Changes in the protein requirements of pullets during the first laying year

Synopsis

A range of protein intakes (5 to 20 g protein/d) was achieved by feeding six diets containing 7 to 14½% protein to a total of 400 pullets for 10 weeks from 28 weeks of age. The same six diets and an additional diet with 16% protein were fed again for 10 weeks from 62 weeks of age. The resulting patterns of egg output were different at the two ages. The birds required more protein at the end of the laying year than at the beginning to sustain any given level of output. This difference in protein requirement was not accounted for by changes in body weight.

It is concluded that measurements of protein input‐output relationships made at one stage in the laying year do not form a satisfactory basis for predicting protein requirement at another stage.