Effect of Dietary Calcium Levels near the Time of Sexual Maturity on Water Intake and Excreta Moisture Content

Abstract

Three trials were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary calcium on water balance of leghorn pullets. Trial 1 involved introduction of a 4% calcium layer diet at 112, 123, 134, or 144 days of age. Introducing the layer diet early had an early but transitory effect on water intake (P<.05) and absolute quantity of excreta moisture, although the pattern of percentage excreta moisture was not clearly defined. In a second trial, birds were moved to laying cages at 105 days, with diet change from 1 to 4% calcium occurring at 112 or 142 days. When the layer diet was offered at 112 days, percentage excreta moisture was higher from 113 to 142 days, although no difference was seen after this time. In a final experiment, introduction of a 4% calcium layer diet at either 112 or 133 days of age resulted in higher percentage excreta moisture at four measurement periods to 245 days of age, although this effect was significant only at 147 days (P<.05).These results suggest there is a transitory effect of dietary calcium on water intake and excreta moisture content. This affect may be of concern within controlled environment buildings and with certain manure-handling systems. In commercial situations, such dietary changes are often confounded with increased dietary protein concentration, another factor known to influence water balance in pullets.