Wheat Middlings as an Alternate Feedstuff for Laying Hens

Abstract

Four experiments using 320 Single Comb White Leghorn hens per experiment were conducted to evaluate hen performance and egg quality when high levels of wheat middlings (WM) were incorporated into the diet. In the first experiment, hens were fed diets containing 91% WM in either the mash or pellet form, with or without a cellulase enzyme added. Birds showed a drastic drop in egg production during Periods 5, 6, and 7 (28-day periods) following a production peak of greater than 76% in the 2nd period. Feed consumption was excessive and feed utilization was poor. Pelleting of the diet had an adverse effect on hen livability, whereas hens fed the mash diet were normal. Pellet processing or enzyme additions to the basal diet had no consistent effect that would suggest improved hen performance.In a second experiment, diets contained 89, 43, or 20% WM. Birds fed 89% WM laid fewer eggs, had reduced livability, consumed excessive amounts of feed, and utilized feed more poorly than controls fed corn, soybean meal, and alfalfa meal (CSA). Haugh units (HU) were increased and yolk color was decreased with greater amounts of WM in the diet; results suggest that egg HU may be improved by a reduced rate of lay.In a third experiment, diets contained 43% WM with and without 5% white grease, and 20% WM plus 5% grease. Overall, diet had no effect on production, but hens fed 43% WM without grease ate more feed per day and consumed more feed per dozen eggs produced than controls fed CSA as would be expected. The HU were elevated and yolk color was reduced when the diets contained WM. In a fourth experiment, a 25% WM diet was compared with other conventional diets; production, feed per day, and feed per dozen eggs were similar on all diets. In conclusion, it appears WM can serve as a viable alternative to corn in layer diets when included to at least the 43% level.