Further Evaluation of Nonfeed Removal Methods for Molting Programs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate several nonfeed removal methods compared with feed removal for induced molting of laying hens. Art experiment was conducted using 576 Dekalb White hens (69 wk of age) randomly assigned tot of 8 dietary treatments. Two of hew treatments consisted of feed removal for 10 followed by ad libitum access to a 16% CP, corn-soybean meal diet or a 94% corn diet for 18 d. The other 6 treatments provided ad Libitum access for 28 d to diets containing 94% corn, 94% wheat middlings (WM), 71% WM: 23% corn, 47% WM: 47% corn, 95% corn gluten feed, and 94% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) At 28 d, all hens were fed a laying hen diet 16% CP). and production performance was measured for 40 wk The 2 feed removal treatments resulted in total cessation of egg production within 6 d. Egg production of hens fed the 94% WM. 71% WM: 23% corn, corn, corn gluten feed, and 47% WM:47% corn diets all decreased to 6% or less by d 12, 16, 19, 20, and 28, respectively. Egg production of hens fed DDGS never decreased below 18%. Body weight loss ranged from 10% (DDGS) to 26% (10-d feed removal), with the other treatments being similar at 17%. No consistent differences were observed among treatments throughout the 40-wk postmolt period for egg production, egg specific gravity, egg weight, egg yield, or removal treatments versus several nonfeed removal treatments fro ovary and oviduct weights and blood heterophil:lymphocyte ratios during the molt period. In addition, interactive social behaviors were not different throughout the molt period between hens fed the 94% WM and those deprived of feed for 10 d. Our results indicate feeding WM, corn, corn gluten feed, and WM:corn diets are effective nonfeed removal methods for molting laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]