PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION BY LAYING HENS FED PRACTICAL RATIONS HAVING EXTREMES IN FIBRE CONTENT

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Abstract
Single Comb White Leghorn hens were fed practical rations calculated to have high (13.8% protein, 2,390 kcal ME/kg with 5.75% CF) and low (17.8% protein, 3,060 kcal ME/kg with 2.44% CF) fibre contents from 24 to 60 wk of age. Both diets were comparable in essential amino acid profile and their relationship of crude protein (CP), most minerals and vitamins to metabolizable energy (ME) content. No differences (P <.05) in production rate or egg weight occurred throughout the experiment. However, an increased feed intake (P <.05) and reduced weight gain (P <.05) were observed with birds fed the high fibre ration. Measurement of apparent nutrient utilization midway through the study indicated that crude protein, acid detergent fibre and ash were used to a similar extent from both rations. Hens given the high fibre diet had a lower daily intake of ME (P <.05) than those fed the low fibre diet, although there was a greater than calculated feed caloric content. Use of larger amounts of neutral detergent fibre was suspected as the primary contributor to this energy differential. It is stressed that as the physical limit in feed consumption is approached, a better assessment of feedstuff nitrogen and energy availability is necessary to assure hen requirements.

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