POULTRY S C I E N C E
March, 1938, Vol. X V I I , N o . 2
T h e Calcium and Phosphorus Balance
of Laying Hens*
C. L.
J. H. MlTCHELLf
Department of Poultry Husbandry
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, South Carolina
(Presented at Annual Meeting, August 1937; received for publication August 13, 1937)
T HE importance of an adequate supply
of calcium for the laying hen in a
form that can be utilized, particularly
in egg shell formation, is appreciated when
it is realized that a three hundred egg hen
may secrete more than 1,500 grams of cal-
cium carbonate in their formation during
a laying year. One of the questions which
naturally arises on account of the large re-
quirement of the hen for this element is
her ability to consume and transform a
sufficient amount for sustained high egg
production. The close relationship between
calcium and phosphorus in metabolic proc-
esses makes a consideration of the latter
element in this connection also important.
It has been shown by Buckner, Martin
and Peter (1923) (1928) and Massengale
and Piatt (1930) that egg production of
•Technical Contribution No. SI. South Caro-
lina Agricultural Experiment Station. Published by
permission of the Director of the South Carolina
Agricultural Experiment Station.
t D. B. Roderick and W. B. Kellar of the De-
partment of Agricultural Chemistry, assisted in
analysis of samples.
MORGAN
AND
the hen is dependent upon an adequate
supply of calcium in the diet in the proper
chemical form. Norris, Heuser, WiL^us and
Ringrose (1933) and Miller and Bearse
(1934) report that satisfactory egg produc-
tion is also dependent upon the proper
amount of phosphorus in the diet.
Balance trials for short periods with lay-
ing birds have been conducted by Halman
(1925), Russell and McDonald (1929) and
Common (1932) (1933) and (1936). These
investigators have shown that in most cases
the laying hen is in negative calcium balance
during egg production. Hainan (1925) and
Common (1932) (1933) show large excre-
tions of phosphorus prior to ovulation.
These investigators believe that phosphorus
is excreted because of the utilization of
calcium in calcium-phosphorus compounds
in egg shell formation. However in more
recent studies Common (1936) has shown
that with a high calcium intake heavy ex-
cretions of phosphorus prior to ovulation
do not occur. On a low calcium intake Buck-
ner, Martin and Peter (1923) and Deobald,
Lease, Hart and Halpin (1936) have shown
[99]
100 C. L. MORGAN AND J. H. MITCHELL

that the amount of calcium in the skeleton specially designed wire cages 2' X 2' floor
of the laying hen is reduced on an inade- space and 2' in height. The floor was made
quate calcium diet. Since the hen may take of % " mesh hardware cloth. A glass plate
calcium from her skeleton for use in egg placed 3 " below the wire floor was used to
production, the possibility of the high egg catch the droppings. Fly screen was placed
producer using this supply of calcium for around the base of the cages to prevent the
egg shell formation is indicated. Further- loss of feathers. Feeders and waterers were
more, the lack of ability on the part of thelocated inside of the cages by hanging them
hen to absorb and assimilate such large to the walls of the cages.
amounts of calcium as required for laying Rations. The ration for the birds was sup-
may limit her yearly production. plied as an all-mash and consisted of
With the dairy cow, the most comparable coarsely ground yellow corn and wheat,
farm animal to the hen in the utilization ofwheat middlings, alfalfa leaf meal, meat
calcium and phosphorus, it has been shown scraps and dried milk plus ]/i percent salt
by a number of workers that during the (NaCl) and a vitamin D concentrate to
early period of lactation there may be a provide an ample supply of this factor. In
negative balance of both calcium and phos- addition the birds were irradiated twice
weekly for periods of two minutes each with
phorus. During the latter period of lactation,
however with a reduced milk flow, the cow a Hanovia poultry treater. The ration had
is in positive balance with regard to these a protein content of approximately 15 per-
elements. Ellenberger, Newlander and Jones cent and phosphorus content of approxi-
(1931) found by weekly balance studies mately 0.85 percent. The ration was pre-
throughout the lactation and gestation pared at frequent intervals so slight varia-
periods of cows that the loss of calcium andtions in content were unavoidable. Grit and
phosphorus during the early lactation periodoyster shell were supplied ad libitum in
was replaced during latter periods of posi- separate feeders. Water was available at all
tive balances and with every individual times.
studied a gain of these elements was noted. Technic. The balance study was divided
In the case of the high producing hen a into periods of fifteen days' duration.
more or less uniform rate of production is Weighed quantities of mash, shell and grit
maintained throughout the laying year, thus were provided for the birds at the beginning
an opportunity to restore any loss of these of each period. At the end of each period
elements would not be provided. the residual food was weighed and the
amounts consumed for each period deter-
EXPERIMENTAL mined.
Stock. The birds used in this study were Feces, feed wastage and fine down and
S. C. White Leghorn pullets. They were debris from the hen's body were collected
placed under the experimental conditions each day from the glass plates, put in por-
on September 28, 1935 just prior to the celain dishes and dried in an electric oven
laying of the first egg. The study was con- at approximately 90° C. It was impossible to
ducted through the first year of laying and collect feed wastage separately so it was
until the beginning of the second year of included both as intake and outgo which
production. Data on three birds were ob- should balance as far as results are con-
tained for this period, or a total of 465 cerned. After drying, the material was
days. stored in a closed glass container until the
Metabolism cages. The birds were kept in end of the period. Any soft shell or broken
 T H E CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS BALANCE OF LAYING HENS 101

