The effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 added to a layer diet containing adequate amounts of vitamin D3 on the performance of layers.
The effect of adding 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) to a well-balanced, commercial layer diet containing 1,900 IU vitamin D3/kg on eggshell quality and laying performance of 56-wk-old White Leghorn hens was investigated. After 8 wk of treatment, calcitriol at 1.5 micrograms/kg diet had no discernible effect on egg weight, egg deformation, percentage shell, shell thickness, feed consumption, and egg production. At 3.0 and 4.5 micrograms/kg, feed consumption, feed production, and egg weight were significantly reduced, whereas egg deformation, percentage shell, and shell thickness were not affected. The results show that calcitriol added to a diet already adequately supplemented with vitamin D3 does not improve eggshell quality and may impair laying performance.
Tsang
C P
CP
Animal Research Centre, Agriculture Canada, Ontario, Canada.
Daghir
N J
NJ
D000818:Animals; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D005503:Food Additives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects*; D011897:Random Allocation
D005503:Food Additives; D002117:Calcitriol