Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidad Autonoma de Yucatán, Apdo. Postal 4–116, Itzimna, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
The objective of the present study was to compare the production performance and egg quality in hens fed on 3 different digestible amino acid regimes and housed at three stocking densities. One hundred and sixty two light Isa-Babcock B300 laying hens were allocated randomly according to 2, 3 or 4 birds per cage. The birds were fed on different diets: 70 (CP: 14.4%), 90 (CP: 17.37%) and 110% (CP: 21.58%) of essential digestible amino acids requirements. The effect of digestible amino acids concentration was significant (P<0.05) for egg weight, albumin weight and albumin width as well as N dropped and crude protein content of excreta. Hen stocking density affected (P<0.05) only feed intake. It is concluded that 90% of essential digestible amino acids requirements and 4 hens per cage density (40x40 cm) could contribute to reduce N pollution without adversely affecting egg production.
Egg Production, egg quality, digestible amino acids
