Eggshell Powder as a Sustainable Calcium Supplement: Enhancing Turkey Egg Production, Shell Quality, and Hatchability in Bangladesh

Syed Sarwar Jahan ¹, Md Zahirul Islam ¹, Shuvrodeb Sarkar ¹, Jafor Raihan ¹, Md Sumon Ali ¹, and Md Shariful Islam ¹*

This study determined eggshell powder as a sustainable calcium supplement, improving egg production and hatchability while addressing environmental concerns.

Abstract

Background: Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) production is a burgeoning sector of poultry farming with significant potential for meat and egg production. Despite the high demand for poultry products in Bangladesh, turkey farming remains underexplored. Calcium (Ca) is a critical nutrient in turkey nutrition, playing vital roles in bone formation, eggshell quality, and overall egg production. Eggshells, a waste product, offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to traditional Ca sources like limestone. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of eggshell supplementation on the egg production performance, egg quality, and fertility of laying turkeys, while addressing environmental waste concerns. Methods: A total of 40 laying turkeys, aged 25 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups with two replicates each. The experimental groups were fed: a control diet (T0) without Ca supplementation, 4% dietary Ca from limestone (T1), 2% Ca from limestone and 2% Ca from eggshell (T2), and 4% Ca from eggshell (T3). Eggshells were processed into fine powder, sterilized, and incorporated into the diet. Egg production, egg weight, eggshell weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, eggshell thickness, fertility, and hatchability were recorded over 15 weeks. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA within a completely randomized design. Results: Egg production was significantly higher (p<0.01) in T2 (82.8%), followed by T3 (79.9%), T1 (72.7%), and T0 (71.0%). Average egg weight was highest in T3 (67.29 g) but showed no significant differences across groups. Eggshell weight and thickness were highest in T3 (9.5 g and 0.67 mm, respectively), though the differences were statistically insignificant. Albumen and yolk weights were significantly improved in T3, with yolk weight reaching 25.6 g. Fertility and hatchability percentages were highest in T3 (86.1% and 83.3%, respectively) and showed significant differences (p<0.01) among groups. Conclusion: Supplementing turkey diets with eggshell as an alternative Ca source improves egg production, egg quality, and reproductive performance, with the combined supplementation (T2) offering optimal results.

Keywords: Turkey production, Eggshell calcium, Sustainable poultry feed, Eggshell recycling, Hatchability

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