Journal of Applied Animal Research

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.