The Effects of Feeding Time and Stocking Density on Performance of Laying Hens

Abstract

This study was carried out with 656 Hysex-Brown layer hen with 58 weeks old. 2 x 4 Multifactorial test setup was used. Egg production, daily feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, damaged egg ratio, body weight and specific gravity datas were examined in laying hens fed at different times and raised at different stocking density. Hens placed in cages as 412.5 and 495 cm 2 /hen and formed 8 groups and feeds were given at 06:00, 9:30, 06:00-06:30 and 09:30-13:30h. The trial was continued for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of egg production, daily feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (P<0.05), and there was no difference in egg weight, damaged egg ratio, body weight and specific gravity (P>0.05). It was determined that egg production was the highest and feed consumption and feed conversion ratio was the lowest in groups with a frequency of 495 cm 2 /chicken and fed at one time at 09:30h. Egg production was the lowest and feed conversion ratio was highest in groups with a frequency of 412.5 cm 2 /hen and fed at 09:30-13:30h. It was also determined that feeding two times at 06:00h and 06:30h increased the feed consumption, but feeding one time at 09:30h decreased the feed consumption.