High-fiber diets with reduced crude protein for commercial layers

MFFM Praes,KF Duarte,CHF Domingues,S Sgavioli,RS Filardi,AA Pereira,OM Junqueira,JCR Alva

doi:10.1590/1516-635x160243-50

MFFM Praes, KF Duarte + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-635x160243-50

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Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating diets containing different fiber sources and two crude protein levels on the performance, egg quality, and nitrogen metabolism of commercial layers. In total, 392 48-wk-old Isa Brown layers were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design in a 3x2+1 (control) factorial arrangement, resulting in seven treatments with seven replicates of eight birds each. Treatments consisted of three fiber feedstuffs (cottonseed hulls, soybean hulls, and rice hulls) and two dietary crude protein levels (12% and 16%). Cottonseed hulls associated with the high crude protein level (16%) resulted in the worst feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs. Diets with 16% crude protein resulted in the highest feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass values, and improved feed conversion ratio (kg eggs/kg feed). The dietary inclusion of soybean hulls determined low yolk pigmentation, and of rice hulls, low egg specific gravity. The 16% crude protein diet with rice hulls promoted the best feed conversion ratio. Hens fed the reference diet presented higher egg mass and better feed conversion ratio per kg eggs and per dozen eggs. Hens fed the diets with low crude protein level (12%) had reduced nitrogen excretion, but presented worse egg production.

Highlights

The use of crop byproducts in animal feeding brings added value to these products and reduces their environmental pollution potential, and, in addition, may be an alternative for the partial replacement of corn and soybean meal in non-ruminant diets
The analyses of the performance data showed the effect of the interaction (p
The details of the interaction demonstrate that, within crude protein levels, this effect was significant only for the 16% CP diet, with the diet containing cottonseed hulls resulting in worse feed conversion ratio compared with the other fiber sources

Summary

Introduction

The use of crop byproducts in animal feeding brings added value to these products and reduces their environmental pollution potential, and, in addition, may be an alternative for the partial replacement of corn and soybean meal in non-ruminant diets. Hulls from different crops are widely available, but are seldom used in poultry feeds. When adding these fiber-rich ingredients to non-ruminant feeds, the nutritional and physiological effects of fibers must be considered. Due to the increasing concern with the impacts of egg production on the environment, nutritionists need to face the challenge of formulating diets with alternative feedstuffs and reduced protein levels, thereby contributing to reduce nitrogen excretion while maintaining layer performance. Increasing the efficiency of the utilization of dietary protein and amino acids may allow adequate supply of poultry nutritional requirements, regulate egg production, and reduce environmental pollution by lowering nitrogen excretion as well as production costs

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