Effect of a Chelated Calcium Proteinate Dietary Supplement on the Reproductive Performance of Large White Turkey Breeder Hens1

2004 Poultry Science Association, Inc.

Effect of a Chelated Calcium Proteinate Dietary Supplement on the Reproductive Performance of Large White Turkey Breeder Hens1 J. L. Grimes,*,2 S. Noll,† J. Brannon,† J. L. Godwin,* J. C. Smith,‡ and R. D. Rowland§

Primary Audience: Nutritionists, Hatchery Managers, Researchers, Breeder Flock Supervisors SUMMARY Researchers have reported that organic mineral complexes can have increased availability compared with inorganic sources. This work was conducted to examine the inclusion of a small amount of chelated calcium proteinate (CalKey) into turkey breeder hen diets and its effect on turkey breeder hen performance. Two studies were conducted, one each in Minnesota (A) and North Carolina (B). Typical corn and soybean meal diets without animal by-product meals were used as the control diets. Hens in the first study were photostimulated at 30 wk of age in December with 15L:9D for a 24-wk lay period, and hens in a second study were photostimulated after an induced molt in January with 15.5L:8.5D for a 24-wk lay period. In study A, hatchability of fertile eggs was improved during the last 4 wk of production for hens fed calcium proteinate. During 1 period, hens fed calcium proteinate had lower daily feed intake and increased incidence of softshelled eggs. In study B, hatchability of fertile eggs was improved for hens fed dietary calcium proteinate for 19 and 20 wk of lay. This result was associated with improved embryo livability for wk 3 and 4 of development. It was concluded that feeding 500 ppm calcium from chelated calcium proteinate improved hatchability of turkey eggs during the later period of egg production, which was associated with decreased late embryo mortality. Key words: chelated calcium proteinate, turkey breeder hen, reproduction, egg production, egg fertility, egg hatchability 2004 J. Appl. Poult. Res. 13:639–649

1

The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Research Service, the Minnesota Research Service, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, or the Minnesota Cooperative Extension Service of the products mentioned or criticism of similar ones not mentioned. 2 To whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected].

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

*Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7608; †Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55108; ‡North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Monroe, North Carolina 28110; and §Chelated Minerals Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104

JAPR: Research Report

640

DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM

MATERIALS AND METHODS Two turkey breeder hen feeding trials were conducted (A and B). Trial A was conducted in Minnesota, and Trial B was conducted in North Carolina. Trial A. Large White Nicholas strain turkey breeder hens (female line) were moved into a breeder facility at 30 wk of age. Hens were randomly distributed into 16 pens with 24 hens per pen (5.25 ft2/hen). One of 2 feed treatments was randomly assigned to each pen of hens to provide 8 replicate pens per treatment. Each pen

Ingredient Corn Soybean meal, 44% Soybean meal, 48% Wheat midds Fermentation residue product Dicalcium phosphate Limestone Poultry fat Salt DL-Methionine, 99% Trace mineral mixA SeleniumB Vitamin mixC Choline Chloride, 60% CalKeyD Total Calculated nutrient content Metabolizable energy, kcal/kg Protein, % Calcium, % Phosphorus, inorganic, % Lysine, % Methionine + cystine, %

Trial A (%)

Trial B (%)

69.50 19.68 — 1.64 0.25 1.89 6.02 — 0.30 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.28 0.14

64.6 — 22.5 — — 2.0 6.0 4.0 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.15 0.2 —

100

100

2,803 15.00 2.75 0.45 0.77 0.62

2,993 16.20 2.74 0.49 0.89 0.68

A Provided per kilogram of diet for trial A: 60 mg of Zn as ZnO, 60 mg of Mn as MnSO4H2O, 20 mg of Fe as FeSO4H2O, 2 mg of Cu as CuSO4, 1.2 mg of I as ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, 0.16 mg of Se as NaSeO3. Provided per kilogram of diet for trial B: 60 mg of Zn as ZnSO4H2O, 60 mg of Mn as MnSO4H2O, 40 mg of Fe as FeSO4H2O, 5 mg of Cu as CuSO4, 1.25 mg of I as Cu(IO3)2, 0.5 mg of Co as CoSO4. B Provided 0.3 mg Se, as NaSeO3, per Kg of diet for Study B. C Provided per kilogram of diet for trial A: vitamin A, 9,856 IU; vitamin D3, 2,464 ICU; vitamin E, 25 IU; vitamin B12, 15 µg; riboflavin, 7.4 mg; niacin, 31 mg; D-pantothenate, 15 mg; menadione, 2.5 mg; folic acid, 1.2 mg; D-biotin, 62 mg; choline chloride, 123 mg. Provided per kilogram of diet for trial B: vitamin A, 13,200 IU; vitamin D3, 4,000 ICU; vitamin E, 66 IU; vitamin B12, 40 µg; riboflavin, 13.2 mg; niacin, 110 mg; D-pantothenate, 22 mg; menadione, 4 mg; folic acid, 2.2 mg; thiamine, 4 mg; pyridoxine, 8 mg; dbiotin, 252 µg; ethoxyquin, 100 mg. D CalKey (Chelated Minerals Corporation, Salt Lake City, UT) is 20% Ca. For trial A, the treatment diet was formulated by removing 1.3 kg of limestone and adding 2.5 kg of CalKey/1,000 kg of diet. For trial B, the 500 ppm Ca from CalKey diet was formulated by removing 1.3 kg of limestone and adding 2.5 kg of CalKey per 1,000 kg of diet, and the 250 ppm Ca from CalKey diet was formulated by removing 0.65 kg of limestone and adding 1.25 kg of CalKey per 1,000 kg of diet.

