Quantitative review of optimum amino acid intakes for young laying pullets

Data relating egg output to daily intakes of lysine, methionine, tryptophan, isoleucine and valine have been analysed using both published and unpublished sources. Amino acid requirements in mg/d for individual pullets were estimated by the following equations: (Table: see text) where E = egg output in g/d and W = body weight in kg. Response curves for flocks of pullets were calculated using the Reading model and optimum intakes were derived for various body weights, egg outputs and ratios of input costs to output values. Estimates of amino acid maintenance requirements were related to reported values for the adult cockerel and the amino acid requirement for egg output was related to the digestibility of amino acids and the composition of egg protein. Procedures are suggested for deriving response coefficients for other essential amino acids.     

Quantification of reproductive changes and nutrient requirements of broiler breeder pullets at sexual maturity

1. 480 Broiler breeder pullets, kept in individual cages, were subjected to different rates of increase in food allocation during the period 18 to 30 weeks of age. From 80 g food/bird d at the start of the experiment, the 5 treatments comprised linear weekly increments in food allocation to reach a maximum of 150 g/bird d at 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29 weeks of age respectively. 2. Body weight, liver weight, fat pad weight and alimentary tract weight were influenced by the rate of increment in food allocation. 3. Rate of development of the oviduct and the ovary was not influenced by these treatments. 4. Although the amount of fat and protein contained in the liver increased most rapidly on the treatments where 150 g/bird d was attained first, by 25 weeks of age there were no meaningful differences in these two variables between treatments. It is unlikely, therefore, that a high protein intake during this period would allow sufficient protein or energy to be stored in the liver to sustain a higher egg output later in the laying period. 5. It is concluded that the amount of protein required by a broiler breeder pullet for maintenance and for growth during the pre-laying period is about 10 g/bird d.     

The determination of the methionine requirement of laying pullets by a diet dilution technique

A method for the determination of amino acid requirements of laying hens is described. This involves the dilution of a high protein “ summit” diet with an isocaloric nitrogen‐free mixture. By ensuring that the amino acid to be assayed is first‐limiting in the summit diet, the response to dilution can be interpreted as a response to a single amino acid.

The method is applied to the determination of methionine requirement and it is shown that the response to methionine obtained is virtually independent of the protein level of the diet and is not influenced by direct effects of the dilution mixture.

From the results of the present and other published experiments, the “ available “ methionine required for maximum egg yield of pullets in the early stages of lay is estimated to be 275 mg per bird per day.     

Effects of ad libitum feeding on performance of different strains of broiler breeders

(1) Tolerance to ad libitum feeding was compared in three genotypes of broiler breeder hens: a standard broiler breeder fed ad libitum (SA) or restricted (SR), a slow growing 'label' broiler breeder (L) and an experimental dwarf heavy broiler breeder (E). Two similar experiments were conducted in two distinct research centres. (2) Feed intake and body weight were measured every 3 weeks from hatch to 40 to 49 weeks of age. Egg production and egg abnormalities were recorded. The number of yellow follicles in ovaries was counted at the age of 32 weeks. (3) Body weight was stabilised at 2.2, 3.7 and 5.4 kg after 24 weeks of age in L, E and SA hens, respectively. Growth of the SR hens was similar to that of L up to 20 weeks and stabilised at a similar level to that of E hens after 30 weeks of age. (4) Sexual maturity was delayed by 6 weeks in restricted breeders compared to ad libitum fed hens that started to lay at 20 weeks. SA hens had low egg production and a high proportion of defective eggs, which was largely compensated for by feed restriction. However, productivity of SR hens remained lower than that of L breeders. (5) Compared to the low viability and reproductive fitness observed with SA hens, the E dwarf broiler breeder tolerated ad libitum feeding and had better egg production, fewer egg abnormalities and yellow follicles per ovary and a higher egg production. However, laying rate was still lower than that of the SR and L groups. Energy conversion (kJ/g egg) from 32 to 40 weeks of age was much higher in the SA group than in the other three groups. 6. The feasibility of feeding a dwarf broiler breeder ad libitum calls for further research on implications of specific IGF and GH-receptor expression at the level of the ovary in dw chickens.     

