Influence of post-molt laying performance and egg quality by different treatment days of feed restriction of molting diet in Nagoya breed laying hens
2009
Ando, M., Aichi-ken. Agricultural Research Center, Nagakute (Japan) | Ishishiro, M. | Minoguchi, N. | Kondo, H.
The present study was designed to investigate post-molt laying performance and egg quality in Nagoya breed laying hens molted by different treatment days of feed restriction of a molting diet based on wheat bran. A total of 288 Nagoya breed hens at 53 weeks of age were randomly divided into four treatment groups. In the first group (control group), the hens were fed conventional layer diet ad libitum. In the second, third, and fourth groups, the molting diet was provided at 30g/hen per day for 14, 21, and 28 days. In all treatment groups, laying performance and egg quality were investigated up to 90 weeks of age. 1. Three treatment groups of feed restriction of the molting diet were better than control group on post-molt egg production rates and feed conversion ratios. Especially, the longer treatment days tended to be effective. 2. Three treatment groups of feed restriction of the molting diet exhibited significantly better (p0.05) egg qualities (Haugh unit, egg shell strength, egg shell thickness, b/a value of egg shell color) when compared with control group. Particularly, the treatment group of feed restriction for 28 days showed the best egg qualities. In conclusion, Nagoya breed laying hens molted by feed restriction of the molting diet for 28 days at 53 weeks of age showed effective improvement of the post-molt laying performance and egg quality. The high productivity was maintained up to 90 weeks of age.
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