Effect of Iodinated Casein in a Simplified Oat Diet on Hatchability of Chicken Eggs

Abstract

A previous report (Arscott and Combs, 1953) revealed that condensed fish solubles contain a factor necessary for normal hatchability in New Hampshire pullets fed a corn-wheat-soybean meal type ration containing adequate levels of known required nutrients. In an attempt to increase the severity of the dietary deficiency, an experimental diet, containing 93.5% oat groats, was used in this investigation. This diet (Table 1), fortified with added vitamins, minerals and dl-methionine, was expected to be quite deficient in the unidentified factor(s) normally found in animal products.Approximately 200 New Hampshire pullets were housed in pens equipped with raised wire floors. These pullets were fed a corn-wheat-soybean meal ration for the first half of a 12-week preliminary period, after which time the basal diet shown in Table 1 was used. On the basis of individual hatchability, fertility and egg production records obtained during the first half of this preliminary period, four comparable …