The performance of laying hens fed various dietary protein levels in the growing period and first laying year

Abstract

Two experiments examined the effects of protein restriction in the growing period on the production of egg type pullets. The protein levels of diets fed in the growing period were 15, 13, and 11 per cent. The treatments were incorporated in factorial designs with nutritional treatments in the laying period involving diet protein levels of 17, 15, and 13 per cent and, for one of the experiments, with housing densities of either 4 sq. ft. or 2 sq. ft. per bird. Restriction of protein during the growing period retarded growth and delayed sexual maturity, but neither of the levels of restriction examined increased subsequent laying performance. Eggs lost due to delays in the onset of production were not compensated for by increases in subsequent production and egg weight was generally depressed by protein restriction. The pattern of egg production was altered by restriction. A 13 per cent protein layer diet introduced at point of lay also reduced bodyweight gain and delayed age at sexual maturity. Interactions between nutritional and housing treatments in the growing and laying periods were apparent in egg production and egg weight.