No abstract

In a 4 x 2 factorial experiment, 672 White Leghorn hens were given diets with four levels (0, 10,20 and 40 g kg-I) of sunflower seeds and two levels (7.0 and 8.0 g kg-I) of dietary lysine from 43 to 67 weeks of age. The inclusion of increasing levels of sunflower seeds in the diet increased (P

From 8 to 20 weeks of age crossbred pullets were offered a protein concentrate plus either wheat, millet or paddy rice as crushed or whole grain. These pullets were then fed on three laying diets which differed in either methionine content or bulk density. In the growing period pullets given whole grains were heavier, and ate more protein-concentrate and hard grit than those given crushed grains. In the laying period they matured earlier, laid more eggs and utilised food more efficiently than the others. Pullets fed on wheat consumed more hard grit and utilised food more efficiently than those given millet or paddy rice. Pullets fed on millet had a higher linoleic acid content in their livers and laid larger eggs than those reared on wheat. Pullets reared on paddy rice matured later and laid heavier eggs than those reared on wheat. Methionine content and bulk density of the laying diets had no effect on egg production.

No abstract

A BS TRA CTIn two 2 x 4 factorial experiments the laying performance of 768 White Leghorn x Australorp hens given diets based on either meat and bone meal (MBM) or soya bean meal (SBM) as the principal protein supplements, each supplemented with either four levels (0, 80, I60 and 240 g kg-') of rice pollard or four levels (85-74; 93-105; 113422 and 136141 mg kg-') of manganese, was measured. In both experiments, the hens given the SBM diets laid heavier eggs with lower yolk colour than those given the MBM diets. The inclusion of 80 g kg-' or more of rice pollard in either MBM or SBM diets increased egg weight and the percentage of 65 g and 60 g grade eggs. The egg weight response to diets with 160 and 240 g kg-' rice pollard was not greater than that for diets with 80 g kg-I rice pollard. Rate of lay was reduced and body weight increased on diets with 80 and 160 g kg-l rice pollard but not on the diet with 240 g kg-I rice pollard. Feed conversion efficiency was higher on the diets with I60 and 240 g kg-I rice pollard than on the other diets. Rice pollard reduced yolk colour on MBM diets. The specific gravity of eggs on the diets with rice pollard was higher than on the control diets. Increasing the dietary level of rice pollard increased the concentration of linoleic and arachidonic acids and reduced that of palmitic, palmitoleic and oleic acids in egg yolk lipids. Increasing levels (74 to 141 mg kg-') of manganese in the diet had no significant effect on either egg production or egg shell quality characteristics.