Studies on the Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements of Caged Turkey Breeder Hens

Studies were conducted to determine the calcium and phosphorus needs of caged turkey breeder hens. Simplified all-vegetable diets were supplemented with ground limestone and a commercial dicalcium phosphate supplement to provide a factorial arrangement of two calcium levels (2.25 and 3.50 percent) and four levels of inorganic phosphorus (0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40 percent). Results of this trial would indicate that 2.25 percent calcium and 0.30 percent inorganic phosphorus are sufficient to maintain egg production, fertility, hatchability, and egg shell thickness of caged turkey breeder hens.