Effect of calcium sources with and without phytase and organic acids on productive traits and eggshell quality of laying hens

A total of 224 Leghorn laying hens at 60 weeks of age were randomly assigned into seven dietary treatments and four replicates each one with eight birds in each replicate. The hens were fed with diets including: Negative Control (without Ca sources, phytase and organic acids supplementation); Negative Control with Ca-carbonate; Negative Control with limestone; Negative Control with Ca-carbonate and phytase; Negative Control with limestone and phytase; Negative Control with Ca-carbonate, phytase and organic acids and Negative Control with limestone, phytase and organic acids. Feed intake significantly was lower in experimental diets than the negative control. Mean egg weight in all experimental diets was higher than the negative control (P<0.001). The hen-day egg production was higher in all dietary treatments than the negative control (P<0.01). Also, negative control with phytase or organic acid supplementation diet was better than the treatment without phytase and organic acid. Feed conversion ratio was better in all dietary treatments than the negative control (P<0.001). Eggshell quality parameters were better in all dietary treatments as compared to negative control (P<0.05). The results showed that inclusion of either Ca sources or feed additives could improve layer performance and eggshell quality in commercial laying feeds.