Cottonseed Meal Diets Improve Body Weight Uniformity in Broiler Breeder Pullets

Due to its low nutrient density, cottonseed meal (CSM) may be a potential alternative feed ingredient for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler breeder pullet diets to improve flock BW uniformity. A major concern when utilizing CSM in poultry diets, however, is the presence of gossypol. It was determined in an initial experiment that when broiler breeder hens are fed a diet containing CSM, gossypol accumulates in the liver. When CSM is removed from the diet, however, hepatic gossypol levels dissipate within a few weeks. In a subsequent study, in order to achieve the breeder guideline ideal weight, broiler breeder pullets reared with a diet containing CSM from 2 to 18 wk of age had to be fed a larger amount than birds consuming a standard SBM diet. The CV of bird weight was significantly lower during the rearing period for birds reared with the corn and CSM diet. This difference in uniformity was maintained as the hens entered the breeding period. Egg weight, hatchability, and fertility were equivalent for hens reared with a diet containing CSM and those reared with a standard diet throughout the growing period. The results suggest that broiler breeder pullets reared on a diet containing CSM as the major protein source have improved flock BW uniformity and normal subsequent reproductive performance.     

Effects of breeder hen age and dietary L-carnitine on progeny embryogenesis

1. Ross 308 broiler breeder hens were given diets containing 0 or 25 mg L-carnitine/kg (8 replications per treatment) from 21 weeks of age. 2. Hens were inseminated with semen from Ross broiler breeder males. In a common facility, subsequent progeny hatchability and embryonic mortality at 25, 30, 32, and 38 weeks of breeder age were evaluated. 3. Subsequent egg component weights, incubational egg water loss, progeny embryo growth, and embryo, yolk sac and liver composition through 18 d of incubation at 27, 32, and 38 weeks of breeder age were evaluated. 4. Calculated additions of L-carnitine were in agreement with analysed contents of 3.5 and 31.1 mg free L-carnitine/kg of diet, respectively, and total L-carnitine concentrations increased by 48.6, 21.7, and 10.0% in 0-d yolk, 18-d yolk sac, and 18-d liver samples, respectively, due to the addition of dietary L-carnitine. 5. Supplemental L-carnitine resulted in increased (0.6%) relative 0-d egg yolk weight across weeks 27, 32, and 38, and reduced (0.38%) 18-d yolk sac palmitoleic acid concentration at week 27 without altering embryogenesis. 6. In conclusion, dietary L-carnitine (25 mg/kg of the diet) was deposited in the yolks of broiler breeder hens and was subsequently transferred to the embryonic liver via yolk sac absorption through 18 d of incubation. Furthermore, dietary L-carnitine supplementation increased ovarian follicle yolk deposition in 27-, 32-, and 38-week-old breeder hens, and influenced yolk sac fatty acid beta-oxidation in embryos from 27-week-old breeder hens causing yolk sac palmitoleic acid concentrations to be reduced by 18 d of incubation.     

Low protein rations based on wheat and soybean meal or corn and soybean meal for laying hens 1

Rations in which all the protein was supplied by wheat and soybean meal or corn and soybean meal were fed to White Leghorn hens for 252 d. Rations based on wheat‐soybean meal which contained 14% protein supported a high and efficient rate of egg production when supplemented with sufficient lysine and methionine to ensure minimum intakes of 600 and 300 mg per hen‐day, respectively. Similarly, corn‐soybean meal rations which contained 12 to 14% protein and were properly supplemented with methionine and lysine supported satisfactory laying hen performance. Average egg size of hens fed on rations based on wheat was slightly smaller than that of hens fed on corn‐based rations. Lysine supplementation did not alleviate this.

The data re‐emphasise that protein concentration of laying hen rations can be reduced from the commonly used 15.5 and 16.5% levels to 14% without impairing productive performance, provided that rations based on wheat and soybean meal or corn and soybean meal are supplemented judiciously with lysine and/or methionine.     

Effect of feeding clinoptilolite (zeolite) on the performance of three strains of laying hens

1. One hundred and twenty 16‐week‐old single combed pullets of three strains were fed on a diet containing 135 g protein/kg with or without 50 g clinoptilolite/kg in a trial with 20 hens per treatment. Sterile river sand replaced clinoptilolite in the control diet in order to keep the diets isoenergetic. The hens were individually caged in a naturally ventilated laying house and fed one of the two diets for ten 28‐d periods.

2. Significant dietary effects of feeding clinoptilolite were observed with number of eggs laid per hen, shell thickness, efficiency of food utilisation and droppings moisture content. No significant dietary effects between treatments were observed with body weight, age at first egg, egg weight, Haugh units, food intake/hen and rate of amino acid absorption of radioactive lysine and methionine into the bloodstream. Significant differences between strains were observed with regard to all parameters except food intake/hen. There were no significant strain × clinoptilolite interactions.     

