeks from 60 to 70 weeks of age. Results During the trial, the significant impact of CCps on the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and breaking strength (BS) of the tibia was obtained (p < 0.05). FCR, eggshell percentage and the percentage of tibia ash, Ca and P were affected by Pht supplementation (p < 0.05). MF affected egg weight (EW), eggshell percentage and serum concentration of Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05). The interaction effects of CCps and Pht were significant for Ca level in serum (p < 0.05). Conclusions In general, the use of Pht in the diets improved the FCR and quality of eggshell and tibia, and diets containing Pht and coarser CCps increased blood Ca levels. Despite the improvement of egg quality by MF, serum parameters showed a significant decrease.
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spelling doaj-art-506fb73265ae45309e56d23d641e4b832025-08-20T03:40:35ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952025-03-01112n/an/a10.1002/vms3.70248Effects of Calcium Carbonate Particle Size, Phytase and Midnight Feeding on Performance, Egg and Bone Quality and Blood Parameters in Laying HensVahid Salehi0Reza Vakili1Mahdi Elahi Torshizi2Department of Animal Science Kashmar Branch Islamic Azad University Kashmar IranDepartment of Animal Science Kashmar Branch Islamic Azad University Kashmar IranDepartment of Animal Science Mashhad Branch Islamic Azad University Mashhad IranABSTRACT Background To achieve maximum production in laying hens, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are two important minerals in the diet. Nutritional solutions such as adding coarser Ca particles in the afternoon or considering the light hours during the night to feed the birds might improve the eggshell quality and reduce Ca mobilization from the bone. Objectives This experiment aimed to study the effect of calcium carbonate particle size (CCps), phytase (Pht) and midnight feeding (MF) on the performance, egg and bone quality and blood parameters in laying hens from 60 to 70 weeks of age. Methods A total of 720 Hy‐line (W‐36) laying hens were arranged in a factorial arrangement of 2 × 2 × 2 based on a completely randomized design with two types of CCps (100% fine and 75% coarse + 25% fine), two levels of Pht (0 and 300 FTU/kg) and two states of feeding (MF and without MF). The experimental period lasted 12 weeks from 60 to 70 weeks of age. Results During the trial, the significant impact of CCps on the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and breaking strength (BS) of the tibia was obtained (p < 0.05). FCR, eggshell percentage and the percentage of tibia ash, Ca and P were affected by Pht supplementation (p < 0.05). MF affected egg weight (EW), eggshell percentage and serum concentration of Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.05). The interaction effects of CCps and Pht were significant for Ca level in serum (p < 0.05). Conclusions In general, the use of Pht in the diets improved the FCR and quality of eggshell and tibia, and diets containing Pht and coarser CCps increased blood Ca levels. Despite the improvement of egg quality by MF, serum parameters showed a significant decrease.https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70248bonecalcium carbonatemidnight feedinglaying hensphytase
spellingShingle Vahid Salehi
Reza Vakili
Mahdi Elahi Torshizi
Effects of Calcium Carbonate Particle Size, Phytase and Midnight Feeding on Performance, Egg and Bone Quality and Blood Parameters in Laying Hens
Veterinary Medicine and Science
bone
calcium carbonate
midnight feeding
laying hens
phytase
title Effects of Calcium Carbonate Particle Size, Phytase and Midnight Feeding on Performance, Egg and Bone Quality and Blood Parameters in Laying Hens
title_full Effects of Calcium Carbonate Particle Size, Phytase and Midnight Feeding on Performance, Egg and Bone Quality and Blood Parameters in Laying Hens
title_fullStr Effects of Calcium Carbonate Particle Size, Phytase and Midnight Feeding on Performance, Egg and Bone Quality and Blood Parameters in Laying Hens
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Calcium Carbonate Particle Size, Phytase and Midnight Feeding on Performance, Egg and Bone Quality and Blood Parameters in Laying Hens
title_short Effects of Calcium Carbonate Particle Size, Phytase and Midnight Feeding on Performance, Egg and Bone Quality and Blood Parameters in Laying Hens
title_sort effects of calcium carbonate particle size phytase and midnight feeding on performance egg and bone quality and blood parameters in laying hens
topic bone
calcium carbonate
midnight feeding
laying hens
phytase
url https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70248
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