Strain Pullets Research Articles

Balancing act: Studying the effect of perch space allowance on welfare in Canadian laying strain pullets raised in floor pens with access to a single-tier perch system to 18 wk of age

The rearing environment for pullets should mirror their later production environment as closely as possible. However, existing perch space recommendations are based on data for laying hens rather than pullets. This study explores the impact of perch space allowances on the welfare of Canadian laying strain pullets raised to 18 wk. Two trials were conducted with 1,032 Lohmann Brown-Lite (LB) and LSL-Lite (LW) pullets each. A randomized complete block (trial) design was used with a 4 (perch space) × 2 (strain) factorial arrangement. Birds were raised in 16 floor pens (3 × 3 m each; 897.67 cm2 per bird). Wooden perches were provided from d 1, allowing 6, 9, 12, or 15 cm perch space per pullet. Data were tested for normality, and log+1 transformed if necessary. Significance was declared at P≤0.05. Data were collected for basic health and functioning (body weight, mortality, pullet width, keel bone damage, and tibia bone parameters), affective states (comb damage, heterophil-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratios, and behavior), and natural living (perch usage and jumping success). Perch space did not affect mortality, keel bone damage, tibia breaking strength, comb damage, or H/L ratios. At 16 and 18 wk, LB body weight slightly increased while the LW body weight decreased with increasing perch space (P=0.05 and 0.02). At 3 wk, pullets spent a higher percentage of time wing flapping on the perch when provided 15 cm compared to 6 cm (P=0.04). During the scotoperiod at 18 wk, a higher percentage of birds perched with 12 and 15 cm perch space than 6 cm (P<0.01). Pullet width at 18 wk was 12.52 cm (sitting) and 11.66 cm (standing) for the LB and 13.85 cm (sitting) and 12.94 cm (standing) for the LW. Overall, perch space allowance had minor effects on the measured welfare indicators. Based on pullet width, a minimum of 12.5 cm for LW and 13.9 cm for LB pullets should be provided to allow all pullets to sit on the perch simultaneously.

Heat balance, haematology and serum chemistry of layers under varying stocking density reared in locally fabricated metal-type cage system

One hundred and thirty five 18weeks old Bovans Nera Black strain pullets were used in a 10week study to determine their heat balance and blood profile under varying stocking density in locally fabricated metal-type cage system. The cages were stocked 2, 3 and 4birds/cell. Daily ambient temperature and relative humidity of the cage and rectal temperature of the birds were taken and heat balance calculated. Record of Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Red blood cell (RBC), White blood count (WBC) and differential of the birds were taken at beginning and end of the study for the haematological indices while blood glucose, total protein, Albumin and blood urea were taken for the bio-chemical measurements. Ambient temperature, relative humidity, and heat balance showed no significant (P&gt;0.05) difference with cage stocking density. Cage stocking density had significant (P&lt;0.05) effect on rectal temperature of layers. Bird stocked 3/cell recorded the least (41.14oC) rectal temperature while those stocked 4/cell recorded the highest (41.27oC). All the haematological parameters of the birds were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) influenced by stocking density of the cage type. Bio-chemical measurements were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) different among layers under varying stocking density of the cage except total protein (P&lt;0.05). Layers stocked 4/cell recorded highest (5.22g/dl) total protein while those stocked 3/cell had the least value (4.37g/dl). However, the values were within the normal range recommended for healthy chicken. The study concluded that locally fabricated metal-type battery cage could be used to rear layers and stocking density of 3birds/cell is ideal without compromising the welfare of the birds.

Influence of sunflower meal utilisation on growth performance and digestive tract traits of white strain pullets fed from 29 to 112 d of age