of hens was fed a control diet (Table 1) or a control diet with 500 ppm Ca from chelated Ca proteinate (CalKey) [14]. The feed level of total

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

As turkey breeder hens age, eggs are less likely to be fertile and, if fertile, are less likely to hatch [1]. In addition to age, turkey egg hatching quality can be impaired by increased environmental temperature [2]. Declines in eggshell quality at the end of lay might be partially due to increased egg sizes that are now laid by modern strains of turkey breeder hens [3]. The NRC [4] recommended level for dietary Ca for turkey breeder hens in egg production is 2.25%. Based on surveys, the typical turkey industry breeder hen diet contains 2.75 to 3.25% Ca [5]. Increasing the turkey breeder hen dietary Ca beyond 3.5 to 4% can be counter-productive and is not recommended [6]. The dietary Ca source for commercial turkey production is typically limestone with oyster shell occasionally provided to breeder hens. However, much has been reported on the use of organic trace minerals in livestock nutrition. Organic minerals can occur in several forms including amino acid complex, amino chelate, mineral proteinate, and a mineral polysaccharide complex [7]. Although variable, it has been reported that organic forms of minerals have increased mineral bioavailability for animals [7, 8, 9, 10] including poultry [11, 12, 13]. Female Large White turkeys fed a chelated trace mineral mix had significantly higher percentages of settable eggs, greater feed consumption, and thicker eggshells [2]. Dietary organic Ca might improve the reproductive performance of turkey breeder hens, especially shell quality and hatchability of fertile eggs. Therefore, the objective of this trial was to determine the effect of a chelated Ca proteinate (CalKey) [14] on turkey breeder hen performance.

TABLE 1. Basal diets for turkey breeder hens for trials A and B

GRIMES ET AL.: CHELATED CALCIUM PROTEINATE

poult mortality were also analyzed for treatment effect using ANOVA [15]. The least significant difference (LSD) was used to separate treatment means (P ≤ 0.05). Percentage data were divided by 100 and subjected to arc sin transformation of the square root before analysis; however, actual percentage means and SEM are presented. Trial B. Two hundred sixteen (216), 1-yrold Hybrid (Euro-FP) Large White turkey breeder hens (female line) were induced molted in the fall. These hens were then randomly assigned to 24 pens with 9 hens per pen and photostimulated with 15.5L:8.5D in January for a 24wk egg production period. One of three feed treatments was randomly assigned to each pen of hens. The basal diet was a typical turkey breeder hen diet (Table 1). The dietary treatments were 3 levels of a chelated Ca proteinate (CalKey) [14]: 1) control, no supplement added; 2) chelated Ca proteinate supplement added at 250 ppm (CP-250); and 3) chelated Ca proteinate supplement added at 500 ppm (CP-500). The feed level of total Ca was formulated to be the same for all 3 rations. There were 8 replicate pens of hens per dietary treatment. Toms of the same strain were housed in a separate building and were used to provide semen for the hens. The hens were artificially inseminated weekly with 0.05 mL of diluted semen (2 parts semen and 1 part semen extender) per hen. Eggs were collected 5 times per day and stored for up to 14 d. The egg storage length was the same for all treatments for all hatches. Eggs from 2 wk of egg production per month were sorted by pen and incubated for 28 d, which provided 6 hatches. All of the eggs for each hatch were set in the same incubator. Eggs were set by pen and each group (pen) of eggs was randomly placed in the incubator. For each hatch, 3 sample eggs per pen and resulting poults were weighed. Three additional eggs per pen were also collected and weighed. These 3 eggs per pen were used to ascertain shell quality by determining the percentage of dry shell weight and shell thickness. Shell thickness was measured at 3 locations per shell—at both ends and the middle. The mean of the 3 measurements was used for comparison. Unhatched eggs from each hatch were broken out and examined visually to determine the day of

