Sunflower meal as a protein concentrate for laying hens

Abstract

In two experiments, each involving 200 pullets, sunflower meal as a protein concentrate was compared with high quality fish meal, at two levels of protein intake. Since production was not reduced by the low protein intakes, it was concluded that the quality of the protein in sunflower meal was satisfactory for egg production. When 25% of sunflower meal was included in the mash, the consumption of mash was not reduced but the birds appeared to be unable to maintain high egg production and to maintain body weight at the same time. From this it was concluded that such percentages of sunflower meal gave an undesirably high fibre content and too low an energy value to the diet.