ABSTRACT 1. A trial was conducted to study the effects of partial replacement of sunflower meal (SFM) for soybean meal (SBM) on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract traits (GIT) in pullets. 2. A total of 600 pullets (29 d of age) was randomly assigned to three dietary treatments and fed for 84 d. The birds were fed a practical diet with a low level of crude fibre (CF; LF) or test diets containing a medium or high level of CF (MF and HF) by partial (50% to 75%) replacement of SBM with SFM. Accordingly, the grower diets contained 29, 40 and 51 g CF/kg, which corresponded to 31, 45 and 59 g CF/kg in developer diets. Each dietary treatment was replicated 8 times (25 pullets per replicate). 3. Body weight did not differ significantly among treatments at d 29, 84 and 112 d but increased (P < 0.05) with SFM supplementation at d 54. From 29 to 112 d of age, daily feed and energy intake linearly increased (P < 0.01) with SFM supplementation, but body weight gain and feed conversion ratios were comparable amongst the groups. 4. Digestive organ size was not affected by the dietary treatments, but gizzard weight increased in pullets fed MF and HF diets (P < 0.01). Digesta pH in the gizzard, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were reduced linearly (P < 0.01) with SFM supplementation, while a quadratic response was observed for proventriculus pH (P < 0.05). 5. Small intestine morphology traits improved with a moderate level of CF intake, whereas no benefit was observed with a high level of CF consumption. 6. The results showed that use of SFM up to 140 g/kg can be recommended for pullets fed diets based on corn and soybean meal. However, smaller intestinal absorptive capacity with higher SFM supplementation may occur.

Pengaruh Pemanfaatan Rumput Laut Gracilaria Edulis dalam Pakan terhadap Kinerja Ayam Fase Pullet (The Influence of Seaweed Gracilaria Edulis in the Diets on the Performance of Pullet)

&lt;p&gt;The research was conducted to analyze the effect of seaweed Gracilaria edulis in the diets on the performance of pullet. One hundred and twenty six Lohmann Brown Strain pullets of 14 weeks old were divided into seven seaweed diet treatments. The treatment diets were R0, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 contentaining 0.00; 2.50; 5.00; 7.50; 10.00; 12.50 and 15.00 of seaweed, there was three replications, six pullets of each. The collected data were feed consumption, weights and ages of sexual maturity, feed conversion ratio, weight of egg and Iodine content in the egg. The collected data were analyzed by analysis of variance of one way classification, followed by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that the treatments had not significant differences on feed consumption, body weight at sexual matuarity, feed conversion ratio, but significans (P&amp;lt;0.05) on ages at sexual matuarity and egg yolk color (P&amp;lt;0.01). Feed consumption were 80.94 g/chicken/day; 81.02 g/chicken/day; 80.95 g/chicken/day; 81.43 g/chicken/day; 81.69 g/chicken/day; 82.25 g/chicken/day and 82.72 g/chicken/day, body weight at sexual matuarity&lt;br /&gt;1898.56 g; 1977.78 g; 1947.78 g; 1947.78 g; 1949.78 g; 1981.67 g; 1949.44 g, FCR 5.78; 5.35; 5.45; 5.08; 5.57; 5.86 and 6.25, egg yolk color 10.23; 11.27; 11. 83; 12.11; 12.44; 12.44 and 12.83 for R0, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 &lt;br /&gt;respectively. Egg weights were 51.25 g; 54.50 g; 50.89 g; 51.66 g; 51.36 g; 51.36 g and 50.83 g, for R0, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 repectively. There had not significant differences on content of egg yolk iodine were 0.47 ppm; 0.48&lt;br /&gt;ppm; 0.50 ppm; 0.52 ppm; 0.55 ppm; 0.56 ppm and 0.60 ppm. It was concluded that the use of seaweed Gracilaria edulis until 15.00% in the diet did not decrease the performance of pullet phase and increased egg yolk color, also did not increase iodine in the yolk.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Key words: Seaweed Gracilaria edulis, Diets, Chicken’s work, Pullet phase)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Light intensity and age at first egg in pullets

Layer strain pullets were reared on litter and given an 8-h photoperiod to 10 wk of age. They were then transferred to cages in which light intensity at the feed trough varied from 5 to 14 lx. Thirty birds continued on 8 h light (L):16 h dark (D) (negative controls), and another 30 birds were given 14L:10D (positive controls). Two other groups of 30 birds were given a regimen of 3 dim:8 L:3 dim:10 D with intensity during the dim phase ranging from 0.03 to 0.42 lx (very dim) or from 0.6 to 3.0 lx (marginal). Mean age at first egg (AFE) differed by 30 d between the positive and negative controls. Birds receiving very dim lighting matured 10 d earlier than the negative controls but 20 d later than positive controls. It is concluded that either the very dim light was itself nonstimulatory but had a phase shifting effect upon the biological clock that caused the 8-h normal light to fall partly in the photoinducible phase, or the first 3 h of very dim light was added to the bright phase to form an 11-h photoperiod. Birds in the top tier of the room with marginal supplementary lighting received 1.7 to 3.0 lx and matured at the same age as the positive controls, whereas those in the bottom tier received 0.6 to 0.9 lx and matured at the same age as the negative controls. Birds in the middle tier showed an intermediate AFE. It is concluded that the threshold intensity at the feed trough for white light stimulation of the photoperiodic mechanism in caged pullets lies between 0.9 and 1.7 lx. However, very dim lighting, below the threshold required for stimulation of a photoperiodic response, may shift the biological clock with unexpected consequences and, as a result, there is no known intensity of dim light that can be equated with darkness for all purposes.

