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Abstract
In the present experiment the effects of dietary protein content on egg production of hens kept either in conventional cages (CCs) or furnished cages (FCs) were studied. A total of 1088 LSL (Lohmann LSL-Classic Layer) hens were housed in either FCs or CCs and offered high or low protein diets with a protein/energy ratio of 17 or 13, respectively, during three consecutive feeding phases of 20, 16 and 16 weeks, respectively. There was no interaction between the effects of cage design and of dietary treatment on laying performance. Hens kept in FCs consumed less feed than hens in CCs (p<0.05). After the first feeding phase, hens housed in FCs produced fewer eggs (p<0.01) than hens in CCs. No differences in the feed conversion ratio were found between the housing systems. Hens on the low protein diet laid smaller eggs than hens on the high protein diet (p<0.001). No effect of dietary protein on laying rate was found. It can be concluded that dietary protein affects egg production irrespective of the cage type.
This research was supported by Raisio Feed Ltd., Suomen Rehu OY, and Triotec OY and was performed in collaboration with Ovo-Food OY, Finland's Poultry Association, and the Finnish National Veterinary and Food Research Institute. The authors would like to thank Kaarina Karppinen, Ritva Muotila, and Tapani Ratilainen for their skilful technical assistance. Staff at the Animal Nutrition Laboratory of MTT Agrifood Research Finland are also gratefully acknowledged.