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

Ca was formulated to be the same for both rations. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Feed intake was determined weekly and calculated for daily intake. The hens were photostimulated with a 15L:9D photoperiod for a 24-wk egg production period. Hens were inseminated with pooled semen 3 times during the first week of insemination and then weekly. The hens were artificially inseminated weekly with 0.05 mL of semen per hen. Semen was diluted (1 part semen and 1 part semen extender). Fifteen percent of the hens could not be inseminated for 3 consecutive weeks at various times during the study and were removed from the trial. Broodiness was assessed by hen behavior and nesting frequency. Broody hens were moved to a designated pen without nests for a 5-d period where they were exposed to a different litter and brighter light. Eggs were collected 8 times per day, washed, disinfected, and then stored. Eggs were sent weekly to a commercial hatchery. Fertility and hatchability were determined on eggs collected during the second week of each 4-wk production period. All of the eggs for each hatch were set in the same incubator. Eggs were set by pen within the incubator. Eggshell quality, specific gravity, and shell weight per unit surface area (SWUSA) were assessed at 8, 20, and 24 wk of lay with 2 d of egg collection. Unhatched eggs from each hatch were broken out and examined visually to determine if the egg was fertile. Male progeny from eggs hatched from 17 to 20 wk of production were raised to 4 wk of age. The poults hatched from eggs from each breeder pen were wing-banded and randomized into 4 large brooder pens. All poults were fed the same cornsoybean meal starter diet in crumbled form (diet not shown). Poults were weighed individually at 2 and 4 wk of age, and mortality was recorded daily. Egg production, egg quality, hen broodiness, and mortality were recorded daily. The data were summarized for 4-wk periods and for the cumulative 24-wk production cycle. Hen-day egg production was calculated. Data for rate of egg production, incidence of broodiness, egg weight, feed intake, body weight, egg specific gravity, SWUSA, egg fertility, and egg hatchability were analyzed for treatment effect using ANOVA within each 4-wk period and for cumulative data [15]. Progeny poult BW at 2 and 4 wk as well as

641

56.2 91.5 6.7 87.9 69.9 259 1.078 83.58 45.7 94.2 5.6 92.9 80.7a 217 1.072 80.65 A

a,b

Means within row and weeks of lay with different superscripts are significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). Shell weight per unit surface area.

51.8 95.4 5.2b 89.7 80.5 300a 1.079 84.07 58.6 93.4 5.5 92.4 82.7 285 54.6 94.6 5.9 93.5 75.7 309 59.4 92.0 6.7 95.2 82.5 282 1.084 86.87 58.8 91.3 4.3 96.1 81.7 285 1.083 87.38 61.5 88.5 5.4a 88.9 81.5 253 61.3 90.2 2.4b 89.9 87.2 253 58.1 88.0 7.3 66.3 10.7 242 58.3 87.9 5.2 70.9 18.8 241 Egg production % hen-day Egg weight (g) Soft shell (%) Fertility (%) Hatch of fertile (%) Feed intake (g/hen per day) Specific gravity SWUSAA (mg/cm2)

CC CN CC CN CC CN CC CN CC CN

51.4 93.3 10.3a 91.7 81.1 277b 1.079 83.22

43.0 97.5 6.3 88.4 73.2b 255 1.072 80.10

55.0 92.8 4.8 88.1 69.5 272 1.078 83.85

SEM CC CC CN

CN

Mean 21–24 17–20

Weeks of Lay

13–16 9–12 5–8

Hen reproductive performance data for study A are presented in Table 2. The low hatchability of fertile eggs in the 1- to 4-wk period was primarily attributed to cold barn temperatures that occurred during the week that the eggs were collected for the hatching study. Hatching was delayed, and the hatch was pulled at a predetermined time. Egg production, egg weight, fertility, specific gravity, and SWUSA were not affected by diet. The hens fed the chelated Ca proteinate had a higher proportion of soft-shelled eggs for 5 to 8 and 17 to 20 wk of lay. However, the cumulative means for soft-shelled eggs were not different due to treatment. Hatchability of all eggs set was not affected by treatment (data not shown). Hatchability of fertile eggs was improved from 73.2 to 80.7% during the last 4 wk of production for eggs from hens fed the chelated Ca proteinate. Feed intake was reduced in hens fed chelated Ca proteinate during wk 17 to 20, and the reduction in feed intake approached sig-

1–4

Trial A

TABLE 2. Reproductive performance of Large White turkey hens fed control feed (CN) or feed containing calcium proteinate (CC) for trial A

RESULTS

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

embryo death and to determine if the egg was fertile. Hen feed consumption, by pen, was determined monthly. Hen body weight was measured at the beginning of the study to equalize body weights for the 3 treatments. During the course of the study, 34% of the hens were not receptive to insemination (oviducts could not be everted), were termed not reproductively active (i.e., out of production), and were removed from the study. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The following parameters were compared: feed consumption, egg production, egg weight, poult weight, fertility, hatchability of all eggs, hatchability of fertile eggs, eggshell quality (percentage of shell and shell thickness), and week of embryo death. Pen served as the experimental unit. Data were analyzed using GLM program of SAS [15]. Treatment means for each parameter were compared within each 2-wk period. Percentage data were divided by 100 and subjected to arc sin transformation of the square root before analysis; however, actual percentage means and SEM are presented. The least significant difference (LSD) was used to separate treatment means (P ≤ 0.05).

