Effects of nutrient concentration and dietary presentation on performance of dwarf hens

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Abstract
1. Diets containing 170 or 190 g protein/kg and 10.9 or 11.7 MJ ME/kg in all combinations were offered to dwarf hens in two dietary presentations: a complete mash or a form in which part of the protein and calcium contents were presented as soyabean meal pellets and limestone grit respectively. 2. Egg production and egg mass output were higher with the 190 g protein/kg diets. 3. Lower‐energy diets gave better egg production, while higher‐energy diets containing 190 g protein/kg improved food conversion efficiency. 4. Separation of protein and calcium constituents tended to give better egg production, food conversion efficiency, shell thickness and egg mass output.