A diet formulated from by‐products and indigenous foodstuffs for laying hens

1. The performance of six commercial stocks of laying hens fed on a diet composed of home‐produced foodstuffs, not usually used for human consumption, was compared with that of birds fed on a conventional diet.

2. The experimental diet was calculated to be low in energy and methionine and high in fibre by conventional standards. Birds ate up to 12% more of this diet, but the calculated intakes of energy and methionine were less than those of the corresponding controls.

3. White stocks fed on the experimental diet produced seven eggs less per bird than controls while the production of brown stocks was essentially unaffected.

4. The gross efficiency of energy utilisation for egg production was better with the experimental diet.

Notes

Present address and address for reprints: BOCM SILCOCK LTD, Development Farm, Risborough Road, Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury HP22 5XW.

Present address: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, Laity House, Higher Lux Street, Liskeard, Cornwall.