Relationship of dietary calcium level during the prelay phase of an induced molt to postmolt performance.

Leghorn laying hens were induced to molt by a combination of photoperiod reduction and fasting for 14 days, during which time the hens lost 31.5% of their initial body weight. The hens were then assigned to one of four diets containing 1.0, 1.75, 2.5, or 3.5% calcium until egg production resumed. The 3.5% calcium diet was fed to all treatments from the resumption of 5% egg production. Postmolt egg production and feed conversion were not affected significantly. Egg weight, shell weight, and egg specific gravity were not affected consistently. It was concluded that high dietary calcium levels immediately postfast have no adverse effect on postmolt performance.