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Protein and Energy Interrelationships for Laying Hens
HYGROMYCIN AND REPRODUCTION
1952. The effect of Terramycin and vitamin Bi2 on hatchability. Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 79: 242-244. Peterson, C. F., A. C. Wiese, R. V. Dahlstrom and C. E. Lampman, 1952. The influence of vitamin B J2 and antibiotics on hatchability. Poultry Sci. 3 1 : 129-132. Sizemore, J. R., R. J. Lillie and H. R. Bird, 1952. The influence of Aureomycin in the chick diet upon subsequent reproductive performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 3 1 : 935936. Sizemore, J. R., R. J. Lillie, C. A. Denton and H. R. Bird, 1953. The influence of Aureomycin in the chick diet upon subsequent reproductive performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 32: 618-624. Sizemore, J. R., R. J. Lillie, H. R. Bird and C. A. Denton, 1955. Further studies on the influence of Aureomycin in the chick diet upon subsequent reproductive performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 34: 432^134. Sunde, M. L., J. G. Halpin and W. W. Cravens, 1952. The effect of vitamin B K supplements and antibiotic feed supplements on egg production and hatchability. Poultry Sci. 3 1 : 617620.
Protein and Energy Interrelationships for Laying Hens ROBERT J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON U. S. Department of Agriculture' (Received for publication October 13, 1964)
P
ROTEIN X energy interrelationships for optimum reproductive performance of chickens have been discussed by Thornton and Whittet (I960), Frank and Waibel (1960), and Touchburn and Naber (1962). Considerable evidence has appeared in literature to indicate a disparity regarding protein X energy interrelationships, and Harms (1964) has attempted to discuss the reasons for the discrepancies. A majority of studies on protein X en1 Poultry Research Branch, Animal Husbandry Research Division, ARS, Beltsville, Maryland.
ergy interrelationships involved Single Comb White Leghorns, or Leghorn-type strain crosses, and in many cases, what was considered a low energy level by one investigator was considered a high energy level by another investigator. For example, the low and high energy values of Frank and Waibel (1960) ranged from 634 to 947 and from 984 to 1250 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, respectively, as contrasted with a low and high energy level of 640 and 930 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, respectively, (Miller et al., 1957).
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and streptomycin in diets for breeder hens. Poultry Sci. 32: 176-178. Day, J. E., A. M. Horton and J. E. Hill, 1961. Anthelmintic value of hygromycin B when used in broiler rations and its effect along with certain drugs on the performance of broilers. Poultry Sci. 40:417-422. Elam, J. F., R. L. Jacobs and J. R. Couch, 1953. The effect of prolonged feeding of antibiotics upon performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 32: 792-794. Foster, R. G., I l l , C. B. Ryan, R. D. Turk and J. H. Quisenberry, 1960. Continuous feeding of hygromycin as a poultry anthelmintic and its effect upon laying house performance. Poultry Sci. 39: 492^99. Halick, J. V., and J. R. Couch, 1951. Antibiotics in mature fowl nutrition. Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 76: 58-60. Lillie, J. R., and H. R. Bird, 1952. The effect of antibiotic supplements upon hatchability and upon growth and viability of progeny. Poultry Sci. 3 1 : 513-518. Lillie, J. R., and J. R. Sizemore, 1954. The effect of antibiotics on egg production of New Hampshires. Poultry Sci. 3 3 : 427^128. Mariakulandai, A., T. Myint and J. McGinnis,
753
754
R. J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON
Therefore, a series of experiments was initiated to determine the effect of protein on the reproductive performance of several breeds of chickens fed two energy levels. The results are presented herein. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
TABLE 1.—Diets used in experiments 1, 2, and 3 Dietary Treatment (Protein-energy)
Constants 1 Variables: Ground corn Soybean meal, 44% protein Lard, stabilized Oat hulls Analysis2 Crude protein, % Calcium, % Total phosphorus, % P.E. Cal./lb.' Calorie/protein
12-L
12-H
14-L
14-H
16-L
16-H
18-L
% 44.5
%
%
%
%
%
25.3
44.5
25.3
44.5
25.3
46.4 2.0 0.1 7.0
69.0 5.5 0.2
44.9 6.5 0.1 4.0
63.5 11.0 0.2
37.0 12.5 2.0 4.0
57.0 16.2 1.5
26.0 22.0 4.5 3.0
45.7 24.0 5.0
11.9 2.2 0.7 737 61.9
12.1 2.3 0.8 933 77.1
13.7 2.2 0.7 747 54.5
14.0 2.3 0.8 905 64.5
15.6 2.2 0.8 749 48.0
15.8 2.3 0.8 900 56.9
18.6 2.3 0.8 754 40.5
18.3 2.3 0.8 922 50.4
% 44.5
18-H
% 25.3
1 Low energy diets (%): Ground wheat 5, wheat middlings 15, wheat bran 10, alfalfa meal 5, menhaden fish meal 2, distiller's dried solubles 0.5, steamed bone meal 2, limestone flour 4, iodized salt 0.7, commercial vitamin-trace mineral mix 0.3. High energy diets (%): Ground wheat 10, alfalfa meal 5, menhaden fish meal 2, distiller's dried solubles 0.5, steamed bone meal 3.8, limestone flour 3, iodized salt 0.7, commercial vitamin-trace mineral mix0.3. 2 Protein analysis was obtained in the laboratory, whereas all other analysis were calculated. 8 Productive energy values were obtained from Feedstuffs Analysis Table (Hubbell, 1958) and Table 18 (Titus, 1957).
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Meat-type New Hampshires, Rhode Island Reds, Single Comb White Leghorns, and egg-type Barred Rocks were used in Experiments 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The pullets in Experiments 1, 2, and 3 were hatched in March, and those in Experiment 4 were hatched in January, all hatches being obtained in different years. In all experiments, the pullets were fed a replacement diet containing animal and vegetable protein supplements and adequate in all known nutrients. All breeds except White Leghorns had access to range from 8 weeks of age to housing time (20-22 weeks of age). The pullets were then distributed into lots of 30, 24, 26, and 23 each, in Experiments 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, on the basis of individual body
weights and sexual maturity. Duplicate lots per dietary treatment were used in all experiments except Experiment 2. All lots were maintained on sawdust litter and subjected to a 14-hour light regime. The duration of the studies was 44 weeks for Experiments 1,2, and 3, and 32 weeks for Experiment 4. The composition of the diets used and pertinent analytical data are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Daily trapnest records, feed consumption and body weight data were maintained on a 28-day basis. The egg weight data and hatchability data were obtained from all the eggs laid on a given day, one day a week for the duration of the experiment. At least 6 progeny performance studies in each of the 4 experiments were conducted to determine the effect of maternal diet upon the progeny performance. The data were subjected to the analysis of variance. Duncan's multiple range test (Kramer, 1957) was applied to the subclasses that were found to be significantly different.
