Methods of feed restriction for molt induction in commercial laying hens

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to evaluate methods of quantitative or qualitative feed restriction for inducing molt on the performance of Hy - Line Brown layers in the second lay cycle. Two hundred and twenty - five birds with 88 wks-old Hy - Line Brown were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments: Quant100 - restriction of 100% of the daily amount recommended by lineage manual; Quant75 - restriction of 75% of the daily amount recommended; Quant50 - restriction of 50% of the daily amount recommended; Qual75 - supply of an ad libitum diet with 75% grinded rice hulls and 25% of basal diet; Qual50 - supply of an ad libitum diet with 50% of grinded rice hulls and 50% of basal diet. The feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs and egg mass was similar (P=0.0035 and P=0.0139) between Quant75 and Qual75 methods, in relation to Quant100. The eggs production was similar (P=0.0122) among the hens from Quant75, Quant50 and Qual75 methods, in relation to Quant100. The methods of feed restriction did not alter the eggs density (P=0.8971). Quant75 or Qual75 methods can substitute the conventional method for inducing molt in Hy-Line Brown layers, without modifying the performance in the second lay cycle.