Growth Response of Immature Brown-Egg Strain Pullets to Varying Nutrient Density and Lysine

Three trials were conducted to quantify growth of brown-egg strain pullets up to 126 days of age when fed diets of varying energy, protein, or lysine concentration. Birds were grown in 60 × 50 cm cages with 12 birds per cage (0 to 42 days) or six birds per cage (42 to 126 days). Trial 1, using eight replicates per treatment, involved conventional pullet diets or diets formulated to meet methionine and lysine needs only, with no constraint on crude protein formulated at two energy levels. Both white-egg and brown-egg strains were smaller (P < .01) when fed diets formulated to only methionine and lysine requirements. When high-energy diets were used, white-egg but not brown-egg pullets exhibited comparable growth depression (P < .01) in response to amino acid intake.In Trial 2, brown-egg pullets were fed diets varying in energy (2,500 or 3,000 kcal ME/kg) and crude protein (15 to 21.5%). Four dietary treatments were each tested with seven replicate groups of 12 caged pullets. Results confirm the apparent refractory feed intake response of the brown-egg bird to varying diet energy density. Only during the 84- to 126-day grower period did birds behave in the classical manner of eating less feed (P < .01) when offered higher-energy diets. Trial 3 involved growth response to graded levels of dietary lysine. Pullets fed .68 to .98% lysine showed maximal weight gain to 42 days, whereas after 84 days, diet lysine from .38 to .86% had no effect on growth. It was concluded that the brown-egg pullet is less refractory than the Leghorn pullet in terms of adjusting feed intake to dietary energy concentration.

Feed Consumption of Egg Strain Pullets at Onset of Lay

An experiment was conducted to investigate the performance of four strains of commercial egg type pullets (A, B, C, and D) from 19 to 30 wk of age. The feed consumption differences during this period as well as feed consumption patterns 10 days prior to and after the first oviposition were of special interest. Two hundred and sixty-four birds (66 birds per strain) were fed a diet formulated to contain 2,750 kcal/kg ME, 17% CP, and 3.4% calcium.Results show that the average age to the first egg and percentage of hen-day egg production were not significantly different among the four strains of birds. However, egg weights of Strain A and C birds were significantly heavier than those of the Strain B and D birds. The birds from Strains B and D had significantly lower body weight than Strain A birds at the end of 18 wk, but body weights were not significantly different at the end of 30 wk.Feed intake per bird per day of pullets from Strains A and C was generally higher than that of those from Strains B and D in the first and second 4-wk period. Some of the consumption differences were significant. Feed intake in the third period (27 to 30 wk) was similar for the four strains of birds. Although different strains showed different feed consumption patterns around the first oviposition, all strains showed a drop on the day of the first oviposition. When the strains were combined, feed consumption was lower on that day than during the 8 days prior to the first oviposition.

The Effect of Food Restriction During Rearing on Fasting Heat Production of Layer Strain Pullets and Hens

Fasting heat production was measured in darkened respiration chambers at three chronological and three physiological ages during rearing and laying in a layer strain to determine the effects of food restriction during rearing.There were three rearing treatments (42 to 162 days of age) in which birds were allowed ad libitum food intake (F) or were restricted by time (TR), in which birds were allowed continuous ad libitum food intake for about 24 hr in every 72 hr, or by proportion (PR), in which birds were offered each day 60 to 70% of the quantity consumed by F birds the previous day. Liveweight at 163 days of age was reduced by 19 and 15% for TR and PR birds, respectively, compared to F birds. Ad libitum food consumption was allowed during the laying period.Chronological age measurements were carried out at 140 days of age (prelay), 332 days of age, and 370 days of age. Physiological age measurements were carried out at sexual maturity (first egg), peak production (28 days after first egg) and postpeak production (98 days after first egg).Fasting heat production, measured under conditions that minimized physical activity, was not altered after correction for liveweight changes by the food restriction treatments. Based on this and other published studies, it was postulated that physical activity may play an important role in determining the effects of food restriction in poultry.

