The influence of various rations during the moult on subsequent egg number and egg quality characteristic in commercial layers

Two hundred and eighty eight egg laying hens, randomly divided into 18 experimental units having 16 birds each, were used during the present study. Before the start of the moult induction all the birds were given a pre-moult treatment of vaccination and medications for one week to eliminate internal parasites and to protect against various diseases. Forty-eight birds (group A), which served as the control were continued on Ration No.3 (16,5% crude protein (C.P.) + 2850 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy (M.E.). The remaining 240 birds were divided into five groups viz. B, C, D, E, and F, which were fasted for 14 days for the induction of moulting. Only water was given to these birds. After that different rations were offered with different C.P, and M.E. contents for 14 days. Restricted feed (Ration No. 3) was given to birds of group B on an alternate day basis (after 48 hours). Corn (9% C. P.), Ration No. 1, (20% C.P. + 2800 Kcal/kg M.E.), Ration No. 2 (15% C.P. + 2700 Kcal/kg M.E.) and Ration No. 3 were offered to the hens of groups C, D, E and F, respectively. All the groups were served with the same feed at the termination of the moulting treatment. Post-moult egg number (5,57 +/- 0,52), egg weight (66,78 +/- 5,41 g) and shell thickness (0,39 +/- 0,04 mm) were significantly higher in birds which were subjected to the induced moult. Among the moulted groups the maximum number of eggs (5,80 +/- 0,48) was produced by the birds given corn during the moult, whereas the maximum egg weight (68,30 5,58) was noted in birds which were given Ration No. 3. Shell thickness was greatest (0,41 +/- 0,04 mm) in birds which were treated with the restricted diet during the moult. Post-moult yolk index, Haugh units and meat spot values did not show any significant variations between the groups