PROTEIN AND ENERGY1
755
TABLE 2.—Diets used in experiment 4 Dietary Treatment (protein--energy) 10-L Constants 1 Variables Ground corn Soybean meal, 44% protein Oat hulls
-%
%
12-L
%
12-H
%
14-L
%
14-H
%
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
63.0 3.5 15.0
81.0 0.5
74.5 7.0
—
51.5 15.0 15.0
69.5 12.0
—
56.5 10.0 15.0
9.9 2.5 0.7 767 77.7
9.9 2.5 0.7 948 95.7
12.2 2.5 0.7 733 60.1
12.2 2.5 0.7 913 75.0
14.0 2.5 0.7 707 50.5
14.0 2.5 0.7 887 63.4
—
1 Diet constants (%): Ground wheat 2, wheat bran 2, alfalfa meal 5, menhaden fish meal 0.5, distiller's dried solubles 0.5, steamed bone meal 3.5, limestone flour 4, iodized salt 0.7, commercial vitamin-trace mineral mix 0.3. 2 See footnote 3, Table 1.
RESULTS
Experiments 1, 2, and 3 are summarized in Table 3. In Experiment 1, neither protein nor energy had a significant effect on egg production of meat-type New Hampshires. Efficiency of feed utilization (feed per dozen) was significantly better on the high energy level than on the low energy level. An increase in energy level produced greater body weight gains on 14 and 18 percent protein, the differences being significant for 18 percent protein only. The reverse was true on 16 percent protein, thereby causing a significant protein X energy level interaction. In Experiments 2 and 3, 12 percent protein supported egg production of Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns equally as well, if not better, than higher protein levels. An increase in energy level in Experiment 2 produced a decrease in egg production and an increase in efficiency of feed utilization and in body weight gain for all protein levels combined, but the differences were not significant. A nonsignificant protein X energy interaction occurred in body weight gains on 16 per-
cent protein. The only significant effect in Experiment 3 was better efficiency of feed utilization on the high energy than on low energy for all protein levels combined. In Experiment 4, the results, summarized in Table 4, were broken down into Periods 1 and 2, namely, first 12 weeks and second 20 weeks, for the following reason: egg production of Barred Rock pullets fed the 10 percent protein, high energy diet decreased to 2 percent with excessive mortality by the 12 th week (Period 1), and so these pullets were changed to the low energy diet at the same protein level at the end of the 12 th week and continued on the low energy diet for the remainder of the study (Period 2). Consequently, the data in Table 4 were analyzed separately for Periods 1 and 2. The data in Table 4 indicated that 10 percent protein significantly affected egg production and efficiency of feed utilization in both periods, and egg weights in Period 1 only. No significant differences were observed between 12 and 14 percent protein for all traits studied. A significant inverse relationship between energy level and egg
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Analysis Crude protein, % Calcium, % Total phosphorus, % P.E. Cal./lb. 2 Calorie/protein
10-H
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R. J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON
TABLE 3.—Effect
egg production was 2 percent at the end of the 12 th week. Recovery was apparent one week following change from high to low energy. The decline in egg production of pullets fed 10 percent protein, low energy from onset, reached a low of 12 percent at 17 weeks. However, in no instance did the production fall below 10 percent any one day between the 16th and 17th week. The average daily protein intake per bird for all the experiments is summarized in Table S. An increase in the protein level resulted in a corresponding increase in the average daily protein intake in all studies. The protein consumption per bird was greater on low than on high energy for each protein level, with one exception; namely, 12 percent protein in Experiment 2. An average protein intake of approxi-
of protein and energy on the 44-week laying house performance in experiments 1, 2, and 3 Experiment 1 New Hampshires
Laying Dietary Reg ime
Experiment 2 Rhode Island Reds
Experiment 3 SC White Leghorns
Egg Prod. (henday)
Feed per doz. eggs
Body wt. gain
Egg Prod. (henday)
Feed per doz. eggs
Body wt. gain
Egg Prod. (henday)
g-
lbs. 6.9 7.8
g454 666
Feed per doz. eggs
Body wt. gain
58.6 58.4
%
lbs. 6.4 5.7
g315 327
Protein 12 12
Energy L H
%
lbs.
—
—
—
% 62.6 56.9
14 14
L H
54.0 54.9
11.0 9.7
515c1 579bc
60.1 53.9
7.4 7.2
555 715
56.7 59.9
6.5 5.6
351 378
16 16
L H
51.2 53.3
11.0 9.6
677ab 573bc
52.9 57.3
8.5 6.8
719 543
59.7 58.8
6.1 5.5
335 365
18 18
L H
52.3 52.8
11.4 9.3
598bc 712a
58.8 54.2
8.0 7.4
578 749
— —
Averages 12
L+H
—
—
—
59.8
7.4
560
58.5
6.1
321
14
L+H
54.5
10.4
547
57.0
7.3
635
58.3
6.1
364
16
L+H
52.2
10.3
625
55.1
7.7
631
59.3
5.8
350
18
L+H
52.5
10.4
655
56.5
7.7
664
—
—
—
All protein levels L
52.5
11.1a8
597
58.6
7.7
576
58.3
6.3a2
334
H
53.6
9.5b
621
55.6
7.3
668
59.0
5.6b
357
1 2
— —
—
Those means with different letter suffixes are significantly different from one another at the 0.05% level. Those means with different letter suffixes are significantly different from one another at the 0.01% level.
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production, and also efficiency of feed utilization was observed in Period 1, but not in Period 2. Although egg weights were not influenced by energy level, a protein X energy interaction was observed in Period 1. To demonstrate more clearly the effect of protein and energy on egg production in Experiment 4, the egg production data were plotted in Figure 1 on a weekly basis. The seasonal decline in egg production (typical of a January hatch) occurred earlier on 10 percent protein than on 12 or 14 percent protein. Furthermore, the decline occurred earlier on high than on low energy in a 10 percent protein diet, whereas no differences occurred on the higher protein diets. Although the average egg production was 14 percent on the 10 percent protein, high energy diet at 12 weeks, the actual
757
PROTEIN AND ENERGY TABLE 4.—Effect
of protein and energy on the laying house performance in experiment 4 {Barred Rocks)
Laying Dietary Regime Protein
Energy
Egg Prod, (hen day)
Feed per doz. eggs
Egg wts.
%
lbs.
gms.
