The effect of calcium source on the performance and egg-shell quality of 96 white-egg layers hens, Lohmann LSL, allotted, at 72 weeks of age, to a density of two layers/pen, were evaluated during and after a forced molt (FM) for 12 days. A completely experimental randomized, with four treatments, each with four replicates of six layers, was used. The treatments were: 1 - positive control, with ad libitum diet during all experimental phases; 2 - FM with no calcium source; 3 - FM with ad libitum dicalcium phosphate; and, 4 - FM with ad libitum calcium carbonate. During the second cycle of production, the birds were full fed commercial diet and water. Egg production in the first three days during the FM and five periods of 30 days of second cycle were evaluated. During FM, the use of calcium carbonate improved the eggshell weight and eggshell percentage than the use of dicalcium phosphate and the treatment of FM without calcium source. In the subsequent period of FM, the use of calcium carbonate showed better egg production than the use of dicalcium phosphate and the control. These results suggest that the use of calcium carbonate during the forced molt was more indicated than the use of dicalcium phosphate and the fast forced conventional practice, by the diet withdraw.
calcium source; egg production; marketable eggs
