PAKISTAN
VETERINARY
JOURNAL
     
 
previous page   Pak Vet J, 2001, 21(3): 145-147   next page
 
EFFECT OF FEED RESTRICTION DURING GROWING PERIOD ON LAYING PERFORMANCE OF WHITE LEGHORN HENS
Abdul Waheed Sahota and Bashir Mahmood Bhatti 

Poultry Research Institute. Punjab, Shamsabad Murree Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Abstract   

    The experiment was conducted to study effect of feed restriction during growing period on the subsequent performance of commercial White Leghorn (Babcock) layers. Two hundred and seventy chicks (6-weeks-old) were randomly divided into three equal groups i.e., A, Sand C. The birds in group A were given feed ad libitum (full feeding -FF) while those in groups Sand C maintained on the restricted feeding (RF) were given 10 and 20 percent less feed than the recommended daily feed allowance, respectively from 7 to 9 and 13 to 15 weeks and 20 and 30 percent lesser feed respectively, of the daily allowance from 10 tol2 weeks of age. From 6 weeks onward til158 weeks of age all the groups were fed ad libitum. The results showed reduction (p<0.01) in feed intake and body weight (p<0.05) of pullets and delay in age of sexual maturity (p<0.01) due to feed restriction. During the laying phase a non-significant effect of the feed restriction programme on egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency (feed/dozen eggs), mortality rate and cost of feed/dozen eggs was noted. An overall benefit of Rs.13.54 and 21.54 on RF-I (group-S) and RF-II (group-C), respectively, in comparison to that of FF during the growing period reflect on better economics of feed restriction programme in laying stock under given environmental conditions.    

Key words: Feed restriction, laying performance, growing period, White Leghorn hens.

 
   

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)
ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)



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