2.44 0.7 1.10 2.77 2.13 6.53 0.000 0.46

JAPR: Research Report

642

GRIMES ET AL.: CHELATED CALCIUM PROTEINATE

643

nificance during wk 13 to 16 (P = 0.08) wk and 21 to 24 (P = 0.07). However, there were no differences in hen BW due to dietary treatment at 9 to 12 (11.1 ± 0.2 kg) or 21 to 24 (11.4 ± 0.2 kg) wk of lay. Hen broodiness and mortality were also not affected by dietary treatment (data not shown). There were no hen dietary treatment affects on the male progeny to 4 wk of age for 2 wk BW (340.6 ± 1.2 g), 4 wk BW (1013 ± 15 g), or cumulative mortality (2.1 ± 1.3 %). Trial B Body weight was not different for any of the 3 groups throughout the trial (data not shown). Egg production was not affected by dietary treatment and was as expected until about 15 wk of lay and then declined fairly rapidly for the duration of the trial (Figure 1). This result is typical for induced molted turkey breeder hens especially during hot weather. Hen performance parameters and poult weights are presented in

Table 3. At 3 to 4 wk of lay, eggs produced by hens fed the CP-250 diet were heavier than those produced by hens fed the CP-500 diet, and eggs produced by the control hens were intermediate. There were no other differences in egg weight for the rest of the study period. Poults from hens fed the CP-250 diet were significantly heavier than poults from hens fed the control or CP-500 diets at 16 wk of lay. Hens fed the CP500 diets produced eggs with a greater percentage of shell compared with eggs from hens fed the CP250 diet (19 to 20 and 21 to 24 wk), but neither group differed from the control hens. There were no differences in shell thickness due to dietary treatments. Fertility of eggs was not different due to dietary treatments. The overall fertility was very good in that it was maintained at over 90% until 20 wk of lay. However, at 19 to 20 wk of lay, there was a significant effect of dietary treatment on hatchability of fertile eggs set. Hens fed chelated Ca proteinate had higher hatchability of fertile eggs than hens fed the control diet.

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

FIGURE 1. Settable hen-housed egg production for induced-molted, Large White turkey breeder hens fed the following treatments: CON = control, no supplement; CP-250 = calcium proteinate at 250 ppm; CP = 500, calcium proteinate at 500 ppm (trial B).

98.3 67.9 8.5ab 0.39 87.2 50.9b

CON

102.8 69.3 9.0 0.62 95.1 78.3

ab

CON

101.4 64.3 8.2b 0.38 91.7 68.2a

CP-250

19–20

103.9 69.0 8.8 0.61 96.8 82.0

a

CP-250 100.6 64.8 8.8 0.65 95.0 82.2

CON

97.3 65.3 8.7a 0.39 86.8 66.4a

CP-500 99.3 57.7 8.4ab 0.38 72.8 53.0

CON

Weeks of lay

100.2 69.2 9.0 0.61 98.7 73.2

b

CP-500

98.3 58.5 8.0b 0.37 62.2 54.8

CP-250

23–24

100.3 66.7 8.8 0.65 96.3 87.6

CP-250

7–8

97.1 58.5 8.5a 0.39 64.7 58.4

CP-500

99.2 65.1 9.1 0.66 95.7 80.4

CP-500 98.9 70.1 8.8 0.63 91.3 75.3

CON

1.33 1.42 0.23 0.01 3.52 5.0

SEM

A

a,b

100.2 71.3 8.8 0.65 88.7 69.2

CP-250

11–12

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

Means within row and week of lay with different superscripts are significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). Treatments are as follows: CON = control, no supplement; CP-250 calcium proteinate at 250 ppm; CP-500 calcium proteinate at 500 ppm.

