Influence of dietary energy, nutrient density and environmental temperature on pullet performance in early lay

1. Alterations in dietary metabolisable energy (ME) concentration had a limited influence on food and nutrient intakes and egg mass output of hens in early lay kept at the prevailing air (10 degrees to 24 degrees C), cold (6 degrees to 16 degrees C) or hot (25 degrees to 35 degrees C) temperatures. 2. Energy intakes were not improved by increasing the dietary concentrations of nutrients other than energy. 3. At prevailing air and cold temperatures all dietary ME-nutrient density combinations allowed hens to meet the recommended daily protein intake but only hens fed the most concentrated diets were able to meet this recommendation at hot temperatures. 4. Even the highest intakes of ME and protein achieved at hot temperatures failed to increase egg mass output to the values attained on any diet at cold temperatures.     

Comparison between concentrated complete diets and self‐selection for feeding sexually‐maturing pullets at hot and cold temperatures

1. Pullets in late growth and early lay were maintained at hot (25° to 35°C) or cold (6° to 16°C) ambient temperatures and either fed complete diets or allowed to self‐select nutrients from separate energy‐ and protein‐rich foods.

2. Manipulating the metabolisable energy (ME) and/or nutrient density (ND) of complete layer diets failed to improve egg output at hot temperatures to that obtained at cold temperatures.

3. At both temperatures self‐selection increased protein, but not ME, intake. This increased egg output and body weight gain at the hot, but not cold, temperatures. At the hot temperatures pullets fed by self‐selection were the only ones to gain weight between sexual maturity and 28 weeks of age.

4. Nutrient intake patterns, related to each pullet's physiological age of sexual maturity, identified distinctive changes in protein intake and the selected protein: ME intake ratio of pullets fed by self‐selection. Pullets attempted to maintain a preferred protein:ME intake ratio, irrespective of the markedly different intakes of ME and protein at the two temperatures.

5. Pullets trained to self‐select nutrients from separate energy‐ and protein‐rich foods are better able to sustain egg output and body weight at sexual maturity when food intake is limited by high ambient temperatures.     

The use of low‐protein diets in the 12‐ to 18‐week period of light hybrid pullets

Three diets, containing nearly 12.5 MJ/kg (3.0 kcal ME/g) and 14.6, 11.3 and 9.1 % crude protein, were fed to 1680 light‐hybrids from 12 to 18 weeks of age. Body weight at 18 weeks was depressed by 5 and 9% and age at sexual maturity delayed by 2.4 d and 2.8 d for groups fed the intermediate and lowest protein diets respectively. Mortality during the experiment was slightly higher in the group receiving the higher protein diet. There were no consistent or significant treatment differences in mortality during the laying period. Both hen‐day rate of lay and egg weight decreased slightly and insignificantly but progressively with decreasing protein level of diets fed in the 12‐ to 18‐week period. Savings in food costs in the 12‐ to 18‐week period from feeding the cheaper lower‐protein diets were more than offset by the reductions in egg output and returns which resulted.     

Effects of constant environmental temperatures on the performance of laying pullets

1. Two experiments are described in which laying pullets maintained at constant temperatures were fed a range of diets with a view to defining optimum combinations of temperature and nutrient intake. 2. In the first experiment, all combinations of 6 temperatures (15 degrees, 18 degrees, 21 degrees, 24 degrees, 27 degrees and 30 degrees C) 9 diets (three protein concentrations and three energy contents) and two stocks were tested for 34 weeks using 4320 pullets. In experiment 2, all combinations of three rearing temperatures, three laying temperatures (18 degrees, 22.5 degrees and 27 degrees C) three diets (protein concentration) and two stocks were tested for 61 weeks using 2160 pullets. 3. As anticipated, higher dietary protein concentrations were needed to maintain egg output at higher temperatures. If diets suplying adequate amino acid intakes were provided, egg output was unaffected by temperatures in the range 15 degrees to 27 degrees C although, at the highest temperature, egg weight was slightly reduced and rate of lay (particularly in the later part of the laying year) was increased. At 30 degrees C, egg output was depressed whichever diet was fed. 4. Dietary energy content had small but significant effects on egg weight and egg output but did not interact with temperature. It was not possible to maintain egg weight or egg output at 30 degrees C by feeding a high energy, high protein diet. 5. Estimated heat output of the birds increased during the course of the experiment at the lower temperatures but decreased with time at 30 degrees C. Feather loss occurred earlier at the lower temperatures and this is interpreted as an effect of temperature on the timing of the annual moult, which also accounts for the better persistency of lay observed at 27 degrees C.     