Period 1—First 12 weeks 48.1 30.9
2
47.7ab 2 46.0b
L H
12 12
L H
64.1 51.7
5.6bc 6.2bc
50.4a 48.3ab
14 14
L H
69.3 54.4
5.4c 5.9bc
49.5ab 50.6a
39.8b 2 57.9a 61.9a
7.7a2 5.8b 5.6b
46.8b 2 49.3a 50.1a
5.7a2 7.2b
49.2 48.3
Averages 10 12 14
L+H L+H L+H
All protein levels L H 10 10
L L3
12 12
L H
14 14
L H
Averages 10 12 14
L+L L+H L+H
60.6b 2 46.0a Period 2—Second 20 weeks 32.1 36.9
6.7b 9.3a
12.9 12.4
54.4 54.6
44.6 39.7
9.2 10.1
56.5 55.6
50.5 46.0
8.2 9.2
55.6 57.0
34.4b 1 42.8a 48.5a
12.7a2 9.7b 8.7b
54.5 56.1 56.3
41.6 42.6
10.7 9.7
55.3 56.3
All protein levels L H
1 Those means with different letter suffixes are significantly different from one another at the 0.05 percent level. 2 Those means with different letter suffixes are significantly different from one another at the 0.01 percent level. 3 This group had been fed high energy in Period 1.
mately 28, 20, 15 and 17 grams per bird per day appeared to be adequate for egg production in Experiments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Since no significant differences were observed on mortality, fertility, hatchability and progeny performance in the four experiments, the data are not presented. DISCUSSION The fact that 12 percent protein in a low energy diet supported egg production of Rhode Island Reds, White Leghorns, and
Barred Rocks was in agreement with the data of Miller et al. (1957), Thornton and Whittet (I960), and Frank and Waibel (1960). The protein and energy level used by these investigators ranged from 11 to 20 percent and from 640 to 950 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, respectively. Furthermore, our data show that no significant differences in egg production between 12 percent protein and higher protein levels existed on a high energy diet agreed with those of Ringrose et al. (1954) and Smith and Lewis (1964).
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10 10
758
R. J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON
4 PERCENT PROTEIN
Stpi.
Oci
No>
Jon
Feb
Moi
FIG. 1. Egg production of Barred Rock pullets on a weekly basis.
However, the protein requirement (%) for adequate egg production has been established by the following investigators using high energy values from 900 to 1250 kilocalories of productive energy per pound: 13 (Thornton and Whittet, 1960); 14.9 (Frank and Waibel, 1960); 17 (Hochreich et al, 1958). No protein X energy interrelationships on egg production were observed in our experiments, which agrees with the results obtained by Miller et al. (1957), Maclntyre and Aitken (1957), Price et al. (1957), McDaniel et al. (1957, 1959), Leveille and Fisher (1958), Davis et al. (1958) and Quisenberry and Bradley (1962). The protein and energy values used by these investigators ranged from 12.5 to 25 percent and from 700 to 1100 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, respectively. However, Berg and Bearse (1957) stated that 14 percent protein depressed egg production on a diet containing 1015 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, where-
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Aug
as the same protein level supported better production than higher protein levels on a diet containing 700 kilocalories of productive energy per pound. The fact that high energy in Period 1 of Experiment 4 was detrimental for egg production, irrespective of protein level, may be attributed possibly to the date of hatch (January) and heat stress incurred at the time of peak production. Heat stress may also have accounted for a difference in egg production between 12 and 14 percent protein in Experiment 4, which was not observed in the other experiments. That the pullets may require higher protein levels during heat stress is evidenced by the work of Heywang et al. (1955), Bray and Gesell (1961), and Harms (1964). On the basis of amino acid requirements (National Research Council, 1960), the amino acid balance was submarginal and marginal for normal egg production on 10 and 12 percent protein diets, respectively. Since 10 percent protein depressed egg production and 12 percent protein was equivalent to higher levels in maintaining egg production in Experiments 2, 3, and 4, the amino acid requirements apparently lie somewhere between those furnished by the 10 and 12 percent protein diets employed in our studies. Regarding the high Calorie/protein ratio (78 and 96 for low and high energy levels, respectively, in a 10 percent protein diet), the point beyond which egg production would suffer as a result of high Calorie/protein ratios is difficult to establish because of the wide disparity in literature. However, a Calorie/protein ratio of 80 or higher usually depressed production of pullets fed low protein diets (Middendorf et al., 1959; Frank and Waibel, 1960; and Touchburn and Naber, 1962). Although the performance of White Leghorns in Experiment 3 was lower than normally expected of the breed, subsequent
759
PROTEIN AND ENERGY TABLE 5.—Average daily protein consumption per bird Energy Level Experiment
Breed Low
High
Mean
NH
%
14 16 18
gms. 33.47 33.92 40.34
gms. 28.08 30.42 32.49
gms. 30.78 32.17 36.42
2
RIR
12 14 16 18
19.78 23.67 27.30 32.04
20.41 20.49 33.48 27.37
20.09 22.08 25.39 29.71
3
SCWL
12 14 16
17.12 19.59 21.92
15.05 17.84 19.52
16.09 18.72 20.72
4
B PR
10 (1st 12 wks.) 10(2nd20wks.)
