Effect of different protein and energy levels on production performance of laying hens

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of various feeding regimens having three different dietary energy and protein levels on production performance of of White Leghorn layers using Completely Randomized Design. Three hundred laying hens of White Leghorn each of two hatches I and II were used from 25 to 40 weeks of age. These hens were housed individually in California cage system for individual performance recording and were served as experimental material for the study. Three different feeding regimens {Treatment (T) viz T1(2225 kcal/kg ME with 16% protein), T2(2700 kcal/kg ME with 19.42% protein) and T3(2502 kcal/kg ME with 18% protein)} were offered ad lib to these 300 pullets during the period of 25–40 weeks of age. Each treatment having 10 replicates of 10 birds considering 100 birds per treatment in each hatch. The results showed that dietary treatments had no effect on egg production (No.) up to 25–40 weeks of age and egg weights at different ages. Feed consumption was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the birds fed with 2225 kcal ME/kg with 16% protein as compared to 2502 kcal ME/kg with 18% protein and 2700 kcal ME/kg with 19.42% protein. Birds fed with layer ration containing 2700 kcal ME/kg with 19.42% protein, showed significantly (P<0.05) higher body weights at 32, 36 and 40 weeks of age as compared to other diets. Feed efficiency in terms of feed consumption/egg was better in 2700 kcal ME/kg with 19.42% protein followed by 2502 kcal ME/kg with 18% protein and 2225 kcal ME/kg with 16% protein. Return over feed cost was significantly (P<0.05) higher in 2225 kcal ME/kg with 16% protein followed by 2502 kcal ME/kg with 18% protein and 2700 kcal ME/kg with 19.42% protein. The low energy and low protein in layer ration (2225 kcal ME/kg with 16% protein) can be recommended for IWN strain of White Leghorns with no adverse effect on growth and egg production.