eggs were collected with the feces. At the
end of the period the feces were weighed,
ground and sample taken for chemical
analysis.
Feathers were collected daily if any were
shed or molted and placed in tight contain-
from the interior of the shells. The shells
with adhering membranes were weighed
and the weight of the contents determined
by difference. Both shells and contents were
placed in sealed jars and stored in a re-
frigator at approximately 4°C. Chemical

TABLE I.—Hen B-3—140 Eggs

Calcium Per cent Pho sphorus

egg shell
Period Eggs Outgo Cumula- plus mem- Cumula-
laid Hen
Intake tive branes Intake Outgo tive weight
Eggs Total Balance (wet) Balance
15 days gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms.
1 5(1) 24.74 8.04 31.35 - 6.61* 11.5 10.30 8.09 2.21 1597
2 8 33.87 13.29 36.56 - 9.30* 11.2 10.40 9.44 3.17 1692
3 0 6.91 — 10.23 -12.62* — 5.90 6.53 2.54* 1730f
4 4 18.10 6.74 17.48 -12.00 10.5 10.43 7.52 5.45 162lf
5 11 36.99 19.71 36.67 -11.68 10.8 12.44 12.13 5.76 1729
6 9 41.29 17.09 39.50 - 9.89 11.2 14.15 12.53 7.38 1670
7 11 47.07 21.34 47.45 -10.27* 10.7 13.91 14.07 7.22* 1748
8 11 52.99 21.10 51.54 - 8.82 10.5 14.19 13.26 8.15 1731
9 7 39.95 14.10 41.15 -10.02* 10.5 14.69 13.36 9.48 1765
10 2 16.50 3.50 17.75 -11.27* 9.2 12.62 11.58 10.52 1833
11 11 39.38 21.72 42.79 -14.68* 10.5 12.20 12.35 10.37* 1906
12 0 12.88 — 10.52 -12.32 — 11.41 9.31 12.47 1791t
13 5 21.14 9.52 21.84 -13.02 10.1 10.04 8.90 13.61 1875f
14 2 17.88 3.73 14.66 - 9.80 11.3 9.46 8.30 14.77 1798t
15 10 33.79 18.99 33.51 - 9.52 9.7 11.64 11.64 14.77 1886
16 5 20.65 8.75 20.39 - 9.26 9.4 8.22 7.95 15.04 1782
17 5 21.41 8.48 17.94 - 5.79 9.3 10.63 8.75 16.92 1718f
18 8 22.16 13.67 23.32 - 6.95* 9.1 8.91 8.65 17.18 1773t
19 0 0.18 _ 1.74 - 8.51* — 0.16 1.45 15.89* 1523t
20 0 1.87 — 2.51 - 9.15* — 2.52 2.54 15.87* 1174f
21 2 12.93 3.47 10.22 - 6.44 10.5 6.81 4.76 17.92 1295
22 9(1) 33.03 15.00 36.65 -10.06* 9.8 8.05 7.37 18.60 1525
23 6 21.50 10.33 22.42 -10.98* 9.6 7.70 6.99 19.31 1608
24 0 2.57 — 4.37 -12.78* — 3.48 4.24 18.55* 1625
25 0 2.73 — 4.56 -14.61* — 3.68 4.14 18.09* 1467f
26 0 3.18 — 4.58 -16.01* — 4.29 4.54 17.84* 142 If
27 0 3.26 — 3.69 -16.44* — 4.40 4.25 17.99 1406f
28 0 4.29 • — 3.34 -15.49 — 5.79 4.96 18.82 1410f
29 0 5.56 — 3.96 -13.89 — 7.49 5.85 20.46 1503f
30 2 19.53 3.89 12.92 -7.28 10.2 8.37 5.46 23.37 1656
31 1 6.38 1.85 6.72 - 7.62* 9.1 8.50 6.34 25.53 1766

