The effects of methionine deficiency and egg production on feather loss in caged layers
- 1 October 1983
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in British Poultry Science
- Vol. 24 (4) , 549-553
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668308416774
Abstract
1. Feather loss was scored on the neck and crop area of 402 individually‐caged hens, 61 weeks old and receiving either methionine‐deficient or adequate diets. 2. Both feather loss and egg production were greater for the hens receiving adequate diets. 3. Within treatments there was a close relationship between egg output and feather loss. 4. The findings are consistent with feather loss being caused by abrasion against the cage floor or walls during pre‐laying behaviour.Keywords
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