12.19 15.57
10.90
11.54 16.48
10 (32 weeks) 12 (32 weeks) 14 (32 weeks)
14.14 17.58 20.88
16.80 19.72
14.37 17.19 20.30
10 12 14 16 18
18.16 24.40 27.71 36.19
(See experiment 4) 17.42 21.53 24.47 29.93
17.79 22.97 26.09 33.06
1, 2, 3, 4 combined
studies (Lillie, 1965) revealed an average needed for body weight gains, as contrastof 65 percent in a 44-week period for ed with 28 grams for all other traits studanother strain fed similar diets. Strain ied. Since our feed consumption data indidifferences with respect to protein and en- cated greater protein consumption on low ergy interrelationships have been observed than on high energy for each protein level by McDaniel et al. (1957) and Harms (in all cases but one), the actual protein (1964), but not by Thornton and Whittet intake per hen may be in excess of that re(1960). quired for egg production, unless the proThat a minimum of 15 grams of protein tein level falls below 12 percent. Apparentper Leghorn per day appears to be ade- ly, the average protein intake requirement quate for egg production, body weight and for maximum performance is dependent on egg size, is in line with 15-16 grams (Fish- many factors, such as: breed and/or er and Shapiro, 1965), but is higher than strain, body weight, rate of lay, protein 13-14 grams (Bray and Gesell, 1961) and and energy levels, amino acid profile, temlower than 17 grams (Touchburn and perature and date of hatch. Naber, 1962). These investigators had SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS used Leghorns in their studies. A minimum of 20 grams and 17 grams of protein per Studies were conducted with four breeds hen per day appeared to be adequate for of pullets maintained on litter and fed proall traits studied with Rhode Island Reds tein levels ranging from 10 to 18 percent. and Barred Rocks, respectively. However, Two energy levels were employed at each with New Hampshires, a minimum of 33 protein level (707 to 767 and 887 to 948 grams of protein per hen per day was kilocalories of productive energy per
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1
760
R. J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON
REFERENCES Berg, L. R., and G. E. Bearse, 1947. The effect of protein and energy content of the diet on the performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 36: 1105. Bray, D. J., and J. A. Gesell, 1961. Studies with corn-soya laying diets. 4. Environmental tem-
perature—a factor affecting performance of pullets fed diets suboptimal in protein. Poultry Sci. 40: 1328-1335. Davis, B. H., W. S. Wilkinson and A. B. Watts, 1958. A study of the relationship of energy and protein in caged layer nutrition. Poultry Sci. 37: 1197. Frank, F. E., and P. E. Waibel, 1960. Effect of dietary energy and protein levels and energy source on White Leghorn hens in cages. Poultry Sci. 39: 1049-1056. Fisher, H., and R. Shapiro, 1964. Evaluation of amino acid and protein requirements of the hen by nitrogen retention. Fed. Proc. 23: 3941. Harms, R. H., 1964. The laying hen and her protein requirement. Feed Age, 14(7): 23-25. Heywang, B. W., H. R. Bird and M. G. Vavich, 1955. The level of protein in the diet of laying White Leghorns during hot weather. Poultry Sci. 34: 148-152. Hochreich, H. J., C. R. Douglass, I. H. Kidd and R. H. Harms, 1958. The effect of dietary protein and energy levels upon production of Single Comb White Leghorn hens. Poultry Sci. 37: 949-953. Hubbell, C. H., 1958. Analysis table for feed ingredients. Feedstuffs, 30(12): 84, March 22. Kramer, C. Y., 1957. Extension of multiple range tests to group correlated adjusted means. Biometrics, 13: 13-18. Leveille, G. A., and H. Fisher, 1958. Observation on lipid utilization in hens fed vegetable and animal fat supplemented diets. Poultry Sci. 37: 658-664. Lillie, R. J., 1965. Data analyzed for later publication. Maclntyre, T. M., and J. R. Aitken, 1957. The effect of high levels of dietary energy and protein on the performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 36: 1211-1216. McDaniel, A. H., J. D. Price, J. H. Quisenberry, B. L. Reid and J. R. Couch, 1957. Effect of energy and protein on cage layers. Poultry Sci. 36: 850-854. McDaniel, A. H., J. H. Quisenberry, B. L. Reid and J. R. Couch, 1959. The effect of dietary fat, caloric intake and protein level on caged layers. Poultry Sci. 38: 213-219. Middendorf, D. F., N. V. Helbacka and G. F. Combs, 1959. Effect of protein levels and kelp ash on performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 38: 1229. Miller, E. C , M. L. Sunde and C. A. Elvehjem,
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pound). Traits studied were egg production, feed efficiency, body and egg weights, mortality, fertility, hatchability and progeny performance. A 10 percent protein diet (both energy levels combined) significantly reduced egg production, feed efficiency and egg weights, but had no effect on other traits studied with Barred Rocks. A 12 percent protein diet, irrespective of energy, was adequate for all traits studied with Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks and White Leghorns. High energy had no effect on egg production of New Hampshires, Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns but significantly improved feed efficiency of New Hampshires and White Leghorns. However, with Barred Rocks, high energy significantly reduced egg production and feed efficiency in Period 1 (first 12 weeks) but not in Period 2 (second 20 weeks). Energy level (all protein levels combined) had no effect on egg weights, mortality, fertility, hatchability and progeny performance of the 4 breeds. The only protein X energy interactions observed in the four studies were body weight gains in two studies and egg weights in another study. A minimum of 15, 17, and 20 grams of protein per hen per day was adequate for all traits studied with White Leghorns, Barred Rocks, and Rhode Island Reds, respectively. However, the protein consumption of New Hampshires was greater for body weight gains (33 grams per hen per day) than for all other traits studied (28 grams per hen per day).
PROTEIN AND ENERGY
1954. Protein requirements of meat type New Hampshire pullets. Poultry Sci. 3 3 : 1078. Smith, A. J., and D. Lewis, 1964. Protein and energy nutrition of the laying hen. 1. Protein requirement for hybrids of medium size. British Poultry Sci. S: 113-120. Titus, H. W., 1957. Energy values of feedstuffs for poultry. Revised table 18 in the 1955 edition of The Scientific Feeding of Chickens. Thornton, P. A., and W. A. Whittet, 1960. Protein requirement for egg production as influenced by management, genetic background and dietary energy level. Poultry Sci. 39: 916-921. Touchburn, S. P., and E. C. Naber, 1962. Effect of nutrient density and protein-energy interrelationship on reproductive performance of the hen. Poultry Sci. 4 1 : 1481-1488.
Absorption of Chlortetracycline from the Alimentary Tract in White Leghorn Hens D. R. FILSON, H. H. WEISER, W. E. MEREDITH AND A. R. WINTER Department of Microbiology and Poultry Science, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (Received for publication Ocotber 14, 1964)
I
N AN attempt to increase control over In a more recent study Harms and Walpoultry diseases, many investigations droup (1962) reported that the level of have been conducted concerning the poten- oxytetracycline in the serum of laying hens tiation of the tetracycline antibiotics in being fed this antibiotic varied according chickens. Several methods which have been to the time in the cycle of egg formation in proposed are highly effective under certain which the blood was obtained. They found conditions. The addition of terephthalic that as the shell was being calcified the acid has been found to increase the level of level of oxytetracycline in the serum inantibiotics in the blood two to three fold creased then began to drop 4 to 6 hours (Peterson, 1958). The source and the level before the egg was laid. In the same study of calcium in feed appear to have an they found that the injection of progesinfluence on the absorption of the tetracy- terone, a hormone which has been found to cline antibiotics (Eoff et al., 1962). Harms inhibit the formation of egg shell, resulted and Waldroup (1961) found that a maxi- in a significant decrease in the oxytetracymum antibiotic blood level in chicks could cline content of the serum. be attained if the calcium content of the OBJECTIVES feed was lowered slightly below the minimum requirements. However, Waldroup The objectives of this study were to (1) and Harms (1961) were able to detect study the absorption of chlortetracycline only a slight increase in the oxytetracy- (CTC) by White Leghorn laying hens of cline level in serum when low levels of cal- three different age groups being fed all cium were fed to laying hens. mash laying rations containing 200 gm.
