Allonietrie growth patterns in developing laying hen pullets

摘要

Pullet development is essential for good production performance during lay. This study evaluated weekly body weight (BW) gain and organ development of Hy-Line (W80) pullets horn day 0 until 20 weeks of age. Subsequent lay performance was monitored until 35 weeks of age. During the rearing phase up to 17 weeks of age, three dietary treatments were fed. Dietary treatments included the standard breed recommendations, a higher (+10%) and a lower (-10%) density diet. Pullets were dissected every week to measure body composition. The difference in diet density during the rearing period altered both energy and lysine intake. Pullets fed high density diets had a higher B W, a heavier relative fat pad and a heavier relative liver weight at the onset of lay,whereas relative gastro-intestinal tract weight was reduced. Only the hens fed the low density diets entered a negative energy balance. No differences in lay performance until 35 weeks of age were found.