Evaluation of Egg-Laying Strains of Chickens in Different Housing Environments: Role of Genotype by Environment Interactions ,

Relative performance levels were compared for White Leghorn pullets of a selected and an unselected control strain in different laying-house environments in each of two experiments. Experiment 1 involved single-bird cages, separated-strain flocks in floor pens, and intermingled-strain flocks in floor pens. In addition, Experiment 2 included a three-bird cage environment. Genotype by environment interactions were detected in Experiment 1 for egg and body weights and in Experiment 2 for rate of lay after sexual maturity, livability, egg weight, hen-housed rate of lay, egg mass, body weight, and body weight gain. Although fewer genotype by environment interactions were found in Experiment 1, there was a distinct tendency for the strains to differ (or fail to differ) in similar ways in each of the three environments compared in the two experiments.Pullets of the more aggressive and socially dominant selected strain were generally superior in performance to unselected strain pullets when they were intermingled in floor pens, but those differences tended to disappear when pullets of the two strains were kept in separated-strain flocks. These results are taken as indirect evidence supporting the conclusion that differences in stress associated with the social environment may contribute to genotype by housing environment interactions for performance traits.Selected strain pullets generally were superior to unselected strain pullets when kept in cages with unlimited feed available. Unselected strain pullets put on excessive weight in cages as indicated by both linear and curvilinear regression analyses; the lighter the pullets were in body weight the greater the number of eggs laid after 40 weeks old. However, under the same conditions, selected strain pullets were, on the average, near optimal body weight for maximum egg production during the latter part of the laying year.

Studies on Snail Meal as a Protein Source for Chickens: 2. Feeding Value for Laying Hens

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of graded levels of snail meal (Acbatina fulica) on egg production and egg quality characteristics in laying hens. In both experiments, each diet was offered to four replicate groups of 12 individually caged commercial strain pullets (Shaver Starcross 288) for 84 days. Snail meal was included at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 22.6% and 0, 5, and 10% of the diet for the two experiments, respectively. Hen-day production was 87.3, 86.9, 86.3, 83.7, and 80.9% and 73.6, 79.8, and 72.6% for the two experiments, respectively, and was not different within experiments. Egg weight was reduced by levels of snail meal above 5% in Experiment 1 but not in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, diets containing snail meal resulted in egg yolks with a deeper yellow color. Albumen quality, shell thickness, incidence of blood and meat spots, and taste of eggs were not influenced by feeding diets containing snail meal. The trend toward lowered egg production from snail meal was not expected on the basis of previous work with broilers. The present study shows that snail meal could be used up to 5% in layer diets without reducing egg weights and up to 10% without reducing egg production.

Agonistic and Nonagonistic Behaviors of Pullets of Dissimilar Strains of White Leghorns When Kept Separately and Intermingled ,

Agonistic and nonagonistic behaviors were compared for pullets of two White Leghorn strains. One strain had been selected for part-year egg production; the other was the unselected control from which the selected strain was derived. There were two experiments in which the strains were kept separately and intermingled in laying-house floor pens. The selected strain had social dominance over the control at 5 months (before sexual maturity), but that dominance had diminished or disappeared when strangers of the two strains were placed together at 17 months. Nevertheless, because of social inertia, selected strain pullets maintained undiminished dominance over control pullets for the entire laying year when they were kept together from housing time onward.Selected strain females had more aggressive acts, more feeding activity, and spent less time resting than control females in both separated- and intermingled-strain housing environments. When pullets of the two strains were kept together, the relative frequencies of their agonistic behaviors were changed, but nonagonistic activities were not altered.Pullets had increased frequencies of pecking and fighting, but not of chases and threats, when they were hungry and feeding. Pullets with higher social status had more feeding activity when feed was constantly available, but that was not apparent when all were hungry and feeding. Preening activity increased as pullets aged.