Modelling energy utilisation in broiler breeder hens

1. The objective of this study was to determine a metabolisable energy (ME) requirement model for broiler breeder hens. The influence of temperature on ME requirements for maintenance was determined in experiments conducted in three environmental rooms with temperatures kept constant at 13, 21 and 30 degrees C using a comparative slaughter technique. The energy requirements for weight gain were determined based upon body energy content and efficiency of energy utilisation for weight gain. The energy requirements for egg production were determined on the basis of egg energy content and efficiency of energy deposition in the eggs. 2. The following model was developed using these results: ME = kgW0.75(806.53-26.45T + 0.50T2) + 31.90G + 10.04EM, where kgW0.75 is body weight (kg) raised to the power 0.75, T is temperature ( degrees C), G is weight gain (g) and EM is egg mass (g). 3. A feeding trial was conducted using 400 Hubbard Hi-Yield broiler breeder hens and 40 Peterson males from 31 to 46 weeks of age in order to compare use of the model with a recommended feeding programme for this strain of bird. The application of the model in breeder hens provided good productive and reproductive performance and better results in feed and energy conversion than in hens fed according to strain recommendation. In conclusion, the model evaluated predicted an ME intake which matched breeder hens' requirements.     

Effect of feeding low lysine starters and developers on growth,sexual maturity and subsequent performance of broiler breeder pullets 1

Pullets that were fed diets containing 0.53 per cent and 0.42 per cent lysine grew at a slower rate and matured later than those that were given adequate amount of lysine. The latter pullets converted their food more efficiently than did the restricted pullets with the exception of the group fed the ration containing 0.53 per cent lysine for the first 12 weeks. The restricted pullets consumed less food during the growing period. A smaller bird was produced on less food. The restricted pullets were also lighter than the control pullets at the end of the laying season. A saving in food costs is indicated because the smaller hen would require less food for maintenance.

There was a higher mortality in the pullets fed a ration containing 0.53 per cent lysine during the growing period. The mortality in the group fed the ration containing 0.42 per cent lysine from 7 to 22 weeks of age was the same as that of the control. There were no differences in mortality during the laying season that could be related to methods of rearing the pullets.

During the laying season, the highest rate of lay was obtained from hens which had been fed the ration containing 0.42 per cent lysine from 7 to 22 weeks of age. Hens fed on the ration containing 0.53 per cent lysine from o to 4, 8 or 12 weeks of age showed no improvement in rate of lay as compared with controls.

Hens fed the ration containing 0.42 per cent lysine from 7 to 22 weeks laid fewer small eggs at the beginning of the laying season than did hens receiving adequate amounts of lysine throughout or fed the ration containing 0.53 per cent lysine from o to 4, 8 or 12 weeks. The hens fed the latter ration laid smaller eggs throughout the laying season.

No differences were found between the fertility, hatchability or embryonic mortality of eggs obtained from hens fed on lysine deficient diets during growth and those fed on diets adequate in lysine.     

Requirement of the hen for sulphur‐containing amino acids

1. The sulphur amino acid requirements of White Leghorn‐type laying hens were determined in two 52‐week experiments using diets based on maize and soyabean meal providing from 5.0 to 6.5 g sulphur amino acids/kg, 12.35 MJ ME/kg and 8.6 to 8.8 g lysine/kg. There were six replicates of 15 individually‐caged hens each per treatment.

2. A requirement of approximately 775 to 800 mg sulphur amino acids /hen d, of which about 390 to 440 mg was methionine, was found for a maximum of 80 to 83 eggs/100 hen d. There were indications that the requirement for maximum egg production was less than that for maximum efficiency of food utilisation.

3. Diets containing 138 g protein/kg supplemented with methionine and lysine supported production and food utilisation as effectively as a diet containing 167 g protein/kg.     