Effect of dietary amino acids and metabolisable energy on the performance of broilers kept at high temperatures

Increasing dietary metabolisable energy (ME) at particular amino acid: ME ratios significantly improved growth and food utilisation of broilers kept at moderate (18 to 26 degrees C) and high (25 to 35 degrees C) ambient temperatures during the finishing period from 22 d of age. The optimum amino acid: ME ratio varied with dietary ME concentration in the hot, but not in the moderate environment. Relatively greater increases in food intake and growth rate occurred in the hot environment when dietary ME was increased and the amino acid: ME ratio was reduced. The minimum rate of food intake did not coincide with the period of maximum temperature. Increasing the dietary protein at particular ME concentrations had little or no effect on the food intake and growth rate of birds kept at high temperatures. Supplementation with dietary fat had no beneficial effect on performance at high temperatures. The rectal temperatures of birds in the hot environment increased with age and, towards the end of the finishing period, when higher energy diets were fed.     

The effect of dietary energy and protein levels on production in breeding female ostriches

1. In a study spanning two breeding seasons, we assessed the effect of different dietary energy and protein levels on body mass, body condition, and egg production of female ostriches. 2. During the first breeding season, groups were given diets with energy concentrations of 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 MJ/kg dry mass (DM) metabolisable energy (ME) and protein concentrations of 135, 150 and 165 g/kg. In the second breeding season, groups were given diets with ME of 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 MJ/kg and protein contents of 105, 120 and 135 g/kg. 3. Body mass of birds on diets of 7.5 and 8.5 MJ/kg ME decreased significantly in the course of the breeding season compared with birds fed on diets with higher energy contents and body measurements decreased, suggesting a loss of body condition. 4. Females fed on diets containing only 7.5 MJ/kg ME produced significantly fewer eggs at significantly longer intervals, resulting in fewer chicks hatched. 5. There was no significant difference in egg mass, initial chick mass, chick survival to one month of age and body mass of chicks at one month. 6. Dietary protein concentrations had no effect on egg production, egg mass, hatchability, initial chick mass, chick survival or chick mass at one month old. 7. The female ostriches regained their original body mass during the 4-month rest period between breeding seasons, but significant differences in some parameters during the second breeding season suggest that they may not have fully recovered their body condition. 8. A dietary energy content of 7.5 MJ/kg proved to have an adverse effect on egg production by breeding female ostriches, and it may be concluded from this study that a diet containing 8.5 MJ ME/kg DM and 105 g/kg protein should be regarded as the minimum that can be used for breeding female ostriches without compromising egg production.     

Protein and energy self-selection by turkey hens: reproductive performance

1. The influence of protein and energy self-selection on the reproductive performance of turkey hens was investigated. Large White turkey hens were fed on either a complete diet (185 g CP/kg, 11.30 MJ ME/kg) or were provided with a choice between a high protein-low energy diet (348 g CP/kg, 7.74 MJ ME/kg) and a high energy-low protein diet (81 g CP/kg, 13.39 MJ ME/kg). 2. Egg production, egg weight, and the fertility and hatchability of eggs produced were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments (P greater than 0.05). 3. While energy intake was not significantly different between groups, protein consumption decreased by approximately 40% (P less than or equal to 0.001) among self-selecting hens compared to hens fed on the complete diet. This resulted in a 10% (P less than or equal to 0.05) reduction in the food intake in the self-selecting birds.     

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.     

