Sunflower cake in brown-egg laying pullet diets: Effects on the growing phase and on the beginning of production cycle

Animal Feed Science and Technology 269 (2020) 114663

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Sunflower cake in brown-egg laying pullet diets: Effects on the growing phase and on the beginning of production cycle D.H. Souza *, E.R. Freitas, A.V.O. Alencar, M.K.O. Costa, A.S. Santos, J.F. Freire, A.K. S. Rocha, R.D. Coelho, R.C. Nepomuceno Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Cear´ a, 60021-970, Fortaleza, Cear´ a, Brazil

A R T I C L E I N F O

A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Agroindustrial by-product Egg production Feed conversion Helianthus annuus Poultry nutrition

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of sunflower cake (SC) in the diet of brown-egg laying pullets from 7–17 weeks of age. We evaluated the effect of SC on the metabolizable nutrients and metabolizable energy of the diets, performance, body composition, retention of nutrients, energy metabolism and economic viability at the growth phase and sexual maturity, performance, egg characteristics and quality at the beginning of the production phase. At 7–17 weeks, 648 pullets Hy-Line brown were distributed in completely randomized design with six treatments and six pens of 18 birds each. Treatments consisted of diets containing in­ clusion of 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 g/kg of SC. The SC contained: 928.1 g/kg of dry matter, 2788 kcal/kg of apparent metabolizable energy corrected by nitrogen balance, 193.5 g/kg of crude protein, 155.2 g/kg of crude fat, 439.5 g/kg of neutral detergent fibre, 289.6 g/kg of acid detergent fibre and 26.6 g/kg of mineral matter. At the end of the 17 weeks, 432 remaining birds (648 initial birds subtracting removed birds for analysis in the period of 7–17 weeks) were transferred to a laying shed, maintaining the same experimental design used in the growth phase, with change only in the number of birds per pen which reduced to 12 birds per pen. The birds were fed the same diet for the laying phase until the 35th week of age. In the growth phase, in comparison with the birds that received 0 g/kg of SC: the birds fed diets containing at least 60 g/ kg of SC showed a reduction in the metabolizable coefficient of dry matter, nitrogen and crude energy and values of apparent metabolizable energy and apparent metabolizable energy cor­ rected for nitrogen balance, the birds fed with the inclusion 180, 240 and 300 g/kg of SC showed higher feed intake, the birds fed with 300 g/kg of SC presented worse feed conversion and the birds that received 180, 240 and 300 g/kg of SC showed better economic viability ie reduced feed costs and improved economic efficiency. The treatments did not influence body weight gain, final body weight, uniformity, body composition, nutrient retention and energetic metabolism of the

Abbreviations: ADF, acid detergent fibre; AME, apparent metabolizable energy; AMEn, apparent metabolizable energy corrected by the nitrogen balance; BWG, body weight gain; CI, cost index; CF, cost of the feed per kg of body weight gain; CE, Crude energy; CP, crude protein; DM, dry matter; EEI, economic efficiency index; EM, egg mass; EP, egg production; EW, egg weight; EE, ethereal extract; FBW, final body weight; FC, feed conversion; FCEM, feed conversion/egg mass; FI, feed intake; HU, Haugh units; HP, heat production; IME, Ingested metabolizable energy; MA 1st, mean age at 1st egg; MA 100 %, mean age for 100 % of birds to lay eggs; MA 50 %, mean age for 50 % of birds to lay eggs; EW 1st, egg weight of 1st egg; MCCE, metabolizable coefficients of crude energy; MCDM, metabolizable coefficients of dry matter; MCN, metabolizable coefficients of ni­ trogen; MM, mineral matter; NDF, neutral detergent fibre; N, nitrogen; RCP, retained crude protein; REE, retained ethereal extract; RE, retained energy; RMM, retained mineral matter; ST, shell thickness; SG, specific gravity; SC, sunflower cake; SM, sunflower meal; UN, uniformity. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (D.H. Souza). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114663 Received 1 November 2018; Received in revised form 27 July 2020; Accepted 2 September 2020 Available online 7 September 2020 0377-8401/© 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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pullets, as well as sexual maturity, performance, egg characteristics and egg quality of laying hens at 18–35 weeks old. As such, levels up to 300 g/kg SC can be included in the diet of brown-egg laying pullets from 7 to 17 weeks of age.