Response of three strains of egg-type pullets to three feed restriction regimes imposed during rearing

The productivity of heavy-, medium- and light-weight White Leghorn x Australorp pullets (216 of each strain) was established on three feed restriction regimes. The pullets were either restricted from 6 to 21 weeks of age to 80% of feed intake of pullets fed ad libitum, restricted in feeding time to 6 hours in every 48 from 6 to 21 weeks, or fed a diet containing 10% protein from day-old to 16 weeks of age. All restricted pullets ate between 19 and 37% less feed during rearing, were between 11 and 34% lighter at 21 weeks of age, and attained 50% production by 10 to 32 days later than pullets fed ad libitum. Strains differed in their responses to feed restriction as measured by mean body weight at 21 weeks, feed intake during lay, and feed per dozen eggs. Strain x rearing interactions were not observed for rate of lay, mean egg weight, total egg mass or rate of mortality. The biological responses were analyzed in economic terms using a computer simulation model. Restricting the feed intake of the heavy strain by any of these methods was more profitable, at ruling 1976 prices, than ad libitum feeding, because of the saving in feed cost and marked improvement in productivity. Performances were not improved by restriction in the light strain pullets, but feed cost was reduced by all three methods. With the medium strain, limiting the quantity of feed was more profitable than the other two methods.

Dietary Energy and Fat Content as Factors in the Nutrition of Developing Egg Strain Pullets and Young Hens: 4. Effect on Growth, Hepatic Lipogenic Enzyme Activity and Body Chemical Composition of White Leghorn Pullets from Hatch to 20 Weeks of Age.

Nine starting and rearing diets (three energy levels each with three fat levels) were fed to commercial White Leghorn chicks from hatch to 20 weeks of age.As noted in the earlier papers of this series, pullets fed the high energy rearing diets showed significant (P=0.05) reductions in feed intake, however, average daily caloric intake was greater (P=0.05) for pullets consuming the low energy rearing diets. Fat content of the diet had not influence on either daily feed (g.) or caloric (kcal.) intake. Energy content of the diets failed (P=0.05) to affect parameters related to body growth and development, hepatic citrate-cleavage and “malic” enzyme activity and liver or body composition. Fat content of the diet depressed hepatic enzyme activity while no effect was noted on body weight, liver weight or body composition. The onset of sexual maturity altered lipid metabolism in the developing pullets. Significant (P=0.05) energy level by fat level interactions were noted in only two of the 20 parameters studied in this experiment. In vitro assay of hepatic citrate-cleavage and “malic” enzyme activity proved to be of little value in predicting hepatic lipogenic activity and subsequent effects on liver and total body composition.

Dietary Energy and Fat Content as Factors in the Nutrition of Developing Egg Strain Pullets and Young Hens: 3. Effects on Hepatic Lipogenic Enzyme Activity and Body Chemical Composition during the First 20 Weeks of Lay

One hundred and twenty six commercial White Leghorn pullets were housed in cages at 23 weeks of age and fed two laying diets that differed in energy and fat content. Changes in hepatic “citrate-cleavage” and “malic” enzyme activity and changes in liver and body chemical composition were measured each week during the first 20 weeks of lay.Average daily caloric intake was greater for the birds fed the high energy laying diets even though these birds consumed 11% less feed. While energy content of the laying diet failed (P=0.05) to affect body weight gains, liver weight, liver fat content and hepatic enzyme activity, significant (P=0.05) increases in abdominal fat pad weight and total body fat content were noted. The findings of significant alterations in total carcass composition in birds receiving the high energy laying diet support the conclusion that energy content of the layer diet will influence the carcass composition of modern day egg producing strains.

Dietary Energy and Fat Content as Factors in the Nutrition of Developing Egg Strain Pullets and Young Hens: 2. Effects on Subsequent Productive Performance and Body Chemical Composition of Present Day Egg Strain Layers at the Termination of Lay

