Protein and Energy Intake Requirements for Laying and Non-Laying Hens

Two feeding trials were conducted to study the effects of dietary protein and energy upon feed consumption, nutrient intake and performance of laying and non-laying hens. These trials were conducted in a windowless cage layer house located at the Poultry Research Complex on the East Campus of the University of Nebraska. Environmental conditions were partially controlled within the cage house. Ventilation was regulated by thermostatically electric fans. Artificial light was supplied by incandescent lamps which were controlled with automatic time clocks. The hens were given 14 hours of continuous light and 10 consecutive hours of darkness per day. Higher levels of dietary protein were found to exert a definite but, insignificant effect increasing feed consumption. However, it was concluded that the effect of dietary protein upon feed intake was an indirect one resulting from an increased egg production as protein intake increased with increasing levels of dietary protein. The most prominent effect of increasing levels of dietary energy was to decrease feed consumption. This effect was highly significant in all cases. Advisor: Earl W. Gleave