Effect of Gamma Irradiating Rye or Supplementing a Rye-Containing Layer Diet with Penicillin or Pectic Enzymes on Egg Production

Abstract

The effects of gamma irradiating rye or supplementing a rye-containing layer diet with penicillin or the pectic enzyme (Irgazyme 100) were studied. Two experiments, one with 31-week-old and the other with 29-week-old White Leghorn hens were conducted. Each experimental diet was fed to four groups of hens in Experiment 1 and to five groups of hens in Experiment 2. Each group consisted of 15 individually caged hens.Substituting rye for corn in the control diet significantly depressed egg production. Addition of penicillin did not prevent the drop. Gamma irradiation of the rye at 6.2 Mrad significantly increased egg production to a level where it was not different from that of hens fed the corn control diet. Irradiation of rye did not affect egg weight significantly. Addition of the pectic enzyme significantly increased egg production of hens fed the rye diet for the first 3 weeks but by the end of week 8, the improvement by the pectic enzyme was not significant. Feed consumption was not affected by gamma irradiation or penicillin supplementation of rye.