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1957. Minimum protein requirement of laying pullets at different energy levels. Poultry Sci. 36: 681-690. National Research Council, 1960. Nutrient requirements of poultry. Publication 827 : 7. Price, J. D., A. H. McDaniel, D. N. Smith, Jr., J. H. Quisenberry, B. L. Reid and J. R. Couch, 1957. The effect of energy and protein levels on egg production, feed efficiency and some lipid constituents of blood and liver of caged layers. Poultry Sci. 36: 1316-1321. Quisenberry, J. H., and J. W. Bradley, 1962. Effects of dietary protein and changes in energy levels on the laying house performance of egg production stocks. Poultry Sci. 4 1 : 717— 724. Ringrose, R. C , L. M. Potter and R. M. Hatch,
761
1952. The effect of Terramycin and vitamin Bi2 on hatchability. Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 79: 242-244. Peterson, C. F., A. C. Wiese, R. V. Dahlstrom and C. E. Lampman, 1952. The influence of vitamin B J2 and antibiotics on hatchability. Poultry Sci. 3 1 : 129-132. Sizemore, J. R., R. J. Lillie and H. R. Bird, 1952. The influence of Aureomycin in the chick diet upon subsequent reproductive performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 3 1 : 935936. Sizemore, J. R., R. J. Lillie, C. A. Denton and H. R. Bird, 1953. The influence of Aureomycin in the chick diet upon subsequent reproductive performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 32: 618-624. Sizemore, J. R., R. J. Lillie, H. R. Bird and C. A. Denton, 1955. Further studies on the influence of Aureomycin in the chick diet upon subsequent reproductive performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 34: 432^134. Sunde, M. L., J. G. Halpin and W. W. Cravens, 1952. The effect of vitamin B K supplements and antibiotic feed supplements on egg production and hatchability. Poultry Sci. 3 1 : 617620.
Protein and Energy Interrelationships for Laying Hens ROBERT J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON U. S. Department of Agriculture' (Received for publication October 13, 1964)
P
ROTEIN X energy interrelationships for optimum reproductive performance of chickens have been discussed by Thornton and Whittet (I960), Frank and Waibel (1960), and Touchburn and Naber (1962). Considerable evidence has appeared in literature to indicate a disparity regarding protein X energy interrelationships, and Harms (1964) has attempted to discuss the reasons for the discrepancies. A majority of studies on protein X en1 Poultry Research Branch, Animal Husbandry Research Division, ARS, Beltsville, Maryland.
ergy interrelationships involved Single Comb White Leghorns, or Leghorn-type strain crosses, and in many cases, what was considered a low energy level by one investigator was considered a high energy level by another investigator. For example, the low and high energy values of Frank and Waibel (1960) ranged from 634 to 947 and from 984 to 1250 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, respectively, as contrasted with a low and high energy level of 640 and 930 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, respectively, (Miller et al., 1957).
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and streptomycin in diets for breeder hens. Poultry Sci. 32: 176-178. Day, J. E., A. M. Horton and J. E. Hill, 1961. Anthelmintic value of hygromycin B when used in broiler rations and its effect along with certain drugs on the performance of broilers. Poultry Sci. 40:417-422. Elam, J. F., R. L. Jacobs and J. R. Couch, 1953. The effect of prolonged feeding of antibiotics upon performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 32: 792-794. Foster, R. G., I l l , C. B. Ryan, R. D. Turk and J. H. Quisenberry, 1960. Continuous feeding of hygromycin as a poultry anthelmintic and its effect upon laying house performance. Poultry Sci. 39: 492^99. Halick, J. V., and J. R. Couch, 1951. Antibiotics in mature fowl nutrition. Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 76: 58-60. Lillie, J. R., and H. R. Bird, 1952. The effect of antibiotic supplements upon hatchability and upon growth and viability of progeny. Poultry Sci. 3 1 : 513-518. Lillie, J. R., and J. R. Sizemore, 1954. The effect of antibiotics on egg production of New Hampshires. Poultry Sci. 3 3 : 427^128. Mariakulandai, A., T. Myint and J. McGinnis,
753
754
R. J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON
Therefore, a series of experiments was initiated to determine the effect of protein on the reproductive performance of several breeds of chickens fed two energy levels. The results are presented herein. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
TABLE 1.—Diets used in experiments 1, 2, and 3 Dietary Treatment (Protein-energy)
Constants 1 Variables: Ground corn Soybean meal, 44% protein Lard, stabilized Oat hulls Analysis2 Crude protein, % Calcium, % Total phosphorus, % P.E. Cal./lb.' Calorie/protein
12-L
12-H
14-L
14-H
16-L
16-H
18-L
% 44.5
%
%
%
%
%
25.3
44.5
25.3
44.5
25.3
46.4 2.0 0.1 7.0
69.0 5.5 0.2
44.9 6.5 0.1 4.0
63.5 11.0 0.2
37.0 12.5 2.0 4.0
57.0 16.2 1.5
26.0 22.0 4.5 3.0
45.7 24.0 5.0
11.9 2.2 0.7 737 61.9
12.1 2.3 0.8 933 77.1
13.7 2.2 0.7 747 54.5
14.0 2.3 0.8 905 64.5
15.6 2.2 0.8 749 48.0
15.8 2.3 0.8 900 56.9
18.6 2.3 0.8 754 40.5
18.3 2.3 0.8 922 50.4
% 44.5
18-H
% 25.3
1 Low energy diets (%): Ground wheat 5, wheat middlings 15, wheat bran 10, alfalfa meal 5, menhaden fish meal 2, distiller's dried solubles 0.5, steamed bone meal 2, limestone flour 4, iodized salt 0.7, commercial vitamin-trace mineral mix 0.3. High energy diets (%): Ground wheat 10, alfalfa meal 5, menhaden fish meal 2, distiller's dried solubles 0.5, steamed bone meal 3.8, limestone flour 3, iodized salt 0.7, commercial vitamin-trace mineral mix0.3. 2 Protein analysis was obtained in the laboratory, whereas all other analysis were calculated. 8 Productive energy values were obtained from Feedstuffs Analysis Table (Hubbell, 1958) and Table 18 (Titus, 1957).
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Meat-type New Hampshires, Rhode Island Reds, Single Comb White Leghorns, and egg-type Barred Rocks were used in Experiments 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The pullets in Experiments 1, 2, and 3 were hatched in March, and those in Experiment 4 were hatched in January, all hatches being obtained in different years. In all experiments, the pullets were fed a replacement diet containing animal and vegetable protein supplements and adequate in all known nutrients. All breeds except White Leghorns had access to range from 8 weeks of age to housing time (20-22 weeks of age). The pullets were then distributed into lots of 30, 24, 26, and 23 each, in Experiments 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, on the basis of individual body
weights and sexual maturity. Duplicate lots per dietary treatment were used in all experiments except Experiment 2. All lots were maintained on sawdust litter and subjected to a 14-hour light regime. The duration of the studies was 44 weeks for Experiments 1,2, and 3, and 32 weeks for Experiment 4. The composition of the diets used and pertinent analytical data are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Daily trapnest records, feed consumption and body weight data were maintained on a 28-day basis. The egg weight data and hatchability data were obtained from all the eggs laid on a given day, one day a week for the duration of the experiment. At least 6 progeny performance studies in each of the 4 experiments were conducted to determine the effect of maternal diet upon the progeny performance. The data were subjected to the analysis of variance. Duncan's multiple range test (Kramer, 1957) was applied to the subclasses that were found to be significantly different.
