ISSUE FOCUS 72 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2026 Modern egg production is increasingly focused on the goal of a 100-week laying period and 500 eggs per hen, while maintaining consistent eggshell quality. As hens age, calcium metabolism and shell formation become critical limiting factors for productivity and profitability. Activated vitamin D supports efficient calcium absorption and mobilization, helping sustain eggshell strength and laying performance throughout extended laying cycles. MORE EGGS, STRONGER SHELLS: THE ROLE OF ACTIVATED VITAMIN D Commercial egg producers are striving to produce more eggs with adequate eggshell quality within one laying period of their hens. Some poultry farmers already achieve the target of 500 eggs in 100 weeks by adjusting breeds, management and nutrition. These are great examples of how modern hens can achieve performance goals unimaginable only 10-20 years ago. Active D Product Manager Murat Devlikamov explains: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN TERMS OF EXTENDED LAYING TIME? Modern laying hens are truly high-performance animals that lay an egg almost every day. However, the eggs need to have a proper eggshell in order to be marketable; if this is not the case, economic losses are inevitable. The eggshell requires calcium, which is mobilized from the feed and bones. The weight of the eggshell By Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH Photo: Manop Boonpeng | Shutterstock
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