Egg weight (g) Poult weight (g) Shell (%) Shell thickness (mm) Fertility (%) Hatch of fertile (%)

Egg weight (g) Poult weight (g) Shell (%) Shell thickness (mm) Fertility (%) Hatch of fertile (%)

Parameter

3–4

Weeks of lay

TABLE 3. Reproductive performance of induced molted, Large White turkey hens fed calcium proteinate for trial BA

CON 99.2 66.6b 8.4 0.39 92.7 78.4

CP-500 100.2 69.3 8.9 0.65 91.3 70.8

102.0 70.6a 8.5 0.40 91.6 75.4

CP-250

15–16

99.7 67.5b 8.7 0.40 92.1 74.7

CP-500

644

JAPR: Research Report

GRIMES ET AL.: CHELATED CALCIUM PROTEINATE

645

TABLE 4. Embryo mortality of eggs produced by turkey hens fed calcium proteinate (trial B) ParameterA and treatmentB

4

8

12

16

20

24

1.5 3.5 4.6 1.1

3.0 2.0 3.5 1.2

2.4 9.1 3.7 3.1

5.1 5.7 7.5 2.4

10.0 6.7 5.7 2.8

1.3 4.2 6.1 2.1

0.0 0.5 0.0 0.3

0.4 0.0 0.8 0.4

0.0 0.6 0.0 0.4

0.0 0.0 0.4 0.3

0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.5 0.3 0.5 0.4

1.7 1.2 0.7 0.9

1.3 1.3 1.6 0.9

3.0 4.6 2.7 1.3

4.6a 2.2ab 0b 1.2

3.2 3.0 3.9 2.0

4.1 2.4 1.4 1.0

2.6 0.6 3.0 1.2

1.1 1.5 3.7 1.8

2.1 3.5 1.8 1.0

15.3a 8.2ab 6.1b 3.0

1.4 10.6 5.8 3.8

0.7 0.3 0.5 0.4

0.0 0.6 0.0 0.3

0.8 1.7 1.8 1.2

0.4 2.6 1.3 1.7

1.0 1.2 4.4 1.3

17.6 3.0 11.5 6.7

12.1 10.5 10.8 2.6

10.0 8.0 11.7 2.6

19.1 16.6 18.5 4.5

10.1 10.9 10.9 2.9

17.3 13.5 12.5 3.1

21.2 18.3 22.6 4.4

Means within columns and parameter with different superscripts are significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). Parameters: wk 1 = embryo death during 0 to 7 d of incubation; wk 2 = embryo death during 8 to 14 d of incubation; wk 3 = embryo death during 15 to 21 d of incubation; wk 4 = embryo death during 22 to 25 d of incubation; IP = internal pips, embryos at 26 d of incubation; EP = external pips, embryos at 27 d of incubation. B Treatments are as follows: CON = control, no supplement; CP-250 calcium proteinate at 250 ppm; CP-500 calcium proteinate at 500 ppm. a,b A

Embryo mortality data are presented in Table 4. There were no differences in embryo mortality for wk 1, wk 2, internal pipped eggs, or external pipped eggs. However, at 20 wk of lay there was a significant reduction in wk 3 and 4 embryo death as the dietary supplement increased from none (control) to 500 ppm (CP-500). This decrease in embryo death corresponded to a increase in hatchability of fertile eggs at 20 wk of age (Table 3). There were no differences in the number of hens that went out of production during the study (study mean = 33.7%). This overall mean was typical in that induced molted hens generally are not held in production past 16 to 18 wk of

lay because of a rapid decline in productivity. In addition, this trial terminated during July, and hot weather generally leads to a more rapid decline of egg production in turkey breeder hens [8].

DISCUSSION The performances of the turkey hens used in both trials of this study were typical and agreed with published reports [16, 17]. The poor performance of the hens in trial B, especially after 18 wk of lay, should be noted (Figure 1) and also agrees with published reports. Grimes et al. [17] observed a sharp decline in egg production in induced molted turkey hens after 16

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

Wk 1 (%) CON CP-250 CP-500 SEM Wk 2 (%) CON CP-250 CP-500 SEM Wk 3 (%) CON CP-250 CP-500 SEM Wk 4 (%) CON CP-250 CP-500 SEM IP (%) CON CP-250 CP-500 SEM EP (%) CON CP-250 CP-500 SEM

Week of lay

646

organic Ca in poultry diets, especially turkey breeder hen diets. Some have suggested that the absorbability of minerals, including Ca sources, is dependent upon their solubility in aqueous solutions [11, 22]. Cao et al. [11] reported that the organic Zn source with the lowest solubility is the most bioavailable for chicks and lambs. However, Heaney et al. [22] reported a study using 7 chemically defined Ca sources in women. From their data, they concluded that the solubility of a Ca source has very little influence on its absorbability and that absorbability of Ca from food sources is determined by other food components. Henry and Pesti [23] reported on the use of Ca citrate-malate as a Ca source, compared with commercial-grade limestone, for broiler chicks. Calcium citrate-malate is more soluble than Ca citrate or Ca carbonate [22, 23, 24, 25]. As a Ca source, the Ca citrate-malate was comparable to limestone. Chicks fed Ca citrate-malate grew better and had better feed efficiency than those fed limestone although the improved growth was not due to increased bioavailability of Ca. For poultry, the term solubility can be confused with particle size. Roland and Harms [26] reported that the beneficial effect of larger particles of Ca carbonate for Single Comb White Leghorn layer chickens was due to a slower release of Ca from the gizzard. This was also referred to as “solubilized” Ca, and the terms “size” and “solubility” with reference to Ca in poultry hen eggshell physiology have been interchanged [27]. In the study reported here, the Ca sources were in powder (limestone) or granular (dicalcium phosphate and chelated Ca proteinate) form. Therefore, even though the solubility of the Ca in the chelated Ca proteinate used in the 2 current studies was not measured, solubility was probably not a factor in the observed improved hatchability of fertile eggs. Thomason et al. [2] studied the effect of feeding a nonchelated vs. a chelated trace mineral mix on turkey breeder hen eggshell quality. The chelated trace mineral mix contained EDTA salts of Zn (EDTA-Zn) that substituted in the same proportion for the normal trace mineral mix. While the chelated minerals were not the same as used in the 2 trials reported herein, a comparison of results might be useful. Thomason et al. [2] exposed the hens to 3 different environmental temperatures: 12.8, 21.1, and