* Negative balance for the period.

t Molting.
( ) Soft shell or broken eggs.

ers. Feathers were weighed at the end of
each period. Composite chemical analysis
was made of feathers.
Eggs were collected from the cages as
soon after laying as possible. Each morning
the eggs of the previous day were weighed,
broken, the contents removed and as much
of the adhering liquid as possible removed
analyses were made as soon as representa-
tive samples for the period were obtained.
The preparation of shells and contents for
analysis followed that of Buckner, Martin
and Peter (1923). Final determinations of
calcium and phosphorus were made accord-
ing to the methods of the Association of
Official Agricultural Chemists.
 102 C. L. MORGAN AND J. H. MITCHELL

TABLE 2—Hen B-5—149 Eggs

Calcium Per cent Phosphorus

egg shell
Period Eggs Outgo Cumula- plus mem- Cumula-
laid Hen
Intake tive branes Intake Outgo tive weight
Eggs Total balance (wet) balance
IS days gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms.
1 8 34.37 13.88 32.58 1.79 12.7 12.45 10.64 1.81 1598
2 10 36.56 17.55 37.86 .49* 12.5 12.00 10.41 3.40 1689
3 9 29.21 16.04 32.11 -2.41* 12.2 11.78 11.31 3.87 1700
4 12 44.50 23.49 46.42 -4.33* 12.3 12.83 10.65 6.05 1771
5 11 52.64 21.99 49.70 -1.39 12.5 13.08 11.32 7.81 1760
6 11 49.16 22.28 48.66 -0.89 12.6 14.91 12.75 9.97 1761
7 12 37.01 24.31 42.45 -6.33* 12.1 14.01 15.61 8.37* 1775
8 11 57.14 22.39 54.85 -4.04 12.3 14.60 12.35 10.62 1742
9 10 50.79 21.07 48.23 -1.48 12.5 15.03 13.50 12.15 1766
10 4 31.87 8.28 31.73 -1.34 12.1 13.36 12.01 13.50 1823
11 10 44.90 21.25 45.12 -1.56* 12.1 13.24 12.78 13.96 1872
12 9 42.18 19.07 40.80 -0.18 12.2 12.77 11.91 14.82 1868
13 1 8.46 2.03 10.46 -2.18* 11.0 5.32 5.20 14.94 1859
14 0 9.11 — 10.47 -3.54* — 8.32 8.90 14.36* 1583f
IS 0 11.60 — 10.92 -2.86 — 9.56 8.95 14.97 1480f
16 0 10.22 — 9.32 -1.96 — 7.96 7.21 15.72 1542f
17 5 39.51 9.30 33.90 3.65 10.7 12.39 9.82 18.29 1621f
18 2 10.61 3.41 13.09 1.17* 9.8 6.94 7.35 17.88* 1776
19 0 10.37 — 9.00 2.54 — 8.09 6.99 18.98 1626
20 9 37.54 17.26 37.56 2.52* 11.6 7.53 9.48 17.03* 1813
21 10 48.97 19.01 38.98 12.51 12.2 7.24 6.79 17.48 1783
22 S 25.99 9.43 22.01 16.49 11.9 7.17 7.09 17.56 1760
23 0 3.13 — 4.68 14.94* — 4.23 4.66 17.13* 1745t
24 0 3.84 — 4.86 13.92* — 5.18 5.36 16.95* 1706f
25 0 2.80 — 3.87 12.85* — 3.77 3.68 17.04 1704f
26 0 4.72 — 4.22 13.35 — 4.84 4.14 17.74 1663t
27 0 5.44 — 4.54 14.25 — 4.80 3.97 18.57 1669f
28 0 5.31 — 4.07 15.49 — 5.12 4.04 19.65 1656f
29 0 9.42 — 5.95 18.96 — 8.15 6.16 21.64 1675f
30 6 37.03 12.33 32.93 23.06 11.6 9.23 7.85 23.02 1922
31 12 45.68 25.98 46.26 22.48* 11.7 11.25 12.18 22.09* 2042

