Metabolizable energy levels for semi-heavy laying hens at the second production cycle

This study was carried out to evaluate the energy levels in the diet to obtain better performance rates and quality of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle. One hundred and eighty Bovans Goldline laying hens with 62 weeks of age were used during four 28-day periods. A completely randomized experimental design was used with four metabolizable energy levels (2,650, 2,725, 2,800, 2,875 and 2,950 kcal/kg), each with six replicates of six birds. The energy level of diet did not affect the weight of the egg, yolk, albumen and eggshell, the percentages of yolk, albumen and eggshell, yolk color and egg specific gravity. Feed intake, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs increased significantly with increasing levels of metabolizable energy. Feed intake decreased linearly as the energy level in the diet increased. The metabolizable energy levels showed a quadratic effect on egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs. The metabolizable energy level of 2,830 kcal/kg was the most appropriate to promote better performance and quality of eggs from laying hens in the second production cycle.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Costa,Fernando Guilherme Perazzo, Costa,Janaine Sena da, Goulart,Cláudia de Castro, Figueiredo-Lima,Denise Fontana, Lima Neto,Raul da Cunha, Quirino,Bárbara Josefina de Sousa
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia 2009
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-35982009000500011
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