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

wk of lay. Van Krey et al. [18] reported that although egg production is comparable for a preand postmolted flock of turkey hens, hatchability of all eggs set is reduced by 8% in the molted flock. However, Leighton et al. [19] reported that postmolt reproductive performance was comparable to premolt reproductive performance in a research flock and 3 commercial breeder hen flocks. Even in first cycle hens, hatchability of fertile eggs can decline to comparable levels observed for the induced molted hens in this study. Lerner et al. [1] reported that the mean hatchability for eggs from 8 commercial flocks was approximately 60% in the fifth month of lay for first cycle hens. The flock that was induced molted was kept in lay only 13 wk with an ending egg production of approximately 30%, although hatchability was still relatively high. Short lay periods of 18 wk or less for induced molted turkey breeder hens is typical for the turkey industry due to the rapid decline in egg production and hatchability of fertile eggs [20]. Selecting best first-cycle layers for induced molting improves subsequent flock egg production over nonselected flocks [21]. Commercial flocks are typically selected during the first lay cycle for the best performers as nonlayers are removed from the flock during weekly insemination. The induced molted flock used in trial B of this study contained all of the hens from the first cycle and was not selected for best performers. Therefore, the decline in egg production and percentage of hatchability of fertile eggs in this study was not unexpected. A potential decline in late lay reproductive performance by induced molted hens was contemplated by the authors, during the planning stages of this study, to be a potential model to test the effects of the chelated Ca proteinate product used. Although some of the differences in reproductive performance due to dietary treatments were inconsistent, the one consistent response for both trials was the increased hatchability of fertile eggs produced late in lay by the hens fed the chelated Ca proteinate. However, this response was not related to improvements in eggshell quality as measured in this study. There is a substantial body of literature on the use of organic minerals in livestock nutrition, poultry nutrition, and human nutrition, but there seem to be very few published reports on the use of

JAPR: Research Report

GRIMES ET AL.: CHELATED CALCIUM PROTEINATE

in the 2 turkey trials reported in the study reported herein. Similar results of the positive effect of maternal dietary organic mineral supplementation on reproductive performance in other livestock species have also been reported. Mirando et al. [30] conducted a study to determine if dietary supplementation of proteinated Zn, Mn, and Cu influenced reproductive performance of swine sows. They replaced 25% of the Zn, Mn, and Cu in a mineral premix with a proteinated form fed to sows during the first 30 d of gestation. The number of live fetuses was less (8.8 ± 1.7 vs. 13.5 ± 1.7), and the number of dead fetuses was greater (3.1 ± 0.6 vs. 0.9 ± 1.7) for the sows fed the control diets vs. the sows with 25% of the Zn, MN, and Cu fed in a proteinated form. These results are similar to the studies reported here in that the ultimate effect of the proteinated mineral fed in the maternal diet was on the livability of the embryos, whether in a uterus or an egg. In addition, the duration of estrus was less and pregnancy rate was greater for sows receiving the proteinated minerals than for sows fed the control diet. Tiffany et al. [31] reported on two 2-yr studies conducted to determine the effects dietary P and trace mineral source on growth and reproduction in beef cows. The treatments included free choice minerals containing supplemental P or no supplemental P with inorganic trace minerals or trace mineral proteinates in which 50% of the Cu and Mn and 66% of the Zn were provided as proteinates. In yr 1, Angus cow pregnancy rates were higher during artificial insemination breeding period in cows receiving the organic trace minerals. In the second year, organic trace minerals with P improved Angus cow pregnancy rates compared with the controls, whereas organic minerals without P did not. In the second study, the organic trace minerals improved pregnancy rates in Simmental but not Angus cows in yr 2. The mode of action of organic mineral chelates or complexes is mostly unknown. Certain mineral complexes may contribute to some biological processes that inorganic minerals do not affect. Therefore, for certain physiological processes or biological pools, the form of the mineral may be more important than the quantity [7]. For example, Neathery et al. [32] reported