Digestible lysine requirement for growing Japanese quails

A total of 1,000 one-day-old Japanese quails were distributed at random, with 5 digestible lysine levels, in 10 replicates and with 20 birds per experimental unit. The basal diet was formulated based on corn and soybean, with 200.6 g CP/kg, 2900.00 kcal/kg ME, and 8.8 g digestible lysine/kg. This basal diet was supplemented with L-lysine HCl (784 g/kg), replacing glutamic acid, and corresponding to digestible lysine levels of 8.8 g/kg, 9.8 g/kg, 10.8 g/kg, 11.8 g/kg, and 12.8 g/kg. The increase in the levels of digestible lysine produced a greater weight gain in birds with up to 12.2 and 12.1 g of lysine/kg at 40 d of age. Carcass weight increased as levels were increased to up to 11.85 g of lysine/kg, and, similarly, egg production per bird housed increased up to 12.03 g of lysine/kg. A linear increase took place in the growing phase for feathering, fat, and crude protein deposits in the carcass, feed intake, and lysine intake. Egg production and egg mass per bird per d increased linearly in the laying phase with the weight gain of birds decreasing linearly until 100 d of age, and, similarly, the feed conversion per egg mass linearly improved in function of the lysine levels. A level of 11.85 g of digestible lysine/kg in the diet, which corresponded to a lysine intake of 120.5 mg/bird/d, provided better carcass weight at the end of the growing phase and better performance at the beginning of the laying phase for the Japanese quails.     

30～38周龄产蛋鸡理想氨基酸模式的研究

本试验旨在通过4个剂量-反应试验,研究30～38周龄产蛋鸡对赖氨酸(Lys)、蛋氨酸(Met)、色氨酸(Trp)和苏氨酸(Thr)4种必需氨基酸(AA)的需要量及其比例.每个试验均采用360只海兰灰产蛋鸡,设5个处理,分别采食5个AA梯度水平的试验饲粮,每个处理6个重复,每个重复12只鸡.采用蛋公鸡回肠食糜法测定饲料原料的标准回肠可消化(SID)值.试验预试期14 d,正试期56 d.结果表明:海兰灰产蛋鸡的产蛋率、蛋重、日产蛋量和料蛋比与SIDLys、SID Met、SID Trp和SID Thr的摄入水平均有较好的折线回归关系;以日产蛋量为自变量(x),AA摄入水平为依变量(Y)分别建立的回归方程为:YSID Lys=51.60-0.041 6(682.5-x),R2=0.96;YsID Met=51.43-0.085(314.1-x),R2 =0.95;YSID Trp =51.17-0.155 4(163.0-x),R2=0.97;YsID Thr=52.85-0.057 6(499.5-x),R2=0.93.在饲粮粗蛋白质12.8％的条件下,以日产蛋量为参照指标确定的30 ～ 38周龄产蛋鸡的SID Lys、SID Met、SID Trp和SID Thr需要量分别为684、313、171和506 mg/(只·d).以日产蛋量为指标建立的30～38周龄产蛋鸡理想SID AA模式为:Lys:Met:Trp:Thr=100∶46∶24∶73.     

The Impact of Yeast Culture Residue on the Suppression of Dietary Aflatoxin on the Performance of Broiler Breeder Hens

A study was conducted to examine the effect of yeast culture residue (YCR) on the suppression of aflatoxicosis in broiler breeder hens. One hundred twenty, 35-wk-old, Cobb broiler breeder hens of the same cross were fed diets supplemented with aflatoxin (AF) (0 or 3 mg/kg) and YCR (0 or 2 lb/ton) singly and combined in a 2 × 2 factorial designed experiment. The birds were randomly assigned to pens with 3 replicates of 10 females and 1 male per treatment. Eggs laid by the hens were collected daily, stored at room temperature, and incubated every 7 d for 3 wk. Response variables analyzed were mean percentage of fertility, hatchability, hen-day egg production, egg weight, chick weight at hatch, and embryonic mortality over the 3-wk treatment period. At the end of 3-wk treatment, blood was collected from the hens and analyzed for total protein, globulin, and albumin. Aflatoxin did not negatively affect fertility. However, hen-day egg production (57.6%), percentage of hatchability (67.6%), embryonic mortality (24%), serum total protein, globulin, and albumin were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by AF. Hatch of fertile eggs from the AF-fed hens was significantly lower than the control (67.6 vs. 78.5%). The inclusion of YCR in the AF-treated diet raised the level of hatchability (74.9 vs. 67.6%), egg production (65.83 vs. 57.26%), and lowered embryonic mortality (16.8 vs. 24%). Serum globulin and albumin were lowered in the AF-fed hens but was partially restored with the addition of YCR. The data demonstrated that YCR may enhance the performance of broiler breeder hens that are provided feed contaminated with AF.     

Performance of broiler breeder pullets as influenced by composition of grower and layer diets 1

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of three grower systems upon the subsequent performance of broiler type breeder pullets. The grower systems were full feeding a 10 per cent protein diet, full feeding a 16 per cent protein diet, and a skip‐a‐day feeding of the 16 per cent diet. One‐third of the pullets fed according to each of the feeding programmes were fed on each of three different layer diets. The use of the low protein and the skip‐a‐day feeding resulted in delaying age at sexual maturity. Total rate of egg production was not affected by the grower diet; however, the number of “ settable “ eggs was increased when maturity was delayed.

