Effect of feeding different calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3 levels on the production performance and egg quality traits in CARI Sonali layers

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of feeding different levels of dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio and vitamin D3 on production performance, egg quality traits and blood biochemical parameters in laying hens. A nine weeks (30-38wks) feeding trial was conducted involving four levels of calcium (Ca) to available phosphorus (AP) ratio 8.12 (3.25 % Ca & 0.40 % AP), 10.0 (3.50 % Ca & 0.35 % AP), 12.5 (3.75 % Ca & 0.30 % AP) and 16.0 (4.00 % Ca& 0.25 % AP) each with two levels of vitamin D3 (1600 and 2000 IU/kg) in a 4x2 factorial experiment. Significantly (p d” 0.01) higher egg production, feed intake and net feed efficiency index were observed at 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3. Significantly (pd”0.01) higher egg production and net feed efficiency were recorded at 10.0 Ca to AP ratio than other Ca to P ratio. Significantly (pd”0.01) higher eggshell thickness, shell weight, eggs shell ratio and yolk index were observed at 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3 than 1600 IU/kg vitamin D3. However, albumin index was significantly (pd”0.01) higher at1600 IU/kg vitamin D3 than 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3. Significantly (pd”0.01) higher serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase were observed at 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3 than 1600 IU/kg vitamin D3. Based on the results it was concluded that a dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio 10.0 (3.50% Ca and 0.35%AP) with 2000 IU/kg vitamin D3 was found adequate for optimum production performance, egg quality traits and blood biochemical parameters in laying hens.