PROTEIN AND ENERGY1
755
TABLE 2.—Diets used in experiment 4 Dietary Treatment (protein--energy) 10-L Constants 1 Variables Ground corn Soybean meal, 44% protein Oat hulls
-%
%
12-L
%
12-H
%
14-L
%
14-H
%
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
18.5
63.0 3.5 15.0
81.0 0.5
74.5 7.0
—
51.5 15.0 15.0
69.5 12.0
—
56.5 10.0 15.0
9.9 2.5 0.7 767 77.7
9.9 2.5 0.7 948 95.7
12.2 2.5 0.7 733 60.1
12.2 2.5 0.7 913 75.0
14.0 2.5 0.7 707 50.5
14.0 2.5 0.7 887 63.4
—
1 Diet constants (%): Ground wheat 2, wheat bran 2, alfalfa meal 5, menhaden fish meal 0.5, distiller's dried solubles 0.5, steamed bone meal 3.5, limestone flour 4, iodized salt 0.7, commercial vitamin-trace mineral mix 0.3. 2 See footnote 3, Table 1.
RESULTS
Experiments 1, 2, and 3 are summarized in Table 3. In Experiment 1, neither protein nor energy had a significant effect on egg production of meat-type New Hampshires. Efficiency of feed utilization (feed per dozen) was significantly better on the high energy level than on the low energy level. An increase in energy level produced greater body weight gains on 14 and 18 percent protein, the differences being significant for 18 percent protein only. The reverse was true on 16 percent protein, thereby causing a significant protein X energy level interaction. In Experiments 2 and 3, 12 percent protein supported egg production of Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns equally as well, if not better, than higher protein levels. An increase in energy level in Experiment 2 produced a decrease in egg production and an increase in efficiency of feed utilization and in body weight gain for all protein levels combined, but the differences were not significant. A nonsignificant protein X energy interaction occurred in body weight gains on 16 per-
cent protein. The only significant effect in Experiment 3 was better efficiency of feed utilization on the high energy than on low energy for all protein levels combined. In Experiment 4, the results, summarized in Table 4, were broken down into Periods 1 and 2, namely, first 12 weeks and second 20 weeks, for the following reason: egg production of Barred Rock pullets fed the 10 percent protein, high energy diet decreased to 2 percent with excessive mortality by the 12 th week (Period 1), and so these pullets were changed to the low energy diet at the same protein level at the end of the 12 th week and continued on the low energy diet for the remainder of the study (Period 2). Consequently, the data in Table 4 were analyzed separately for Periods 1 and 2. The data in Table 4 indicated that 10 percent protein significantly affected egg production and efficiency of feed utilization in both periods, and egg weights in Period 1 only. No significant differences were observed between 12 and 14 percent protein for all traits studied. A significant inverse relationship between energy level and egg
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Analysis Crude protein, % Calcium, % Total phosphorus, % P.E. Cal./lb. 2 Calorie/protein
10-H
756
R. J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON
TABLE 3.—Effect
egg production was 2 percent at the end of the 12 th week. Recovery was apparent one week following change from high to low energy. The decline in egg production of pullets fed 10 percent protein, low energy from onset, reached a low of 12 percent at 17 weeks. However, in no instance did the production fall below 10 percent any one day between the 16th and 17th week. The average daily protein intake per bird for all the experiments is summarized in Table S. An increase in the protein level resulted in a corresponding increase in the average daily protein intake in all studies. The protein consumption per bird was greater on low than on high energy for each protein level, with one exception; namely, 12 percent protein in Experiment 2. An average protein intake of approxi-
of protein and energy on the 44-week laying house performance in experiments 1, 2, and 3 Experiment 1 New Hampshires
Laying Dietary Reg ime
Experiment 2 Rhode Island Reds
Experiment 3 SC White Leghorns
Egg Prod. (henday)
Feed per doz. eggs
Body wt. gain
Egg Prod. (henday)
Feed per doz. eggs
Body wt. gain
Egg Prod. (henday)
g-
lbs. 6.9 7.8
g454 666
Feed per doz. eggs
Body wt. gain
58.6 58.4
%
lbs. 6.4 5.7
g315 327
Protein 12 12
Energy L H
%
lbs.
—
—
—
% 62.6 56.9
14 14
L H
54.0 54.9
11.0 9.7
515c1 579bc
60.1 53.9
7.4 7.2
555 715
56.7 59.9
6.5 5.6
351 378
16 16
L H
51.2 53.3
11.0 9.6
677ab 573bc
52.9 57.3
8.5 6.8
719 543
59.7 58.8
6.1 5.5
335 365
18 18
L H
52.3 52.8
11.4 9.3
598bc 712a
58.8 54.2
8.0 7.4
578 749
— —
Averages 12
L+H
—
—
—
59.8
7.4
560
58.5
6.1
321
14
L+H
54.5
10.4
547
57.0
7.3
635
58.3
6.1
364
16
L+H
52.2
10.3
625
55.1
7.7
631
59.3
5.8
350
18
L+H
52.5
10.4
655
56.5
7.7
664
—
—
—
All protein levels L
52.5
11.1a8
597
58.6
7.7
576
58.3
6.3a2
334
H
53.6
9.5b
621
55.6
7.3
668
59.0
5.6b
357
1 2
— —
—
Those means with different letter suffixes are significantly different from one another at the 0.05% level. Those means with different letter suffixes are significantly different from one another at the 0.01% level.
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production, and also efficiency of feed utilization was observed in Period 1, but not in Period 2. Although egg weights were not influenced by energy level, a protein X energy interaction was observed in Period 1. To demonstrate more clearly the effect of protein and energy on egg production in Experiment 4, the egg production data were plotted in Figure 1 on a weekly basis. The seasonal decline in egg production (typical of a January hatch) occurred earlier on 10 percent protein than on 12 or 14 percent protein. Furthermore, the decline occurred earlier on high than on low energy in a 10 percent protein diet, whereas no differences occurred on the higher protein diets. Although the average egg production was 14 percent on the 10 percent protein, high energy diet at 12 weeks, the actual
757
PROTEIN AND ENERGY TABLE 4.—Effect
of protein and energy on the laying house performance in experiment 4 {Barred Rocks)
Laying Dietary Regime Protein
Energy
Egg Prod, (hen day)
Feed per doz. eggs
Egg wts.
%
lbs.
gms.