Performance of the laying hens was not influenced by the composition of the layer diet. Fertility or hatchability was not influenced by composition of either the grower or layer diet. These data would indicate that the low protein diet or the skip‐a‐day feeding system can be effectively used with feeding replacement broiler type birds.     

Effects of supplemental vitamin E during the laying period on the reproductive performance of Taiwan native chickens

1. One-day-old Taiwan Native Breeder female chicks were fed on maize/soybean growing diets without supplemental vitamin E from hatch to 17 weeks of age. After 17 weeks the birds (n = 300) were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments and fed on maize/soybean laying diets supplemented with 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg of vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate), respectively, until 46 weeks of age. The variates measured included: age at first egg, feed consumption (FC), feed efficiency (FE), egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), egg specific gravity (ESG), eggshell strength (ESS), fertility and hatchability. 2. The addition of 120mg/kg of vitamin E lowered the first EW (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the age or body weight (BW) of pullets at first egg or mortality rate to 46 weeks of age among the treatments. FE and egg mass were improved (P<0.05) in pullets fed 80 mg/kg of supplemental vitamin E. A significant increase in EP was observed after peak EP in pullets given 80 mg/kg of supplemental vitamin E. However, this favourable effect decreased as supplemental vitamin E exceeded 80 mg/kg. 3. From 17 to 46 weeks of age, egg quality (ESG and ESS) decreased with age. However, there was no correlation between age and fertility or hatchability during the experimental period, suggesting that egg quality is more age-sensitive than reproductive performance for breeder pullets. 4. Compared with the control, fertility and hatchability of all eggs set for the treatment with 80 mg/kg supplemental vitamin E increased by 7.7 and 13.4%, respectively. There was no difference in the hatchability of fertile eggs. 5. These results suggest that using supplemental vitamin E during the laying period can improve the reproductive performance of breeder pullets. The addition of 80 mg/kg of vitamin E obtained the best performance in EP, egg mass, FE (feed/egg), hatchability and fertility.     

Effect of low protein diets for growing Leghorn pullets upon subsequent laying performance

An experiment was conducted with White Leghorn pullets to study the effect on laying performance of dietary protein content and amino acid supplementation during the growing period. From 0 to 6 weeks of age birds fed on diets containing either 149 g protein/kg supplemented with methionine and lysine or 182 g protein/kg grew faster than those fed on a diet containing 149 g protein/kg alone. However, only those fed on the supplemented diet utilised their food more efficiently. From 7 to 20 weeks of age neither body weight gain nor food utilisation was affected by the dietary protein content. Pullets fed the low protein diet supplemented with 2 g methionine/kg and 2.5 g lysine/kg during the period of 0 to 6 weeks of age had significantly better egg production than birds fed the low protein diet alone. The dietary protein content during 7 to 20 weeks of age did not influence subsequent egg production.     

饲粮中添加植物精油对黄羽肉种鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质、孵化性能、生殖器官发育以及血浆和肝脏生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加植物精油对黄羽肉种鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质、孵化性能、生殖器官发育以及血浆和肝脏生化指标的影响。选择288只产蛋率和体重接近的45周龄岭南黄羽肉种母鸡,随机分为4个组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加10、20、30 mg/kg植物精油。试验期10周。结果显示：1)饲粮中添加植物精油对黄羽肉种鸡的平均日产蛋重、料蛋比、平均蛋重、产蛋率、合格蛋率均无显著影响(P>0.05)。2)对照组的蛋白高度显著低于其他各组(P<0.05),对照组的哈氏单位显著低于10和20 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05),对照组的蛋壳厚度显著低于20 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05)。3)对照组的受精蛋孵化率显著低于10 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05)。4)对照组的卵巢系数显著低于10和20 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05),对照组的输卵管重量和输卵管系数显著低于10 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05)。5)对照组的血浆低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量显著高于20 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0...     

低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对黄羽肉种鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质、孵化性能和氮排放的影响

本试验旨在研究低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对黄羽肉种鸡生产性能、蛋品质、孵化性能和氮排放的影响.选用30周龄健康的快大型岭南黄羽肉种母鸡288只,根据体重和产蛋率相近原则,随机分为4个组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡.各组饲粮粗蛋白质(CP)水平分别为16％(对照组)、15％、14％、13％,各组的赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、色氨酸、...