Food intake of the laying hen following crop loads of maize oil and other nutrients

The metabolisable energy (ME) of the diet of laying hens at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 20 degrees C was abruptly changed from 10.9 MJ/kg to 12.9 MJ/kg, or vice versa. Food intake during the next 14 d was significantly reduced by the low ME diet and was increased by the high ME diet, that is, the expected compensatory changes in food intake did not occur. Laying hens given the same change of diet as above but kept at 32 degrees C did not show any change in food intake within 14 d. Thus ME intake increased with the high ME diet and decreased with the low ME diet. Daily doses of 10 ml maize oil/kg body weight given directly into the crop of laying hens at a Ta of 20 degrees C, resulted in an immediate, significant, reduction of food intake such that total ME intake remained the same as with normal feeding. Daily doses of 3 ml maize oil/kg, given as before, resulted in an immediate, significant, reduction in food intake at a Ta of 20 degrees C but at a Ta of 32 degrees C food intake remained unchanged; consequently daily ME intake increased. Loading the crop with glucose or sucrose, at Ta 20 degrees C, in quantities which provided a similar ME as 3 ml maize oil/kg, reduced food intake but the adjustment was less precise and daily ME intake increased. Loading with glycerol or protein hydrolysate decreased both food and ME intake. Crop loads of starch were as effective as maize oil in bringing about a significant and compensatory reduction of food intake. Similar volumes of water or liquid paraffin placed in the crop did not affect food or ME intake. A similar weight or cellulose placed in the crop reduced food and ME intake.     

Influence of dietary protein and sex on walking ability and bone parameters of broilers

1. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary protein on the walking ability and bone parameters of broilers reared under summer temperatures which ranged from 26 to 32C(+/-2C). 2. Three different dietary protein combinations were used. The diets (per kg) were: low protein with 205 g crude protein and 12.94 MJ ME, 184 g crude protein and 12.75 MJ ME; medium protein with 219 g crude protein and 12.99 MJ ME, 201 g crude protein and 12.87 MJ ME; and high protein with 238 g crude protein and 12.99 MJ ME, 216 g crude protein and 12.96 MJ ME from 0 to 4 and 4 to 7 weeks of age, respectively. Body weights of birds were recorded and birds' walking ability (gait scoring) were scored for each bird, according to 3 categories (completely normal to immobile, at 4 and 7 weeks). Tibia parameters and tibia plateau angles were also determined at 7 weeks. 3. Birds fed on the low protein were lighter than those fed on the medium or high protein diets. At 7 weeks, birds with poor walking ability weighed 149 g less than birds with no walking difficulty. 4. Bone parameters were not affected by dietary protein, sex or gait score. There was a significantly positive correlation between bone strength and radiographic density. Bone strength was also significantly correlated with bone weight and length.     

饲粮不同代谢能、粗蛋白质水平对新杨绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能、蛋品质及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在通过研究饲粮不同代谢能、粗蛋白质水平对新杨绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期(44~56周龄)生产性能、蛋品质及血清生化指标的影响,得出其产蛋后期饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质的适宜配比。选取768羽体重相近的43周龄末新杨绿壳蛋鸡,随机分为6组,每组4个重复,每个重复32羽。采用2×3因子(代谢能水平为10.87和11.08 MJ/kg,粗蛋白质水平为15.00%、15.50%和16.00%)设计试验,共设计6种饲粮。试验预试期1周,正试期12周。结果表明:1)饲粮不同代谢能、粗蛋白质水平对绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋率和料蛋比有显著影响(P0.05),饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平在产蛋率上表现出极显著的交互作用(P0.01),其中,高能低蛋组(代谢能为11.08 MJ/kg,粗蛋白质为15.00%)产蛋率最高,料蛋比最低。2)饲粮较高粗蛋白质水平(16.00%)能显著提高绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期鸡蛋的哈氏单位(P0.05);饲粮较高代谢能水平(11.08 MJ/kg)能显著提高绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期鸡蛋的蛋黄颜色(P0.05);饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平在蛋品质上未表现出显著的交互作用(P0.05)。3)高能低蛋组绿壳蛋鸡血清尿素氮含量最低;饲粮较高代谢能水平(11.08 MJ/kg)能显著降低绿壳蛋鸡血清总胆固醇含量(P0.05)。综上,在本试验条件下,饲粮代谢能、粗蛋白质水平分别为11.08 MJ/kg和15.00%时,更有利于绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能的发挥和蛋品质的改善。     

Effect of diet and natural variations in climates on the performance of laying hens

1. Laying hens raised in 3 natural tropical environments were fed on 2 series of diets with a view to defining the optimum combination of climate and dietary energy.

