UTILIZATION OF MEAL FROM A NEW RAPESEED VARIETY, BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS CV. CANDLE, IN LAYER DIETS

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Abstract
A new Brassica campestris variety of rapeseed, cv. Candle, is currently being evaluated as an animal feed ingredient for use in Canada. This rapeseed has a lighter-colored seed coat and slightly less fiber than established varieties. Isocaloric (2,805 kcal metabolizable energy/kg), isonitrogenous (17% crude protein) corn–soy based mash diets were formulated to contain 0, 5, 10 or 15% Candle rapeseed meal. Each diet was offered to eight replicate groups of 12 caged commercial White Leghorn hens, Feed intake, egg production, egg weight and egg shell deformation were measured during each of ten 28-day periods of lay. Rapeseed meal had no significant (P < 0.05) effect on any of these parameters. Unlike older varieties, Candle meal did not depress egg weight when used at levels up to 10% of the diet, although at 15% inclusion there was an indication of reduced egg size. Diet had no significant (P < 0.05) effect on mortality or incidence of liver hemorrhage. From a consideration of all production characteristics, it would appear to be safe to recommend a level of 5–10% Candle rapeseed meal in diets for laying hens.

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