Four hundred commercial S.C.W.L. chicks of two strains were floor reared on two dietary programmes (pullet versus broiler diets) which differed in energy content by approximately 457 kcal. of M.E./kg. for the starting and growing diets. At 18 weeks of age the pullets were moved to a windowless cage house, housed in individual cages, fed two laying diets that differed in energy and fat content and sacrificed after 280 days of lay. Moisture, fat, nitrogen and ash were determined on each carcass and liver. While feeding of the high energy rearing diet depressed feed intake (approximately 7% over the duration of the rearing period) and resulted in a marked increase in caloric intake from 6 to 18 weeks of age, energy level of the rearing diet failed (P=0.05) to affect mortality or body weight gains.Energy level of the rearing diet failed (P=0.05) to affect subsequent mortality, production (hen day basis), efficiency (g. feed/egg) or body composition at the end of lay. Energy content of the laying diet significantly (P=0.05) depressed feed intake and significantly (P=0.05) increased caloric intake, body weight gains, efficiency (g. feed/egg), abdominal fat pad weight (g.) and total body fat.While many strain differences were noted in the various parameters studied, of considerable importance was the finding of no significant strain by diet energy level interaction. This finding suggests that, while significant strain differences may occur, the two strains responded in a similar manner to changes in the dietary energy content of the laying ration. Body and liver composition for the two strains did not differ at the end of lay.

Analysis of ovulation-oviposition patterns in the domestic fowl by telemetry measurement of deep body temperature.

Continuous temperature records in relation to time of oviposition and behaviour associated with it are summarized for 13 laying strain pullets with a regular pattern of oviposition and for a further 10 pullets which were either 'internal layers' , or natural or induced layers of membranous-shell eggs. The records of five pullets, in which the most recently ruptured follicle was excised within 2-5 h after ovulation, and of four control pullets are also included.

Dietary Energy and Fat Content as Factors in the Nutrition of Developing Egg Strain Pullets and Young Hens: 1. Effect on Several Parameters and Body Composition at Sexual Maturity

Four hundred commercial S.C.W.L. chicks of two strains were cage reared on two dietary programmes (pullet versus broiler diets) which differed in energy content by approximately 457 kcal. of M.E./kg. for the starting and growing diets. Upon reaching sexual maturity (age at first egg) the pullets were killed and a number of parameters measured. Moisture, fat, nitrogen and ash were determined on each carcass and liver.Pullets receiving the high energy diets consumed 19% less feed, significantly more protein (9.2 versus 8.7 g./day) and approximately the same calories (139 versus 143 kcal. M.E./day) to 18 weeks of age, as did pullets receiving the low energy diet. No difference in body weight was evident.Energy level of the diet had no effect at sexual maturity on the following parameters; mortality, age, body weight, wet liver weight, liver color or liver firmness, liver water, fat, protein or ash, abdominal fat pad weight, total body water, fat, or ash. The carcasses of pullets receiving the high energy diets contained significantly more protein.Significant strain differences were apparent for many of the parameters studied. The heavy bodied pullets (Strain B) showed less mortality, consumed more feed, energy and protein to 18 weeks of age and gained more weight. The heavy bodied pullets reached sexual maturity 6.3 days earlier and weighed 168 grams more than the light bodied strain. Abdominal fat pad and liver weights were heavier at sexual maturity for Strain B birds. Livers from Strain B birds showed a lighter color score. The heavy bodied birds contained 2.21% less water, 2.7% more fat and 0.43% less protein than the light bodied pullets. Total body ash and liver composition were unaffected by strain.Regression equations to predict total body fat and protein from total body water were developed.

Studies on the Housing Density of the Fowl

About twenty years have passed since the cage system for the layer was introduced into Japan. A high percentage of layers operation are utilizing cage system as a method of housing the bird. But there are a few reports concerning the effect of cage size and number of bird per cage. This study was done to obtain information of the effect of cage size and bird density in the cage on the performance of egg production type pullets.A most popullar individual laying cage size in Japan, is about 24cm width, 39cm depth and 40cm height.A total 249 commercial strain pullets (Babcock B 300) were confined in cage at 120 days of age under five treatments: birds were put in 18cm cage individually (Treatment 1), in 24cm cage individually (Treatment 2), two birds to 24cm cage (Treatment 3), two birds in 30cm cage (Treatment 4) and three birds in 48cm cage (Treatment 5). All cages were 39cm depth and 40cm height. Birds were debeaked by cutting off their both mandibles. Feeding experiment was conducted over the one year from 120 to 500 days of age.There were no differences in days to 50% egg production, percent of egg production on a hen day basis from 150 to 500 days of age, average number of eggs of survival hens and average egg weight among the treatments. Feed conversions of Treatment 4 and 5 were a little higher than other treatments, because of much feed intake. Mortality did not increased and cannibalism in high density treatment were not observed. Percent of cracked, brocken and stained shell egg were not differrent among the treatments.These results suggested the possibility of making higher housing density of cage laying house than that common in Japan.