2. A combination of 3 growing climates, 3 laying climates (temperate, hot dry, hot humid), and 2 dietary energy concentrations (10.03 and 11.70 MJ ME/kg with protein concentrations proportional to energy) were tested for 46 weeks using 432 point‐of‐lay pullets.

3. Both growing and laying climates significantly affected most traits measured during the laying period. The patterns of egg production showed good persistency in all environments and differences observed reduced with age.

4. The difference between the high and low energy intake reduced at high ambient temperatures. Feeding low energy diets did not affect mean age at first egg, rate of lay or the egg output in the hot dry environment, nor egg weight in either hot dry or hot humid climates. Rather, feeding low energy diets resulted in improved body weight change in all 3 laying environments.

5. The growing climate and diet interacted significandy on body weight change, while highly significant interactions between laying climate and diet occurred on rate of lay, food and energy intake and egg weight during the laying period.     

Influence of dietary energy on bird performance,carcase parts yields and nutrient composition of breast meat of heterozygous naked neck broilers reared at natural optimum and summer temperatures

1. Heterozygous naked neck birds were raised under natural spring (average 21.2°C) and summer temperatures (average 27.1°C) to investigate the influence of dietary energy on broiler performance, carcase yield and nutrient composition of breast meat. 2. Birds were fed on a low energy diet of 12.12 MJ ME/kg, a medium energy diet of 12.96 MJ ME/kg and a high energy diet of 13.79 MJ ME/kg with 2 protein concentrations per energy treatment, 230 and 200 g/kg, from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks of age, respectively. 3. Summer rearing resulted in a decrease in body weight, body weight gain, carcase weight and carcase part yields of birds. 4. Increasing dietary energy from 12.12 to 13.79 MJ ME/kg increased body weight at 3 and 7 weeks, body weight gains from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks, carcase weights and relative abdominal fat weights of birds in a linear manner. There was no effect of dietary energy on the nutrient composition of breast meat. 5. It was concluded that there was no differences in dietary energy requirements of heterozygous naked neck birds when grown under natural optimum (21.2°C) and summer temperatures (27.1°C).     

日粮能量和蛋白质水平对蛋鸭生产性能的影响

试验旨在研究日粮能量和蛋白质添加水平对蛋鸭生产性能的影响。采用3×3完全随机试验设计,3个能量添加水平（10.8、11.3和11.8 MJ/kg）和3个蛋白质添加水平（17.0%、19.0%和21.0%）。选用16周龄的金定蛋鸭432只,随机分为9组,即试验1组（10.8 MJ/kg、17.0%）、试验2组（10.8 MJ/kg、19.0%）、试验3组（10.8 MJ/kg、21.0%）、试验4组（11.3 MJ/kg、17.0%）、试验5组（11.3 MJ/kg、19.0%）、试验6组（11.3 MJ/kg、21.0%）、试验7组（11.8 MJ/kg、17.0%）、试验8组（11.8 MJ/kg、19.0%）和试验9组（11.8 MJ/kg、21.0%）,每组4个重复,每个重复12只鸭,试验期90 d。结果表明:①日粮中能量的添加水平显著影响蛋鸭平均蛋重（P<0.05）,而对采食量和料蛋比的影响均无显著影响（P>0.05）;②日粮中蛋白质的添加水平对蛋鸭生产性能的影响差异均不显著（P>0.05）;③在本试验添加水平范围内,能量和蛋白质的互作效应未对蛋鸭的生产性能产生影响（P>0.05）。综合认为,在海南地区产蛋期蛋鸭能量添加水平11.3 MJ/kg,蛋白质添加水平17.0%效果较好。     

Feeding motivation and plasma metabolites in pregnant sows fed diets rich in dietary fiber either once or twice daily