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

29.4°C. There was no difference in 16-wk egg production due to diet. However, the percentage of settable eggs was significantly higher for hens fed the chelated trace mineral diet, and this interacted with environmental temperature. In addition, there was a reduced feed intake associated with the increased temperature. The authors suggested the possibility that with reduced feed consumption at higher temperatures, the minerals needed for eggshell calcification may be more available to the turkey hen due to the chelation process. There was no difference in the percentage of hatchability of fertile eggs. However, the hatch of fertile egg data for the Thomason et al. study [2] was for the first 16 wk of lay where in the 2 trials conducted herein the effect on hatchability of fertile eggs was observed after 16 wk of lay. In the Thomason et al. study [2], the hens fed the chelated trace mineral diet consumed 0.8 kg more feed and weighed an average of 0.3 kg more after 16 wk of lay compared with those fed the control diet (P < 0.05). The study by Thomason demonstrates that a change in dietary mineral form, even when fed in small amounts, can have significant impact on reproductive performance under some conditions. The effects of maternal dietary organic minerals have also had positive affects on broiler breeder hen progeny. Kidd et al. [28], in 3 trials with broiler breeders, examined the effects maternal dietary organic Zn vs. inorganic Zn on growth and immunity of offspring chicks. They reported that supplemental Zn methionine in hen diets increased cellular response and increased embryonic bone weights in progeny. In addition, dietary Zn methionine in hen and offspring diets enhanced primary titers to Salmonella pullorum antigen. Kidd et al. [29] conducted experiments to examine the effects of supplementing Zn methionine to diets of young broiler breeder hens with subsequent evaluation of the progeny’s immunocompetence. They reported that supplementing Zn methionine to corn-soybean or milocorn-soybean based diets of the hens resulted in cutaneous basal hypersensitivity to phytohemagglutinin P in their progeny. Supplementation of the maternal diet did not affect the hatchability of the eggs. However, the last egg collection was made as the hens were achieving 76% production. Eggs were not collected late in lay as

647

JAPR: Research Report

648 that although ZnCl and corn forage Zn are absorbed similarly by Zn-deficient calves, Zn retention is higher in liver, spleen, heart, lung, and small intestines for Zn from plant sources. It is possible that the Ca in the chelated Ca proteinate

used in this study is being used for a different physiological process than eggshell formation or calcification. Further research is needed to ascertain possible effects of this Ca source on egg content formation or embryo physiology.

CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS 1. Supplementing turkey breeder hen diets with chelated Ca proteinate (CalKey) improved hatchability of fertile turkey eggs compared with control-fed hens late in the lay cycle. 2. This increase in hatchability of eggs was manifested as a decrease in embryo death during wk 3 and 4 of incubation. 3. Further research is needed to ascertain the mode of action of chelated Ca proteinate fed to hens with subsequent effect on the embryos.

1. Lerner, S. P., N. French, D. McIntyre, and C. Baxter-Jones. 1993. Age-related changes in egg production, fertility, embryonic mortality, and hatchability in commercial turkey flocks. Poult. Sci. 72:1025–1039. 2. Thomason, D. M., A. T. Leighton, Jr, and J. P. Mason, Jr. 1976. A study of certain environmental factors and mineral chelation on the reproductive performance of young and yearling turkey hens. Poult. Sci. 55:1343–1355. 3. Rowland, S. 2003. Influence of egg size on incubation and poult quality. Pages 104–108 in Proc. 5th Int. Symp. Turkey Reprod. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 4. National Research Council. 1994. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 9th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC. 5. Kuhl, H. J., Jr. 2003. An industry survey of nutrient levels currently fed to turkey breeder hens. Pages 23–25 in Proc. 5th Int. Symp. Turkey Reprod. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 6. Scott, M. L. 1987. Nutrition of the Turkey. M. L. Scott, Ithaca, NY. 7. Spears, J. W. 1996. Organic trace minerals in ruminant nutrition. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 58:151–163.

14. CalKey, Chelated Minerals Corporation, Salt Lake City, UT. 15. SAS Institute. 1992. SAS User’s Guide. Version 6.08. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC. 16. Grimes, J. L., J. F. Ort, V. L. Christensen, and H. R. Ball, Jr. 1989. Effect of different protein levels fed during the prebreeder period on performance of turkey breeder hens. Poult. Sci. 68:1436–1441. 17. Grimes, J. L., J. F. Ort, and V. L. Christensen. 1994. The effect of protein level fed during the prebreeder period on performance of Large White turkey breeder hens after an induced molt. Poult. Sci. 73:37–44. 18. Van Krey, H. P., A. T. Leighton, Jr., and D. D. Moyer. 1967. Force molting of turkeys to obtain a second season of egg production. Poult. Sci. 46:1331–1332. 19. Leighton, A. T., Jr., H. P. Van Krey, D. D. Moyer, and L. M. Potter. 1971. Reproductive performance of force-molted turkey breeder hens. Poult. Sci. 50:119–126. 20. Crouch, A. N. personal communication. British United Turkeys of America, Lewisburg, WV.

