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Efficiency of utilization of energy for egg production in feed-restricted single comb White Leghorn hens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. A. Degen ,
M. Kam  and
A. Rosenstrauch
A. A. Degen
Affiliation:
Isan Center for Comparative Medicine and Desert Animal Research, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
M. Kam
Affiliation:
Isan Center for Comparative Medicine and Desert Animal Research, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
A. Rosenstrauch
Affiliation:
Isan Center for Comparative Medicine and Desert Animal Research, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel Poultry Extension Service, Ministry of Agriculture, P.O. Box 48, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
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Summary

Egg production and body mass changes were measured in six groups, each containing 10 single comb White Leghorn (SCWL) hens, in which each group received decreasing amounts of dry matter (D.M.) in decrements of 10%. Group 1 received 101·2 g D.M./day (100%), an amount normally offered these hens, whereas group 6 received 52·8 g D.M./day (50%). Egg production remained relatively high but body mass declined rapidly in the feed-restricted groups when compared with group 1 in the first 4 weeks (period I); in the second 4 weeks (period II), egg production declined to a great extent but body mass remained constant. Egg production and egg mass were significantly lower in period II than in period I in the feed-restricted birds. In period I egg production did not decrease significantly until the hens were restricted in feed by 30%; in period II this occurred at 20% feed restriction. Energy of eggs produced as a fraction of metabolizable energy intake (MEI) tended to increase in the feed-restricted groups when compared with group I in period I, but decreased significantly at the 40% and 50% group in period II. Maintenance energy requirements for the hens were 569·2 kJ/kg0·75 per day and the efficiency of utilization of energy for egg production was 88·2% in period I; these values were 551·6 kJ/kg0·75 per day and 74·0%, respectively, in period II. Energy yielded from the catabolism of body tissue per gram body mass loss was 23·08 kJ.

It was concluded that the hens initially maintained near-normal egg production at the expense of body energy reserves and then at the expense of egg mass. The efficiency of utilization of energy for egg production was higher when the energy source was mainly from body energy reserves than from MEI (88·2% v. 74·0%). The level of feed restriction and its length of imposition, the body energy reserves of the hen and the source of energy for egg production can explain many of the different responses reported in feed-restricted laying hens. In addition, reduction of 20 to 30 % feed intake in laying hens had little effect on egg production for a short period (4 weeks) during which time the hens mobilized body energy reserves. If these hens were to be sold, then this would add an additional option to this enterprise; that is, reduce feed cost at the expense of body mass prior to the sale of the hens.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 111 , Issue 2 , October 1988 , pp. 303 - 308
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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