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Effect of a reduced crude protein, amino acid-balanced diet on hen performance, production costs, and ammonia emissions in a commercial laying hen flock

Burley, H.K., P.H. Patterson and M.A. Elliot
2013

The objective of this study is to determine if the crude protein level in commercial layer diets could be reduced by supplementing selected amino acid to meet the bird’s requirements for production. A total of 50,760 laying hens were allocated to three treatments that were least-cost formulated corn-soybean meal diets. The treatments contained low, medium, or high (control) levels of crude protein supplemented with limiting amino acids. Weekly data collected by the producer included egg production, egg quality measurements, feed costs and egg income reports. Egg production, egg quality, hen body weights and manure measurements did not differ with dietary treatment. Due to current feed ingredient costs, the low and intermediate crude protein diets were less costly and resulted in greater revenue compared with the high crude protein diet. (Note: This study confirms the importance of meeting amino acid requirements necessary to meet commercial production goals. Excessive crude protein in layer diets can be reduced by scientifically balancing amino acid needs with the bird’s needs for amino acids).

Burley, H.K., P.H. Patterson and M.A. Elliot. 2013. Effect of a reduced crude protein, amino acid-balanced diet on hen performance, production costs, and ammonia emissions in a commercial laying hen flock. The Journal of Applied Poultry Research 22(2): 217-228.