Effect of force molting programs on egg production and quality of laying hens

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of force molting programs on egg production and quality of laying hens. Total of 165 white Bovines laying hens at 72 weeks of age were divided into four groups. Birds in-group 1 (control), birds in group 2, 3 and 4 were fasted for 10, 12 and 15 days, respectively. After fasting days in each group, birds were divided into three sub groups (birds fed on a crushed yellow corn, crushed yellow corn supplemented with minerals and vitamins and birds fed on control diet) for three weeks and then birds fed on control diet until the end of the experimental period. Birds attained the peak of egg production at 138, 150 and 158 days after 10, 12 and 15 days fasting periods, respectively. The hen day egg production and egg mass for all treated groups recorded higher (p<0.01) values than those of control, while the egg weight for control group were higher (p<0.01) than those of all treated groups. On the other hand, feed conversion for all fasting groups improved (p<0.01) more than those of control group. During recovery feeding the feed consumption for birds fed layer ration increased (p<0.01) more than those of the birds fed crushed yellow corn and crushed yellow corn with minerals and vitamins. The same trend was followed for eggshell strength. From the present results it can be concluded that fasting white Bovines laying hens for 10, 12 or 15 days to induce moulting improved performance and egg quality as compared with the natural moulting, but recovery feeding after fasting did not have significant effect on hens performance. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.