Calcium Requirements of the Turkey Breeder Hen

LOW EGG production, fertility and hatchability in turkey breeder hens has stimulated researchers in recent years to attempt to find ways of increasing the reproductive potential of the turkey hen. The effects that dietary calcium has on chicken egg production and hatchability have been well established, but little research has been conducted with mineral requirements for turkey breeders. Published calcium requirements for the turkey breeder hen have been based mostly on research with chickens. Jensen et al. (1963) reported that egg production of turkey breeders was depressed when a diet containing less than 1% calcium was fed. Increasing the calcium levels beyond 1.75% did not increase production, and levels of 2.5 or 3.25% calcium caused a significant reduction in hatchability. In a later experiment Jensen et al. (1964) observed no detrimental effects in either egg production or hatchability when levels of calcium up to 6.25% were fed. Balloun and Miller …