Abstract
Three replicate trials were conducted to test the possibility that high mortality of non-specific origin being encountered in a genetic control strain of meat-type laying hens might be due to excessive energy intake. In each trial, the medium energy laying ration on which this strain of birds has been maintained for a number of years was compared with the same ration diluted with 20 per cent pulverized oat hulls, for a period in excess of 330 days.Mortality was not influenced by the energy content of the ration, nor was rate of egg production. The low energy ration reduced final body weight by only 0.1 to 0.2 pounds, suggesting that the birds on the control diet were not unduly fat. Comparison of these results with others reported in the literature leads to the speculation that mortality due to obesity may be a problem only in heavier and faster-growing strains than the strain used in this study.
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