The effect of low‐protein grower diets on the subsequent response of pullets to quantitative food restriction during lay

1. The laying responses of pullets fed from 8 weeks of age on a 12.5% protein grower diet and subsequently subjected to food restriction commencing at various times between 20 and 40 weeks of age were compared with those of pullets reared on diets containing 12.5 or 16% protein and given access to food throughout lay.

2. Restricted feeding during lay of pullets reared on the low‐protein diet substantially improved laying performance, the best results being obtained from pullets fed the low‐protein grower diet and restricted from 20 weeks. The laying responses of pullets restricted after peak‐lay at 40 weeks of age were not significantly different from those of birds restricted prior to peak‐lay.

3. Maximal egg production of 81 % over the 48weeks of the experiment was attained on an average daily ME intake of 270 kcal (1130 kJ) and a FCR of 2.06 : 1.

4. It is suggested that food restriction of laying pullets previously reared on low‐protein diets may be successfully utilised prior to peak‐lay provided such restriction is not so severe as to retard the rate of attainment of mature weight and a continued slight gain in weight thereafter.