Two studies were conducted to determine the phosphorus requirements of force-molted Leghorn hens. In the first study, diets containing .8, .6, or .4% total phosphorus and 4% calcium were fed. In the second study diets with levels of .7, .6, .5, or .4% total phosphorus and 3.8% calcium were fed. Decreasing the phosphorus level improved shell quality as measured by specific gravity and shell thickness. However, egg production and egg weight decreased as phosphorus level decreased. Thus, in these studies a total phosphorus level of >.5% and <.7% was required for egg production and egg shell quality in force-molted Leghorn hens.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
D.P. HOLDER (1981) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: