Performance of Red × Rock Sex-Linked Hens Subjected to Restricted Feeding During the Laying Period

Abstract

Two trials were conducted to compare the influence of various levels of feed during the laying period on the performance of the layers. Four feeding levels were utilized in each trial. One group served as the full-fed control and the other three groups were limited to 95, 90 or 85 percent of the amount consumed by the control group the previous week. The restricted feeding treatments were initiated at 22 and 32 weeks of age in Trials 1 and 2, respectively. At 22 weeks the birds were just beginning to lay while at 32 weeks they had reached peak production.A linear and significant decrease in egg production occurred with the feed restriction practiced, but the reduced feed consumption of the groups was sufficient to compensate for the reduced egg production since the feed efficiency of these groups was numerically superior in Trial 1 and significantly superior to the full-fed group in the second trial.The feed restriction utilized in this study reduced average body and egg weights, but treatment differences were not detected in shell thickness or Haugh units.