Period 1—First 12 weeks 48.1 30.9
2
47.7ab 2 46.0b
L H
12 12
L H
64.1 51.7
5.6bc 6.2bc
50.4a 48.3ab
14 14
L H
69.3 54.4
5.4c 5.9bc
49.5ab 50.6a
39.8b 2 57.9a 61.9a
7.7a2 5.8b 5.6b
46.8b 2 49.3a 50.1a
5.7a2 7.2b
49.2 48.3
Averages 10 12 14
L+H L+H L+H
All protein levels L H 10 10
L L3
12 12
L H
14 14
L H
Averages 10 12 14
L+L L+H L+H
60.6b 2 46.0a Period 2—Second 20 weeks 32.1 36.9
6.7b 9.3a
12.9 12.4
54.4 54.6
44.6 39.7
9.2 10.1
56.5 55.6
50.5 46.0
8.2 9.2
55.6 57.0
34.4b 1 42.8a 48.5a
12.7a2 9.7b 8.7b
54.5 56.1 56.3
41.6 42.6
10.7 9.7
55.3 56.3
All protein levels L H
1 Those means with different letter suffixes are significantly different from one another at the 0.05 percent level. 2 Those means with different letter suffixes are significantly different from one another at the 0.01 percent level. 3 This group had been fed high energy in Period 1.
mately 28, 20, 15 and 17 grams per bird per day appeared to be adequate for egg production in Experiments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Since no significant differences were observed on mortality, fertility, hatchability and progeny performance in the four experiments, the data are not presented. DISCUSSION The fact that 12 percent protein in a low energy diet supported egg production of Rhode Island Reds, White Leghorns, and
Barred Rocks was in agreement with the data of Miller et al. (1957), Thornton and Whittet (I960), and Frank and Waibel (1960). The protein and energy level used by these investigators ranged from 11 to 20 percent and from 640 to 950 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, respectively. Furthermore, our data show that no significant differences in egg production between 12 percent protein and higher protein levels existed on a high energy diet agreed with those of Ringrose et al. (1954) and Smith and Lewis (1964).
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10 10
758
R. J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON
4 PERCENT PROTEIN
Stpi.
Oci
No>
Jon
Feb
Moi
FIG. 1. Egg production of Barred Rock pullets on a weekly basis.
However, the protein requirement (%) for adequate egg production has been established by the following investigators using high energy values from 900 to 1250 kilocalories of productive energy per pound: 13 (Thornton and Whittet, 1960); 14.9 (Frank and Waibel, 1960); 17 (Hochreich et al, 1958). No protein X energy interrelationships on egg production were observed in our experiments, which agrees with the results obtained by Miller et al. (1957), Maclntyre and Aitken (1957), Price et al. (1957), McDaniel et al. (1957, 1959), Leveille and Fisher (1958), Davis et al. (1958) and Quisenberry and Bradley (1962). The protein and energy values used by these investigators ranged from 12.5 to 25 percent and from 700 to 1100 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, respectively. However, Berg and Bearse (1957) stated that 14 percent protein depressed egg production on a diet containing 1015 kilocalories of productive energy per pound, where-
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Aug
as the same protein level supported better production than higher protein levels on a diet containing 700 kilocalories of productive energy per pound. The fact that high energy in Period 1 of Experiment 4 was detrimental for egg production, irrespective of protein level, may be attributed possibly to the date of hatch (January) and heat stress incurred at the time of peak production. Heat stress may also have accounted for a difference in egg production between 12 and 14 percent protein in Experiment 4, which was not observed in the other experiments. That the pullets may require higher protein levels during heat stress is evidenced by the work of Heywang et al. (1955), Bray and Gesell (1961), and Harms (1964). On the basis of amino acid requirements (National Research Council, 1960), the amino acid balance was submarginal and marginal for normal egg production on 10 and 12 percent protein diets, respectively. Since 10 percent protein depressed egg production and 12 percent protein was equivalent to higher levels in maintaining egg production in Experiments 2, 3, and 4, the amino acid requirements apparently lie somewhere between those furnished by the 10 and 12 percent protein diets employed in our studies. Regarding the high Calorie/protein ratio (78 and 96 for low and high energy levels, respectively, in a 10 percent protein diet), the point beyond which egg production would suffer as a result of high Calorie/protein ratios is difficult to establish because of the wide disparity in literature. However, a Calorie/protein ratio of 80 or higher usually depressed production of pullets fed low protein diets (Middendorf et al., 1959; Frank and Waibel, 1960; and Touchburn and Naber, 1962). Although the performance of White Leghorns in Experiment 3 was lower than normally expected of the breed, subsequent
759
PROTEIN AND ENERGY TABLE 5.—Average daily protein consumption per bird Energy Level Experiment
Breed Low
High
Mean
NH
%
14 16 18
gms. 33.47 33.92 40.34
gms. 28.08 30.42 32.49
gms. 30.78 32.17 36.42
2
RIR
12 14 16 18
19.78 23.67 27.30 32.04
20.41 20.49 33.48 27.37
20.09 22.08 25.39 29.71
3
SCWL
12 14 16
17.12 19.59 21.92
15.05 17.84 19.52
16.09 18.72 20.72
4
B PR
10 (1st 12 wks.) 10(2nd20wks.)
