Utilization of Egg Shell Waste by the Laying Hen

Abstract

Egg shell waste produced by a local egg breaking plant was processed as granular egg shell meal and utilized as a dietary calcium source for laying hens to study its nutritional quality relative to ground limestone. One hundred and ninety-two Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens were fed diets containing 0, 1.75, 3.5, and 7% egg shell waste in place of ground limestone. Production traits and egg quality were studied during two different production periods, 27 to 51 weeks of age and 67 to 91 weeks of age. No differences in egg production and egg quality traits among treatments were found during the early period of the egg production cycle. During the latter period of the egg production cycle, egg shell diets supported significantly improved egg production and feed utilization. No significant improvement in egg and egg shell quality was observed. Possible explanation of the nutritional advantage of egg shell waste over ground limestone was discussed.