An evaluation of low-energy feedstuffs in diets for laying hens

Abstract

Rice bran (RB), alfalfa meal (AM), wheat bran (WB) and maize gluten feed (MGF) were used in layer diets containing 2500, 2600, 2700 and 2800 keal metabolizable energy kg −1 (10.46, 10.88, 11.30 and 11.72 MJ kg −1), and compared with diets based on maize and soya-bean meal (MS). Each diet was given to eight replicates of five individually caged hens, following a forced molt. Layer performance was influenced more by the source of low-energy feed than by dietary energy levels per se. Hen-day production, egg weight, feed intake, feed per dozen eggs and weight gains for AM, RB or WB diets were similar to that for MS control diets with equivalent energy content. Egg production was similar for hens fed on a low ME level of 2600 keal kg −1 with these feedstuffs and hens given higher energy diets. Increasing MGF levels significantly reduced layer performance. It appears that layer performance on the lower ME diets is highly dependent on the type of feed by-product used.