Effects on egg production of including high residual lipid copra meal in laying hen diets

Abstract

1. The effects on egg production of including copra meals of 220.9 (Copra‐1) and 205.0 (Copra‐2) g residual lipids/kg, in laying hen diets at up to 400 g/kg, were examined in two feeding trials. In a separate experiment, the dry matter retention and ME of a 400 g Copra‐2/kg diet were determined between 6 to 9, 9 to 12 and 12 to 15 d of feeding.

2. Food intakes, egg output and efficiencies of food utilisation (g eggs/g food) of hens fed on Copra‐1 at 100 and 200 g/kg diet were not significantly different from controls; while food intakes at 400 g Copra‐1/kg diet were similar to controls, egg output (6.0% lower), efficiency of food utilisation and body weights of hens were significantly reduced. Hens fed Copra‐2 at 400 g/kg diet had 5.0 and 6.9% lower food intakes and egg output, respectively, and lost body weight compared to controls; however, egg output increased to that of the control group by the 11th week of feeding.

3. Initially, dry matter retention of the 400 g Copra‐2/kg diet was similar to, and ME slightly higher than the control diet; however, both were reduced significantly in the second and third collection periods. The water content of excreta from hens fed on 400 g Copra‐2/kg diet was significantly higher than that from controls.

4. Complete replacement of dietary maize, mainly with copra (experiment 1) led to an increase in pale yolks, with the 400 g Copra‐1/kg diet producing cream‐coloured yolks. Inclusion of maize at 180.6 g/kg of the 400 g Copra‐2/kg diet (experiment 2) resulted in eggs with slightly golden‐yellow yolks.