Performance of Leghorn Hens Induced to Molt by Limited Feeding of Diets Varying in Nutrient Density

Abstract

The effects of diet type and of the periodicity of limited feeding used to induce molt in 78-wk-old Leghorn hens on postmolt performance were evaluated. The experimental design was a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments, plus a fasted control. Either ground corn, a 22% protein starter, or a 15% protein layer mash diets were available ad libitum for 6 h on the 3rd, 4th, or 5th recurring days; approximately 30% BW reduction was attained after 23, 20, and 17 days, respectively, of limited feeding. A pullet developer feed was then full fed until the end of the 35-day molt period. Records of lay performance during the 35-day, molt-inducing period and for the following seven, 28-day periods were kept. Many significant (P≤.05) treatment effects and interactions were observed during the 35-day, molt inducing period. However, when these data were integrated with the following seven periods of data, no significant (P>.05) treatment difference or main effect interaction was observed for egg production, egg weight, feed per hen per day, Haugh units, shell weight, shell weight per unit surface area, or mortality. The results demonstrate that neither the diet fed during limited feeding nor the period of limited time feeding used to induce molt in the present experiment was of long-term importance. Further, the results demonstrate that molt induced by limited feeding is an acceptable alternative to continuous fasting.