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The Effect on Postmolt Performance of Different Crude Protein and Energy Levels During a Full-Fed Molt Procedure

Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061

¹ Corresponding author: plrus{at}vt.edu

There is a need to evaluate the different dietary levels of CP and ME needed by the hen and the time sequence during the molt period to feed these levels to simulate a molt similar to that of nature by utilizing full feeding molting procedures. This study was undertaken to determine that nutritional sequence information. The 4-d feed withdrawal molt procedure being used commercially was used to compare the effects of the 3 procedures studied. Very low levels of CP and ME (9.72% CP and 1,103 kcal or 9.72% CP and 1,433 kcal) were fed for 2, 3, and 4 wk to mimic the levels of nutrients consumed by hens during the first 4 wk of the 4-d molt procedure. The equivalent of zero egg production (0.3%) was achieved during wk 2, 3, and 4 of the study (postmolt initiation). The hens achieved 50% production during wk 7 postmolt and peak production, 6 to 8 points below the first cycle, occurred during wk 11 of the study. Body weight reduction ranged from 20 to 29%. The lowest energy level fed for 4 wk was not a desirable molting procedure. Full-fed molting procedures resulted in a significant but acceptable increase in cost of feed over the 4-d procedure.

Key Words: induced molt • energy and protein • low nutrient • egg production