The present study investigated the effects of source and level of dietary fiber (DF) and feeding frequency (once vs. twice daily) on feeding motivation and plasma metabolites at 4 different time points post feeding. Sixty pregnant sows (Sus scrofa, 4 blocks of 15 sows) were allocated to 1 of 5 diets within blocks. Four diets were restricted (approximately 35 MJ ME/d): a barley and wheat control diet (171 g DF/kg DM; 12 g DF/MJ ME), and 3 fiber diets formulated to contain 35% DF by including pectin residue (323 g DF/kg DM; 25 g DF/MJ ME), potato pulp (404 g DF/kg DM; 29 g DF/MJ ME), or sugar beet pulp (367 g DF/kg DM; 25 g DF/MJ ME). The fifth diet was a mixture including an equal amount of the 3 fiber diets offered semi ad libitum (ad libitum access to feed during 6 periods of 1 h starting at 0300, 0600, 1100, 1500, 1800, and 2300; 354 g DF/kg DM; 25 g DF/MJ ME). The experimental period included 2 periods of 4 wk each. Restricted-fed sows were fed once daily (0800 h) during the first period and twice daily (0800 and 1500 h) during the second period, or vice versa. Semi ad libitum fed sows had access to feed 6 times a day in both periods. In each period, the feeding motivation was assessed in an operant conditioning test, and samples of peripheral blood were taken in a balanced design, at 0900, 1200, 1900, and 0700 h, corresponding to 1, 4, 11, and 23 h after feeding for restricted sows fed once daily. No differences in the feeding motivation were found between the 4 restricted diets at any of the time points post feeding, but semi ad libitum fed sows had a decreased feeding motivation (P < 0.001). Among the restricted-fed sows, feeding twice daily resulted in decreased feeding motivation at 1900 h (P < 0.001) and at 0700h (P < 0.05) compared with feeding once daily, but not at 0900 and 1200 h, indicating that feeding twice daily reduced feeding motivation during the night compared with feeding once daily. Among restricted-fed sows, plasma concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were greater in sows fed high-fiber diets compared with the control (P = 0.02). Nonesterified fatty acid was least in sows on the control diet and greatest in sows on the potato diet, whereas sows on the pectin and sugar beet diets were intermediate (P < 0.001). Less diurnal variation in glucose (P < 0.001) was seen in sows on high-fiber diets. In spite of the found effects on plasma metabolites, the applied level of fiber in the diet of restrictedly fed sows did not reduce their feeding motivation irrespective of fiber source.     

Energy and protein concentration of broiler rations in Cuba. 2. Female broilers in winter

Four energy concentrations (10.5, 11.5, 12.6 and 13.6 MJ ME) and four protein concentrations (15.0, 17.5, 20.0 and 22.5% CP) were tested with a total of 1,900 female broilers of the breed White Plymouth Rock in their first 56 days of life in 16 experiment groups. The animals were kept in cages and were directly exposed to the natural Cuban winter temperatures from their 15th day of life. As six repetitions were carried out in every test group, the results could be variance-analytically calculated. In winter the female broilers of the breed White Plymouth showed a lower intake of feed, metabolic energy and crude protein than male animals. They achieved a lower live weight, lower amount of body protein and fat and worse feed, protein and energy utilisation. Possibilities are shown to meet the crude protein and energy requirement in monophase feeding systems with 11.5 MJ ME and 20% CP or with 12.6 MJ ME and 17.5 or 20% CP.     