12.19 15.57
10.90
11.54 16.48
10 (32 weeks) 12 (32 weeks) 14 (32 weeks)
14.14 17.58 20.88
16.80 19.72
14.37 17.19 20.30
10 12 14 16 18
18.16 24.40 27.71 36.19
(See experiment 4) 17.42 21.53 24.47 29.93
17.79 22.97 26.09 33.06
1, 2, 3, 4 combined
studies (Lillie, 1965) revealed an average needed for body weight gains, as contrastof 65 percent in a 44-week period for ed with 28 grams for all other traits studanother strain fed similar diets. Strain ied. Since our feed consumption data indidifferences with respect to protein and en- cated greater protein consumption on low ergy interrelationships have been observed than on high energy for each protein level by McDaniel et al. (1957) and Harms (in all cases but one), the actual protein (1964), but not by Thornton and Whittet intake per hen may be in excess of that re(1960). quired for egg production, unless the proThat a minimum of 15 grams of protein tein level falls below 12 percent. Apparentper Leghorn per day appears to be ade- ly, the average protein intake requirement quate for egg production, body weight and for maximum performance is dependent on egg size, is in line with 15-16 grams (Fish- many factors, such as: breed and/or er and Shapiro, 1965), but is higher than strain, body weight, rate of lay, protein 13-14 grams (Bray and Gesell, 1961) and and energy levels, amino acid profile, temlower than 17 grams (Touchburn and perature and date of hatch. Naber, 1962). These investigators had SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS used Leghorns in their studies. A minimum of 20 grams and 17 grams of protein per Studies were conducted with four breeds hen per day appeared to be adequate for of pullets maintained on litter and fed proall traits studied with Rhode Island Reds tein levels ranging from 10 to 18 percent. and Barred Rocks, respectively. However, Two energy levels were employed at each with New Hampshires, a minimum of 33 protein level (707 to 767 and 887 to 948 grams of protein per hen per day was kilocalories of productive energy per
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1
760
R. J. LILLIE AND C. A. DENTON
REFERENCES Berg, L. R., and G. E. Bearse, 1947. The effect of protein and energy content of the diet on the performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 36: 1105. Bray, D. J., and J. A. Gesell, 1961. Studies with corn-soya laying diets. 4. Environmental tem-
perature—a factor affecting performance of pullets fed diets suboptimal in protein. Poultry Sci. 40: 1328-1335. Davis, B. H., W. S. Wilkinson and A. B. Watts, 1958. A study of the relationship of energy and protein in caged layer nutrition. Poultry Sci. 37: 1197. Frank, F. E., and P. E. Waibel, 1960. Effect of dietary energy and protein levels and energy source on White Leghorn hens in cages. Poultry Sci. 39: 1049-1056. Fisher, H., and R. Shapiro, 1964. Evaluation of amino acid and protein requirements of the hen by nitrogen retention. Fed. Proc. 23: 3941. Harms, R. H., 1964. The laying hen and her protein requirement. Feed Age, 14(7): 23-25. Heywang, B. W., H. R. Bird and M. G. Vavich, 1955. The level of protein in the diet of laying White Leghorns during hot weather. Poultry Sci. 34: 148-152. Hochreich, H. J., C. R. Douglass, I. H. Kidd and R. H. Harms, 1958. The effect of dietary protein and energy levels upon production of Single Comb White Leghorn hens. Poultry Sci. 37: 949-953. Hubbell, C. H., 1958. Analysis table for feed ingredients. Feedstuffs, 30(12): 84, March 22. Kramer, C. Y., 1957. Extension of multiple range tests to group correlated adjusted means. Biometrics, 13: 13-18. Leveille, G. A., and H. Fisher, 1958. Observation on lipid utilization in hens fed vegetable and animal fat supplemented diets. Poultry Sci. 37: 658-664. Lillie, R. J., 1965. Data analyzed for later publication. Maclntyre, T. M., and J. R. Aitken, 1957. The effect of high levels of dietary energy and protein on the performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 36: 1211-1216. McDaniel, A. H., J. D. Price, J. H. Quisenberry, B. L. Reid and J. R. Couch, 1957. Effect of energy and protein on cage layers. Poultry Sci. 36: 850-854. McDaniel, A. H., J. H. Quisenberry, B. L. Reid and J. R. Couch, 1959. The effect of dietary fat, caloric intake and protein level on caged layers. Poultry Sci. 38: 213-219. Middendorf, D. F., N. V. Helbacka and G. F. Combs, 1959. Effect of protein levels and kelp ash on performance of laying hens. Poultry Sci. 38: 1229. Miller, E. C , M. L. Sunde and C. A. Elvehjem,
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pound). Traits studied were egg production, feed efficiency, body and egg weights, mortality, fertility, hatchability and progeny performance. A 10 percent protein diet (both energy levels combined) significantly reduced egg production, feed efficiency and egg weights, but had no effect on other traits studied with Barred Rocks. A 12 percent protein diet, irrespective of energy, was adequate for all traits studied with Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks and White Leghorns. High energy had no effect on egg production of New Hampshires, Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns but significantly improved feed efficiency of New Hampshires and White Leghorns. However, with Barred Rocks, high energy significantly reduced egg production and feed efficiency in Period 1 (first 12 weeks) but not in Period 2 (second 20 weeks). Energy level (all protein levels combined) had no effect on egg weights, mortality, fertility, hatchability and progeny performance of the 4 breeds. The only protein X energy interactions observed in the four studies were body weight gains in two studies and egg weights in another study. A minimum of 15, 17, and 20 grams of protein per hen per day was adequate for all traits studied with White Leghorns, Barred Rocks, and Rhode Island Reds, respectively. However, the protein consumption of New Hampshires was greater for body weight gains (33 grams per hen per day) than for all other traits studied (28 grams per hen per day).
PROTEIN AND ENERGY
1954. Protein requirements of meat type New Hampshire pullets. Poultry Sci. 3 3 : 1078. Smith, A. J., and D. Lewis, 1964. Protein and energy nutrition of the laying hen. 1. Protein requirement for hybrids of medium size. British Poultry Sci. S: 113-120. Titus, H. W., 1957. Energy values of feedstuffs for poultry. Revised table 18 in the 1955 edition of The Scientific Feeding of Chickens. Thornton, P. A., and W. A. Whittet, 1960. Protein requirement for egg production as influenced by management, genetic background and dietary energy level. Poultry Sci. 39: 916-921. Touchburn, S. P., and E. C. Naber, 1962. Effect of nutrient density and protein-energy interrelationship on reproductive performance of the hen. Poultry Sci. 4 1 : 1481-1488.
Absorption of Chlortetracycline from the Alimentary Tract in White Leghorn Hens D. R. FILSON, H. H. WEISER, W. E. MEREDITH AND A. R. WINTER Department of Microbiology and Poultry Science, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (Received for publication Ocotber 14, 1964)
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N AN attempt to increase control over In a more recent study Harms and Walpoultry diseases, many investigations droup (1962) reported that the level of have been conducted concerning the poten- oxytetracycline in the serum of laying hens tiation of the tetracycline antibiotics in being fed this antibiotic varied according chickens. Several methods which have been to the time in the cycle of egg formation in proposed are highly effective under certain which the blood was obtained. They found conditions. The addition of terephthalic that as the shell was being calcified the acid has been found to increase the level of level of oxytetracycline in the serum inantibiotics in the blood two to three fold creased then began to drop 4 to 6 hours (Peterson, 1958). The source and the level before the egg was laid. In the same study of calcium in feed appear to have an they found that the injection of progesinfluence on the absorption of the tetracy- terone, a hormone which has been found to cline antibiotics (Eoff et al., 1962). Harms inhibit the formation of egg shell, resulted and Waldroup (1961) found that a maxi- in a significant decrease in the oxytetracymum antibiotic blood level in chicks could cline content of the serum. be attained if the calcium content of the OBJECTIVES feed was lowered slightly below the minimum requirements. However, Waldroup The objectives of this study were to (1) and Harms (1961) were able to detect study the absorption of chlortetracycline only a slight increase in the oxytetracy- (CTC) by White Leghorn laying hens of cline level in serum when low levels of cal- three different age groups being fed all cium were fed to laying hens. mash laying rations containing 200 gm.
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