The use of low‐protein rations including the feeding of only whole wheat to two breeds of replacement pullets

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Abstract
An experiment was performed on about 200 birds of each of two commercial breeds from o to 392 d of age. Four treatments were applied from 40 to 134 d of age with any changes in the treatment occurring at 89 d of age. Three of the treatments consisted of variation in the degree of reduction in the crude protein content of the mash diets offered over this period: 15.9 per cent followed by 14.6 per cent; 14.6 per cent throughout; 14.6 per cent followed by 12.3 per cent. In the context of similar experiments reported in the literature the higher egg weights and increased egg production achieved in this experiment by birds reared on the highest protein level and the reduction in food costs due to the use of the lower protein mashes were judged to be of only marginal economic significance. The fourth treatment consisted of 14.6 per cent crude protein mash diet followed by only whole wheat consumed from 89 to 134 d of age. The saving in rearing food costs in this fourth group compared to the others was about 3p and the performance of the birds under this treatment was very similar to that obtaining under the other three treatments.