饲粮代谢能及粗蛋白质水平对绍兴鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及血浆生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮代谢能(ME)及粗蛋白质(CP)水平对绍兴鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及血浆生化指标的影响,探讨绍兴鸭饲粮中代谢能及粗蛋白质的适宜水平。采用3×3二因子完全随机分组设计,选择972只健康的38周龄绍兴鸭,随机分为9个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复18只鸭。饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质各设3个水平,代谢能水平:11.30、10.88、10.46 MJ/kg;粗蛋白质水平:18%、17%、16%。试验期为12周。结果表明:1)饲粮代谢能水平对绍兴鸭产蛋率、平均蛋重、平均日采食量和料蛋比均无显著影响(P0.05),但饲粮代谢能水平显著影响了绍兴鸭日产蛋重(P0.05);饲粮代谢能水平为11.30 MJ/kg时,日产蛋重最高,料蛋比最低。饲粮粗蛋白质水平对产蛋率、平均蛋重、日产蛋重、平均日采食量、料蛋比均无显著影响(P0.05);饲粮粗蛋白质水平为18%时,产蛋率及日产蛋重最高。2)蛋黄色泽随饲粮代谢能水平升高而显著升高(P0.05),但随饲粮粗蛋白质水平的升高而显著下降(P0.05),且饲粮代谢能与粗蛋白质水平对蛋黄色泽存在显著的交互作用(P0.05)。3)饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平对血浆中总蛋白、白蛋白含量无显著影响(P0.05)。饲粮代谢能水平增加显著提高了肝脏中甘油三酯的含量(P0.05)。随饲粮粗蛋白质水平升高,肝脏中脂肪含量有降低的趋势(P=0.08)。由此可见,在本试验中,饲粮代谢能水平为11.30 MJ/kg、粗蛋白质水平为18%时,绍兴鸭的生产性能达到最佳。     

Various photoperiods and Biomittent lighting during rearing for broiler breeders subsequently transferred to open-sided housing at 20 weeks

1. Cobb broiler breeders were fed to achieve typical body weight targets (2.1 kg at 20 weeks) on 6-, 8-, 10- or 16-h fully or intermittently illuminated (Biomittent) photoperiods in controlled-environment housing to 20 weeks, then moved to open-sided housing and 16-h photoperiods to 60 weeks. 2. At each photoperiod, birds given Biomittent lighting had heavier body weights up to 42 d, lighter body weights between 49 and 140 d, but similar body weights at sexual maturity. 3. Irrespective of lighting type, birds given 8-h photoperiods matured 3 to 4 d earlier than 6- or 10-h birds, but all matured=15 d before 16-h birds. 4. There were no significant differences between the 6-, 8- or 10-h groups for total eggs, mean egg weight or egg mass output, but all three produced=13 more, but =0.5 g smaller, eggs and =0.83 kg more egg mass to 60 weeks than 16-h birds. The proportion of abnormally large eggs was low (0.73/bird) and similar for all lighting groups. Egg production for a given period after sexual maturity was similar for all groups, and so differences among groups could be explained by the differences in age at sexual maturity.     

Influence of temperature, dietary energy, nutrient concentration and self-selection feeding on the retention of dietary energy, protein and calcium by sexually-maturing egg-laying pullets.

1. On a daily temperature cycle of 25 to 35 degrees C and during the onset of lay, gross energy in droppings were increased significantly by 3 to 5%. There were no changes in energy metabolisability. Overall, less energy was excreted and energy metabolisability was improved on higher energy diets. 2. Crude protein and calcium losses decreased and their retention efficiencies increased with the onset of lay. Less protein and calcium were lost at the high temperature with corresponding increases in retention. Less protein and more calcium were lost on the higher energy diet. 3. Crude protein excretion was increased and calcium excretion reduced with self-selection feeding. Energy metabolisability and crude protein retention efficiency were reduced by this feeding practice.     

饲料代谢能水平对农大3号小型蛋鸡生产性能的影响

180只140日龄的农大3号小型蛋鸡随机平均分为A、B、C、D、E五组,每组6个重复,每个重复6只鸡,体重大小基本一致,各组间生产性能差异不显著。分别饲喂代谢能水平11.5MJ/kg、11.3MJ/kg、11.1MJ/kg、10.9MJ/kg和10.7MJ/kg的饲料,其他营养成分含量设计上保持一致。通过30周的观察,发现在产蛋高峰前饲喂稍低能值的饲料(10.9MJ/kg)有利于采食量的增加和产蛋率的迅速上升。在一定饲料代谢能值范围内,饲料能值的高低对小型蛋鸡采食量影响不显著,所以从产蛋高峰期开始,必须使用代谢能水平较高的日粮,才能满足小型蛋鸡维持高产蛋率对能量的需求。综合来看,饲料代谢能为11.3MJ/kg时,小型蛋鸡有较高的产蛋量和饲料报酬。