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Impact of Feed Withdrawal and Dietary Calcium Level on Force-Rested Hens

Department of Animal Science, 247 Morrison Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853; Phone: (607) 255-8143; FAX: (607) 255-9829

Correspondence: Kavous Keshavarz

Two experiments attempted to determine two questions: whether the duration of force-rest can be reduced satisfactorily below the standard periods of 10 to 14 days and whether the Ca level during the recovery period can have an effect on performance of force-rested hens. The periods of force-rest were 5, 7, 10, or 14 days; the Ca levels during the recovery period were 1, 2, and 4%. In Experiment 1, egg production and egg mass were greater (P<. 05) for hens experiencing 10 days of force-rest than for those with 5 or 7 days force-rest. Specific gravity was greater (P<. 05) for hens exposed to 10 days of force rest than for hens exposed to 5 days. In Experiment 2, egg production and egg mass did not differ among various force-rest regimens (P>. 05), but increased consistently with the length of the force-rest period. Specific gravity was greater for hens exposed to 14 days than for hens exposed to 5 or 7 days force-rest (P<. 05). Production performance, specific gravity, and bone ash were not influenced by Ca levels during the recovery periods.

Key Words: Ca in the recovery diet • force-rest period • production performance • shell quality