THE BLOOD CALCIUM OF LAYING HENS VARIED BY THE CALCIUM INTAKE

Abstract

A CaCO3 supplement to the grain-skim milk ration was administered to 9 laying hens, 9 others of the same breed, age and laying conditions receiving no such supplement. In the lot receiving CaCO3 the average egg production, average weight of dry shell and average weight of egg contents increased, the average Ca content of the blood serum was not diminished and the physical condition of the hens remained good. In the hens receiving no supplementary CaCO8 the Ca of the serum diminished; so did egg production and weight of egg and shell, while physical condition deteriorated. In previous experiments no such decrease in Ca of blood serum occurred in cocks or non-laying hens deprived of a CaCO3 supplement.