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Importance of Calcium and Phosphorus in Layers
During the lifetime of a layer, undoubtedly one of the most important mineral is Calcium (Ca) and the other one is Phosphorus (P). Calcium is the most abundant mineral with the number of 99 % found in bones and Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral with 80 % found in bones. Because of the importance of those minerals, a proper balance of calcium and phosphorus is crucial and has to be present in the diet. Excess calcium in the diet will result in the malabsorption of phosphorus at the gut level. Similarly, excess phosphorus will have the same effect on calcium. Therefore, the addition of a ratio of 1.5-2 Calcium: 1 Phosphorus is required for optimal absorption and utilization of these minerals.
Depending on the age and state of the animals, a higher or lower requirement of these minerals should be present. During young ages, the animal requires high doses of this essential mineral for proper bone formation. In later stages, the requirements will increase due to the high usage of calcium and phosphorus for egg production. During production, the chicken will mobilize the deposits of calcium in the bones for the mineralization of the eggshell.
More than just part of a bone!
Hence, the main role of Ca is in the skeletal system and eggshell calcification. However, Ca is also critical to many biochemical pathways such as;
- Muscle contraction
- Neurologic conduction
- Blood coagulation
- Control of hormone secretions such as Vitamin D3 and parathyroid hormone
- Co-factor of many enzymes
Phosphorus is required for;
- Growth of muscles
- Formation of egg
- The nucleic acid synthesis
- Phospholipids
- Amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis
- Many enzymes as co-factor like calcium
What if Calcium and Phosphorus are missing from the feed?
Deficiencies of Ca and P can cause;
- Retarded growth
- Low feed intake and higher feed conversion ratio
- less egg production and more eggs with soft eggshells
- Skeletal malformations
- Tetany
To avoid deficiencies that will have their repercussions on the bone and also on the flock uniformity, in XVET we have a product that not only supplies a liquid, well-balanced, and highly absorbable source of minerals but also Vitamin D3; providing the 3 main components for a proper bone formation: Cal D Phos.
Cal D Phos® supports an optimum Calcium and Phosphorus balance and provides Vitamin D3, which is necessary for the absorption, metabolism, and at the same time mobilization of minerals. This way, deficiencies are avoided efficiently and quickly, maintaining the health and performance of the flock!
For more information please contact us by sending an email to technical@xvetgermany.com
Sources:
de Matos, Ricardo. “Calcium metabolism in birds.” Veterinary clinics of North America: exotic animal practice 11.1 (2008): 59-82.
Kebreab, E., et al. “Development and evaluation of a dynamic model of calcium and phosphorus flows in layers.” Poultry Science 88.3 (2009): 680-689. Pastore, Silvana Marques, et al. “Calcium levels and calcium: available phosphorus ratios in diets for white egg layers from 42 to 58 weeks of age.” Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 41 (2012): 2424-2432.
