Department of Animal Nutrition, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi Veterinary College, Ranchi-834007, India
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
324 grower chicks (11 wks old) of commercial layer strain were divided into 9 equal groups and further subdivied into 6 sub groups of 6 each and ffd 3 levels of calorie (0,15 and 30%) and protein (0, IS, and 25%) restriction in a 3 x 3 factorial design experiment. The subsequent effect on laying was also studied with control layer mash. The body weighh tains and feed efficiency of growers were significantly (P<0.01) lower at 15 and 30% calorie restrictions than that of control while during laying periods the same were non-significant among different groups. The feed consumption during growing as well as laying periods indicated non-significant differences among different treatment groups. The average egg production (% hen day) on 25% protein restriction were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that at 0 and 15% protein restrictions. However, the difference among the calorie restricted groups were non-signiflcant. The calorie-protein restricted diets had no effect on egg quality. The lowest feed cost was observed in 15% calorie (Rs. 4.37/10 eggs) and protein (Rs. 4.27/10 eggs) restricted groups, suggesting that this was the most economical level of calorie and protein restrictions during growing period in commercial layer chicks.
