Research Note: Calcitriol Reduces Egg Breakage

Abstract

One hundred and fifty-four White Leghorn layers, 75 wk old, having similar egg production and producing eggs of similar specific gravity and weight, were divided into two groups. The control group was fed a normal basal diet supplemented with cholecalciferol (27.5 ug or 1,100 IU/kg diet) and the treated group was fed the same basal diet but supplemented with calcitriol (5 ug/kg), instead of cholecalciferol. After 3 to 8 wk of treatment, egg breakage during egg washing and grading was 11.2 ± 1.2% (x ± SD) in the control group versus 6.0 ± 1.1% in the treatment group (P<.005). During the 8-wk study, egg specific gravity of the control group decreased from 1.081 to 1.076 compared with a decline from 1.081 to 1.079 in the treated group. It was concluded that substituting calcitriol for cholecalciferol in the diet can significantly reduce egg breakage.(

Quantification of eggshell microstructure using X-ray micro computed tomography

“…Shell microstructure determines crucial production, reproductive and health characteristics of eggs ( Rossi et al , 2013 ). Breakages account for between 8–11% of economic losses in total egg production annually ( Hamilton et al , 1979 ; Tsang, 1992 ). The shell needs to withstand impact during processing and packaging, whereas its total strength needs to be limited to maintain hatchability for breeding purposes.…”

Micro‐Focus X‐Ray Tomography Study of the Microstructure and Morphometry of the Eggshell of Ostriches (Struthio Camerus)

“…The structural properties, that is, the physical and the chemical attributes, of the eggshell determine the hatching success of the bird egg (Lunam and Ruiz, ; Narushin and Romonav, ; Rodriguez‐Navarro, ; Rossi et al, ; Mazzuco and Bertechini, ). In commercial poultry production, losses from shell failure (breakage) are reported to be high (Hamilton et al, ; Tsang, ; Wolc et al, ). In ostriches, it may stem from the volume and weight of the egg, as well as possible changes, and variations in shell structure with nutritional changes and variations in the ages of the laying (female) birds (Brand et al, ).…”