LIMESTONE OF BUKIT KAMANG AS A CALCIUM SOURCE FOR LAYING HENS
Abstract: A feeding trial was
conducted to study the use of natural limestone meal originated from Bukit
Kamanglocated at Agam district of West Sumatra to substitute fresh water oyster
shell as the main source ofcalcium in diet of laying hens. The mineral feed
formula, as treatments, composed of limestone in combinationwith freshwater
oyster shell in five different percent ratios: 100:0; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75 and
0:100. The mineralswere mixed in the level of 6 % into basal diet composed
mainly corn, rice bran and concentrates. The fiveexperimental diets were then
fed to 150 laying hens. They were divided into 5 groups; each group
wassubdivided into 3 replicates groups containing 10 hens. Parameters measured
included: feed intake, eggproduction, FCR, eggshell quality, Ca and P
retention, tibia bone mineralization. Results showed the nutritivevalues of
limestone of Bukit Kamang as mineral source of laying hen diet were found not
significantlydifferent from those of oysters shell. The hens fed with diet
supplemented with Bukit Kamang’s limestonetended to give better laying
performances than those of supplemented with fresh water oyster shell. Thelaying
performances, egg shell quality and Ca and P retentions did not significantly
improved, when limestonewas mixed by oyster shell.
Author: K. Khalil, S. Anwar
Journal Code: jppeternakangg090023