Fat Accretion during Postembryonic Growth in the Domestic Duck, with Additional Data from the Mallard

Previous articleNext article No AccessFat Accretion during Postembryonic Growth in the Domestic Duck, with Additional Data from the MallardA. J. EvansA. J. Evans Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Volume 45, Number 2Apr., 1972 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.45.2.30155580 Views: 2Total views on this site Citations: 10Citations are reported from Crossref Journal History This article was published in Physiological Zoology (1928-1998), which is continued by Physiological and Biochemical Zoology (1999-present). PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Greta Geldenhuys, Louwrens C. Hoffman, Nina Muller Aspects of the nutritional value of cooked Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) meat compared with other well-known fowl species, Poultry Science 92, no.1111 (Nov 2013): 3050–3059.https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2013-03342Fang Ding, Zhixiong Pan, Jie Kou, Le Li, Lu Xia, Shenqiang Hu, Hehe Liu, Jiwen Wang De novo lipogenesis in the liver and adipose tissues of ducks during early growth stages after hatching, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 163, no.11 (Sep 2012): 154–160.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb.2012.05.014D.C. CUNNINGHAM, W.D. MORRISON Dietary Energy and Fat Content as Factors in the Nutrition of Developing Egg Strain Pullets and Young Hens, Poultry Science 56, no.66 (Nov 1977): 1792–1805.https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0561792Margaret W. Stanier Effect of environmental temperature and food intake on the distribution of fat in growing hairless mice, British Journal of Nutrition 37, no.22 (Aug 2007): 279–284.https://doi.org/10.1079/BJN19770029L. Griffiths, S. Leeson, J.D. Summers Fat Deposition in Broilers: Effect of Dietary Energy to Protein Balance, and Early Life Caloric Restriction on Productive Performance and Abdominal Fat Pad Size, Poultry Science 56, no.22 (Mar 1977): 638–646.https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0560638F.E. Pfaff, J.D. Benson, R.E. Austic Influence of diet on adiposal lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triacylglyceride synthetase activities in the developing pullet (Gallus domesticus), Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Comparative Biochemistry 58, no.44 (Jan 1977): 345–348.https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0491(77)90179-1D.C. Cunningham, W.D. Morrison Dietary Energy and Fat Content as Factors in the Nutrition of Developing Egg Strain Pullets and Young Hens, Poultry Science 55, no.11 (Jan 1976): 85–97.https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0550085A. J. Evans In vitro lipogenesis in the liver and adipose tissues of the female Aylesbury duck at different ages, British Poultry Science 13, no.66 (Nov 2007): 595–602.https://doi.org/10.1080/00071667208415986A. J. Evans Changes in adipocyte size during post‐embryonic growth in the female Aylesbury duck, British Poultry Science 13, no.66 (Nov 2007): 615–618.https://doi.org/10.1080/00071667208415989A.J. Evans Lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissues of the domestic duck: The effect of age, sex, and nutritional state, International Journal of Biochemistry 3, no.1414 (Apr 1972): 199–206.https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-711X(72)90080-8

SIMPLIFICATION OF HIGH WHEAT DIETS FOR LAYING HENS: VALUE OF SUPPLEMENTATION WITH METHIONINE HYDROXY ANALOGUE

Groups of laying strain pullets were maintained singly in wire cages and fed a diet in which rolled, feed grade, hard red spring wheat was the sole cereal grain and no protein supplement was added. For other groups this diet was supplemented with 5, 10, or 15% soybean meal, or 2% blood meal. A further treatment consisted of replacing 10% wheat with soybean meal and using one-half wheat and one-half corn as the cereal portion of the diet. All of the above diets were fed in the absence of amino acid supplementation and in the presence of methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA). The duration of the experiment was eight periods of 28 days. The results suggested that with a simplified diet based on wheat and soybean meal, between 10 and 15% soybean meal was necessary for optimum reproductive performance. The supplement of MHA improved performance only in diets where total protein or lysine, or both, was/were not first limiting. The simplified diet containing 87.25% wheat, 2% blood meal, and 0.125% MHA supported a rate of egg production of 68%, clearly demonstrating the extent to which wheat might be used with further slight modifications of the diet.