8. Ashmed, H. D., D. J. Graf, and H. H. Ashmed. 1985. Intestinal Absorption of Metal Ions and Chelates. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL.

21. Krueger, K. K. 1997. Strategies for using new technology to measure individual parent stock turkey breeder hen reproductive performance. Pages 17–28 in Proc. 4th Int. Symp. Turkey Reprod. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

9. Schiavon, S., L. Bailoni, M. Ramanzin, R. Vincenzi, A. Simonetto, and G. Bittante. 2000. Effect of proteinate or sulphate mineral sources on trace mineral elements in blood and liver of piglets. J. Br. Anim. Sci. 71:131–139.

22. Heany, R. P., R. R. Recker, and C. M. Weaver. 1990. Absorbability of calcium sources: The limited role of solubility. Calcif. Tissue Int. 46:300–304.

10. Thompson, J. K., and V. R. Fowler. 1990. The evaluation of minerals in the diets of farm animals. Pages 235–259 in Feedstuff Evaluation. J. Wiseman and D. J. A. Cole, ed. Butterworths, London. 11. Cao, J., P. R. Henry, R. Guo, R. A. Holwerda, J. P. Toth, R. C. Littell, R. D. Miles, and C. B. Ammerman. 2000. Chemical characteristics and relative bioavailability of supplemental organic zinc sources for poultry and ruminants. J. Anim. Sci. 78:2039–2054. 12. Cao, J., P. R. Henry, S. R. Davis, R. J. Cousins, R. D. Miles, R. C. Littell, and C. B. Ammerman. 2002. Relative bioavailability of organic zinc sources based on tissue zinc and metalothionein in chicks fed conventional dietary zinc concentrations. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 101:161–170. 13. Mohanna, C., and Y. Nys. 1999. Effect of dietary zinc and sources on the growth, body zinc deposition and retention, zinc excretion and immune response in chickens. Br. Poult. Sci. 40:108–114.

23. Henry, M. H., and G. M. Pesti. 2002. An investigation of calcium citrate-malate as a calcium source for young broiler chicks. Poult. Sci. 81:1149–1155. 24. Andon, M. A., M. Peacock, R. L. Kanerva, and J. A. S. De Castro. 1996. Calcium absorption from apple and orange juice fortified with calcium citrate-malate (CCM). J. Am. Col. Nutr. 15:313–316. 25. Smith, K. T., R. P. Heaney, L. Flora, and S. M. Hinders. 1987. Calcium absorption from a new calcium delivery system. Calcif. Tissue Int. 41:351–352. 26. Roland, D. A., Sr., and R. H. Harms. 1973. Calcium metabolism in the laying hen. 5. Effect of various sources and sizes of calcium carbonate on shell quality. Poult. Sci. 52:369–372. 27. Cheng, T. K., R. L. Jevne, and C. Coon. 1991. Calcium nutrition studies with layers. Pages 272–278 in 52nd Minnesota Nutr. Conf., Bloomington, MN.

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015

REFERENCES AND NOTES

GRIMES ET AL.: CHELATED CALCIUM PROTEINATE 28. Kidd, M. T., N. B. Anthony, and S. R. Lee. 1992. Progeny performance when dams and chicks are fed supplemental zinc. Poult. Sci. 71:1201–1206. 29. Kidd, M. T., N. B. Anthony, L. A. Newberry, and S. R. Lee. 1993. Effect of supplemental zinc in either a corn-soybean or a milo and corn-soybean meal diet on the performance of young broiler breeders and their progeny. Poult. Sci. 72:1492–1499. 30. Mirando, M. A., D. N. Peters, C. E. Hostetler, W. C. Becker, S. S. Whiteaker, and R. E. Rompala. 1993. Dietary supplementation

649

of proteinated trace minerals influences reproductive performance of sows. J. Anim. Sci. 71(Suppl. 1):180. (Abstr.) 31. Tiffany, M. E., J. W. Spears, and K. E. Lloyd. 2001. Influence of dietary phosphorus and trace mineral chelates on growth and reproduction in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 79(Suppl. 1):13. (Abstr.) 32. Neathery, N. W., S. Rachmat, W. J. Miller, R. P. Gentry, and D. M. Blackmon. 1972. Effect of chemical form of orally administered 65Zn on absorption and metabolism in cattle. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 139:953.

Downloaded from http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/ at NERL on May 21, 2015