Effect of Different Dietary Energy Levels in the Rearing Periods on Performance and Productive Traits of Laying Hens During the Laying Cycle (19-28 weeks)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

University of Tehran

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different dietary energy levels in the rearing period on performance and productive traits of layer hens during the laying cycle. 196-day-old layer chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatments (2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900 and 3000 Kcal ME/kg), with 4 replicates of 7 birds each. The treatment containing 2800 Kcal ME/kg was considered as the control group. Results showed that feeding different dietary energy levels had no effect on feed intake and weight gain (P>0.05). Even though, feed to egg ratio was increased by reduction of dietary energy levels, decreasing energy levels up to 2400 Kcal ME/kg had no significant effect as compared to control group (P>0.05). Feed intake per dozen eggs and egg number per hen were not affected by reducing energy level up to 2500 Kcal ME/kg, as compared to control group (P>0.05). In addition, diluting the dietary energy up to 2600 and 2700 Kcal ME/kg had no effect on egg production and time of laying commencement, respectively (P>0.05). In conclusion, feeding the treatment containing 3000 Kcal ME/kg, not only improved performance and productive traits, but also increased the average weight of each egg when compared to other treatments (P<0.05). Furthermore, this energy level led to a decreased feed cost per each kilogram of egg (7.25%). Thereupon, it is suggested to apply this energy level in the rearing periods to obtain a desirable performance.

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References

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Animal Sciences Journal
Volume 29, Issue 112
December 2016
Pages 175-186

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