Incorporation of triticale in layer diets

1. Diets containing either maize or triticale were fed unsupplemented or supplemented with meat meal or groundnut oil to White Leghorn pullets for two periods of 11 weeks each.

2. The egg production of birds fed on the unsupplemented triticale diet was significantly higher than that of the birds fed on the unsupplemented maize diet, but was not significantly different from that of the birds fed on the maize plus meat meal diet.

3. Protein quality of the unsupplemented triticale diet as judged by efficiency of nitrogen retention was similar or inferior to that of the unsupplemented maize diet.

4. The higher protein content of triticale and the increased intake of these diets seemed to be responsible for the better performance observed.

5. Addition of groundnut oil to the triticale diet did not improve either egg weight or production.

6. It is concluded that the quantitative substitution for triticale of maize does not adversely affect egg production and egg weight.