Productive performance of laying hens as influenced by feed restriction

Abstract EN

The effect of restricting feed on productive performance of laying hens raised in batteries was investigated in 768 Hy-Line laying hens, 50 weeks old.

The experiment included three restricted feeding levels, 100, 90 and 80g/hen/day compared with the control level (110g/hen/day).

Hens were randomly divided into four equal groups of 192 hens each.

Each group was subdivided into 3 replicates with 64 hens each.

Water was supplied ad libitum.

Layers (1798±18g) were housed in wire floor batteries where feed, eggs and mortality were recorded.

Body weights were determined at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period (6 months).

Results obtained showed that hen-day egg production rate of hens fed the control level achieved a significantly (P<0.05) higher value as compared to other restricted dietary levels.

Average egg weights of hens did not significantly differ among groups.

Egg mass (kg eggs/hen) decreased significantly (P<0.05) with decreased feed intake which was significant for 90g and 80g/hen/day groups.

There was no significant difference between control (110g/hen/day) and 100g/hen groups.

It is worthy to note that feed/eggs ratio decreased with increasing restriction levels.

Restricting feed to 80g/hen/day significantly (P<0.05) reduced abdominal fat percent.

Percentages of egg -shell and thickness increased with feed restriction.

Restricting feed for laying hens resulted in decreasing body weight.

The reduction in body weight was 12.0, 14.2 and 15.5% for 100, 90 and 80g/hen/day groups as compared to 10.4% for ad libitum feeding group (control).

The best economical efficiency value was obtained with hens fed 80g/hen/day, and the least was for ad libitum fed group.

These results indicated that restricting feed for laying hens to 80g/hen improved feed/eggs ratio and thickness of eggshell.

From an economical point of view, restricting layer diets was more profitable than ad libitum feeding.

It is recommended to restrict offered feed to 80g/day/hen to obtain a better feed/eggs ratio.