Effects of varying levels of magnesium and available phosphorus on performance of layers

The effects of dietary magnesium (2.00, 4.00 and 6.00 g kg−1) and available phosphorus (2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 g kg−1) in layer diets was investigated. All experimental diets contained 160 g kg−1 CP, 11.3 MJ kg−1 ME and 41.2 g kg−1 calcium. Magnesium and phosphorus were supplemented from MgO and dicalcium phosphate, respectively. Increasing magnesium or available phosphorus had no significant effect on egg production, eggshell weight or eggshell thickness. Feed consumption and egg weight were influenced significantly (P<0.05). Maximum egg weight was observed with 2.5 g kg−1 available phosphorus and 4.00 g kg−1 of magnesium in the diet but 4.5 g kg−1 available phosphorus with 2.00 g kg−1 of magnesium significantly (P<0.05) reduced feed consumption.