* Negative balance for the period.

f Molting.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION of this hen had a lower percent shell

In Tables 1,2, and 3 are given the results
obtained on the three hens studied for an
entire year of production. Eggs produced,
the hen's weight, intake and outgo and cu-
mulative balances of calcium and phosphor-
us and percent of egg shell and membranes
(wet basis) are given. While the study is
divided into fifteen-day periods it must be
realized that such sharp divisions of intake
and outgo cannot be made.
Hen B-3. This hen laid 140 eggs for the
year. The calcium intake was considerably
lower than the other hens in this study.
The cumulative calcium balance was nega-
tive throughout the year, although during
some periods calcium was stored. The eggs
throughout the year. Of the total calcium
intake 39.10 percent was used in egg forma-
tion. She was out of production several
times in the course of the year and during
these times was in a partial molt. The cu-
mulative phosphorus balance was positive
throughout the year, but during a few peri-
ods slightly negative phosphorus balances
occurred. Egg production varied somewhat
with the calcium balance, but there appears
to be a greater relationship between body
weight and egg production.
Hen B-5. This hen laid 149 eggs for the
year. The cumulative calcium balance was
negative or only slightly positive for the
greater part of the year, however before the
 T H E CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS BALANCE OF LAYING HENS 103

beginning of the second laying year she had
stored considerable calcium.
The calcium intake of this hen was con-
siderably greater than that of B-3. The
cumulative phosphorus balance was posi-
tive throughout the year. During the few
periods in which this hen had negative
phosphorus balances the calcium retention
was small or in negative balance. During
the earlier part of production there was ap-
parently some relationship between produc-
tion and calcium balance, but again body
weight and production showed a consider-
able relationship. The amount of calcium
intake used in egg formation was 39.32 per-
cent. A return to a positive cumulative
calcium balance was accompanied by a re-
duction in the percent egg shell.
Hen B-10. This hen laid 269 eggs for
the year. The calcium intake was consider-
ably greater than for the other hens and
greater in proportion to the number of eggs
laid than Hen B-S. During the early part
of the laying period this hen was in nega-
tive calcium balance, but later became cu-
mulatively positive without any reduction in
number of eggs laid. With the return to a
positive calcium balance was a definite re-
duction in the amount of egg shell which
continued for the remainder of the laying
year. This hen utilized 45.75 percent of her
intake of calcium in egg formation, a consid-

