The Effects of Rapeseed Meal Fed During the Growing and/or Laying Periods on Mortality and Egg Production in Chickens

Abstract

White Leghorn pullets of two strains were fed soybean or rapeseed meal during either or both the growing period and laying period in two separate experiments. Rapeseed meal may be fed to growing pullets at levels up to 17% of the diet without adversely affecting the subsequent rate of egg production or egg size. Birds fed laying diets containing 19% of rapeseed meal produced a greater egg mass per hen-day and gained more weight during the laying period when the growing diet contained rapeseed meal instead of soybean meal. Birds shifted at sexual maturity from soybean to rapeseed meal as dietary protein supplement undergo metabolic adjustment which retards the attainment of maximum rate of production and induces cannibalism. Both rate of production and egg size were lower when rapeseed meal constituted 19% of the laying diet in replacement of soybean meal as protein supplement. Mortality, exclusive of that resulting from cannibalism, was 4.1% and 4.6% respectively in the two experiments. Death from liver haemorrhage occurred only in birds of one strain which were fed rapeseed meal during the laying period and principally in birds which had been fed rapeseed meal during the growing period as well.

Low Erucic Acid, Low Glucosinolate Rapeseed Meal, with and without Added Gums in the Layer Diet

“…at National Institute of Education Library, Serials Unit on June 9, 2015 http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ Downloaded from (1972), and March et al (1975). It must also be noted that the liver lesions are not unique to birds fed rapeseed meal or rapeseed oil.…”

“…Rapeseed meal fed to laying birds has been variously reported to be without effect on mortality, to result in a slight increase in mortality, and to cause a high incidence of mortality (Jackson, 1969;Summers et al, 1969;Vogt et al, 1969;Clandinin and Robblee, 1970;Hall, 1972;March et al, 1972March et al, , 1975. Although numerous experiments have been conducted on the feeding of rapeseed meal to laying birds, the effect on mortality cannot be evaluated from many of them because the numbers of birds per treatment were insufficient or because the test period was inadequate.…”

Canola Meal for Laying Hens

“…The question of reduced egg size has also been reported with the feeding of canola to laying hens (Summers et al 1969;Leslie and Summers 1972;March et al 1975; Leeson et al 1978; Proudfoot et al 1982).…”

“…There is some evidence to suggest that it may play a role in precipitating a fatty liver and/or hemorrhagic condition with layers (Pearson and Butler 1978;Papas etal.1979;906 CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE number of reports that indicate no liver problems with canola feeding (March et al 1975;Thomas 1978;Proudfoot et ali 1983). The question of reduced egg size has also been reported with the feeding of canola to laying hens (Summers et al 1969;Leslie and Summers 1972;March et al 1975; Leeson et al 1978; Proudfoot et al 1982).…”

The Effect of Feeding a Diet Containing Canola Meal on the Incidence of Fatty Liver Syndrome Among Four Maternal Poultry Meat Breeder Genotypes to 266 Days of Age

“…The inclusion of canola meal in poultry diets levels of canola meal and dietary protein, and has been associated with increased mortality the incidence of Fatty Liver Syndrome G't-S) among Leghorn hens (March et al 1975 Proudfoot 1980, 1981;Meijering 1979;March et al 1975) however, that lower levels of canola meal (6.5%) in meat breeder diets may be tolerated without significant increases in the incidence of FLS (Proudfoot et al 1983).…”