TABLE 3.—Hen B-10—269 Eggs

Calcium Per cent Phosphorus

egg shell
Period Eggs Outgo Cumula- plus mem- Cumula-
laid Hen^
Intake tive branes Intake Outgo tive
# weight
Eggs Total Balance (wet) Balance
15 days gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms. gms.
1 2(2) 19.89 3.66 16.39 3.50 12.1 10.71 8.08 2.63 1547
2 7(2) 30.21 10.91 29.27 4.44 12.3 12.03 11.57 3.09 1709
3 7(3) 24.72 11.54 29.11 0.05* 12.8 11.80 10.61 4.28 1765
4 12 40.03 22.34 40.39 -0.31* 12.4 14.00 12.53 5.75 1774
5 13 48.95 27.60 50.09 -1.45* 13.0 13.90 12.61 7.04 1826
6 13 54.62 27.59 54.77 -1.60* 12.9 14.71 14.17 7.58 1836
7 13 42.82 27.45 47.07 -5.85* 12.2 13.79 13.55 7.82 1845
8 13 61.65 27.77 62.04 -6.24* 12.3 14.21 11.91 10.12 1778
9 11 54.10 21.48 54.75 -6.89* 12.5 16.48 14.63 11.97 1754
10 13 42.21 24.75 44.78 -9.46* 11.8 16.24 16.61 11.60* 1849
11 12 56.38 22.87 54.11 -7.19 12.0 14.97 13.00 13.57 1855
12 12 52.39 22.93 49.89 -4.69 11.8 13.84 12.84 14.57 1857
13 13 51.53 24.50 50.67 -3.83 12.2 14.09 12.71 15.95 1877
14 11(1) 47.40 20.42 45.21 -1.64 11.9 14.78 13.58 17.15 1856
15 13 43.92 22.62 44.32 -2.04 11.4 14.35 14.22 17.28 1911
16 11 43.76 18.73 39.57 2.15 11.2 11.11 9.53 18.86 1921
17 12 49.01 20.70 47.15 4.01 11.5 14.87 13.35 20.38 1856
18 12 38.46 20.39 39.08 3.39 11.0 13.48 13.42 20.44 1937
19 12 46.49 20.56 44.92 4.96 11.0 12.57 10.78 22.23 1912
20 11 38.12 18.77 40.25 2.83* 11.1 10.32 10.32 22.23 1888
21 11 38.00 19.16 38.66 2.17* 11.1 8.13 8.95 21.41* 1958
22 12 47.68 20.26 46.05 3.80 11.1 8.51 7.19 22.73 1939
23 10 45.78 16.59 43.77 5.81 10.8 7.97 6.21 24.49 1892
24 10 30.42 16.92 30.32 5.91 10.9 7.55 7.13 24.91 1900t
25 3 22.43 5.11 20.24 8.10 11.1 6.40 4.84 26.47 1764t
26 0 2.43 •— 4.04 6.49* — 3.27 3.67 26.07* 1691 f
27 0 2.57 — 3.58 5.48* — 3.44 3.61 25.90* 1447 f
28 0 5.31 — 4.25 6.54 — 7.16 4.28 28.78 1310t
29 0 10.38 — 5.08 11.84 — 9.43 5.20 33.01 1454f
30 12 34.77 21.06 35.07 11.54* 10.5 9.62 10.14 32.49* 1749
31 11 49.30 21.26 45.02 15.82 12.0 11.50 9.57 34.42 1532

* Negative balance for the period.

t Molting.
( ) Soft shell or broken eggs.
 104 C. L. MORGAN AND J. H. MITCHELL

erably larger amount than that utilized by egg shell which accompanies a return to a
the other hens. The phosphorus balance was positive calcium balance would appear to be
cumulatively positive throughout the laying due to an exhaustion of previously stored
year. Slight negative phosphorus balances reserves of this element and to the need of
were noted at a few periods. These were the bird to maintain a minimum amount of
associated with negative calcium balances this element in her system.
for the same periods. Molt and cessation of With the level of phosphorus in the ration
egg production were again associated with fed there was no lack of this element for
a loss in body weight. egg production.
While all hens showed a negative calcium Egg production and molt showed greater
balance during the early period of laying relationship to the maintenance of body
it should not be inferred especially in the weight than calcium balance, but inability
case of hen B-10 that the calcium of their to consume and utilize sufficient calcium to
bodies was reduced below physiological re- maintain a positive balance of this element
quirements for this element. Common results in a cessation of laying.
(1932) shows that prior to laying a pullet
REFERENCES
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continued negative calcium balances, as in , 1928. The relative utilization of different
the case of hens B-3 and B-5, egg produc- calcium compounds by hens in the production
of eggs. Jour. Agr. Res. 36:263.
tion was reduced. It would appear that the
Common, R. H., 1932. Mineral balance studies on
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of her inability to consume and assimilate , 1933. Observations on the mineral metab-
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From this study it appears that during
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calcium balance. After a period of negative the growth and egg production of poultry.
balance she may become positive without Poul. Sci. 9 :240.
any change in rate of laying. High egg pro- Miler, M. Wayne, and Gordon E. Bearse, 1934.
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Norris, L. C , G. F. Heuser, H. S. Wilgus, Jr.,
a supply of this element is available in us- and A. T. Ringrose, 1933. The calcium and
able form. The ability of the hen to utilize phosphorus requirements of laying hens. Forty-
calcium appears to be an individual charac- sixth An. Rpt. Cornell Univ. Agr. Expt. Sta.
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1929. The utilization of the calcium of calcium
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