1. Introduction The growth phase of commercial laying hens is determinant for success in the egg production phase, in the growth phase occurs the bodily and physiological development of the future laying hen, therefore, an adequate nutritional program is fundamental to ensure the essential constituents for such development and, consequently, the layings hens reach sexual maturity and productive indexes within the standards required for their genetic potential (Braz et al., 2011; Alencar et al., 2019). However, the diets formulated for birds to achieve satisfactory phenotypic responses are based on ingredients such as corn grain and soybean meal, which burden the feed costs, as they have high added value and due to factors related to production, availability and supply can condition strong financial fluctuations in zootechnical activity (Arruda et al., 2016). Therefore, there is a need to develop research in the search for alternative foods or possible substitutes that can be used at adequate levels in the diets and improve the cost-benefit in the sector (Arruda et al., 2016). In this context, agroindustrial by-products have attracted attention from the scientific community and from poultry producers. Once, in addition to being able to reduce production costs and increase the financial return of these agricultural systems, the use of these by-products in animal feed is also ecologically and economically favorable (Oliveira et al., 2012; Andrade et al., 2015; Arruda et al., 2016). In Brazil the availability of by-products of the sunflower chain has increased significantly due to an increase in the demand for oil for human consumption and for the production of biofuel (Pedreiro et al., 2009; Oliveira et al., 2012; Berwanger et al., 2014, 2017a; Fernandes et al., 2017). One of the processing methods for obtaining sunflower oil involves mechanically pressing the seeds, which generates sunflower cake (SC) as a by-product, from 1 ton of seeds, around 340 kg of oil and 660 kg of SC is produced (San Juan and Villamide, 2001). Some researchers have suggested the use of SC in poultry feed (Oliveira et al., 2012; Pinheiro et al., 2013; Berwanger et al., 2014; Andrade et al., 2015; Berwanger et al., 2017a, b; Kargopoulos et al., 2017; Alencar et al., 2019). On the other hand, SC has some factors that may limit its use in bird feed, such as a low concentration of lysine, the presence of phytates and chlorogenic acid, and a high fibre content (Antoszkiewicz et al., 2004; Santos et al., 2012; Fernandes et al., 2013; Berwanger et al., 2014; Andrade et al., 2015; Berwanger et al., 2017a, b; Kargopoulos et al., 2017). The most sensitive and important of these limiting factors is the high fibre concentration of SC (Jacob et al., 1996) because it provides, at high levels, reduction in nutrient and energy utilization of the diet by animals (Senkoylu and Dale, 2006). However, in several countries, the nutritional programs of pullets have used moderate levels of fibre with beneficial effects on the development of the digestive tract and on feed intake, which favors especially true at the beginning of the laying phase when birds tend to ingest less feed and, consequently, less nutrients than are required for egg production (Tierzucht, 2016). In researches found with SC, inclusion of up to 210 g/kg SC for growing brown-egg laying pullets was not enough to cause harmful effects on the performance of the birds (Pinheiro et al., 2013; Kargopoulos et al., 2017) and inclusion of up to 200 g/kg SC for growing white-egg laying pullets was not affect performance in the growth and laying fhase (Alencar et al., 2019), suggesting the possibility of including higher levels of this ingredient in the diets for this birds and the need for further studies using this by-product to elucidate its use. Based on this, the objective with this study was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of SC in the diet of brown-egg laying pullets from 7 to 17 weeks of age. We evaluated the effect of SC on the metabolizable nutrients and metabolizable energy of the diets, per­ formance, body composition, retention of nutrients, energy metabolism and economic viability at the growth stage, and sexual maturity, performance, egg characteristics and quality at the beginning of the production cycle (18–35 weeks of age). 2. Material and methods Experimental procedures were submitted to and approved (Nº102/2016) by the Ethics Committee on Animal Research of the ´ in accordance with the ethical principles adopted by the Brazilian Animal Experimentation Control Federal University of Ceara Council. 2.1. Location and experimental period The study was conducted in the poultry sector of the Department of Animal Science of the Agricultural Sciences Center of the ´, Brazil, during the period from September 1, 2016 to May 4, 2017. Federal University of Cear´ a, located in the city of Fortaleza, Ceara 2.2. Poultry, housing and experimetal design of the growing phase A total of 900 one-day-old Hy-Line brown pullets were purchased. Until the 6th week, they were housed in a conventional shed and were treated in accordance with the recommendations of the lineage manual (Hy-Line International, 2016). At the beginning of the experiment (at the end of the 6th week of age), pullets were weighed individually (initial mean weight = 505 ± 12.06 g) and selected to create experimental groups with a homogeneous mean weight. In the experimental phase (7–17 weeks 2

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of age), 648 pullets were housed in a conventional shed for the production of replacement pullets, with galvanized wire cages (50 cm long x50 cm wide x45 cm high) equipped with galvanized sheet trough feeders and nipple drinkers, at a housing density of 416 cm2/ bird. Between the 7th and 17th week, the pullets were only exposed to natural light, with approximately 12 h of light perday. Pullets were immunized with the following vaccines: Newcastle HB1, bronchitis H120 and Gumboro intermediate at 7 days of age; Newcastle HB1, Bronchitis H120, Gumboro intermediate, Coryza hydroxide and strong bouba at week 5; Newcastle HB1, Bronchitis H120 and Oily coryza at week 10; associated Newcastle HB1 + Bronchitis H120 + Oily coryza + Posture drop syndrome at week 15. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with six treatments and six pens of 18 birds each distributed in three cages, six birds per cage. Treatments consisted of diets containing 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 g/kg of SC. 2.3. Feeding program and experimental diets of the growing phase The experimental period consisted of two phases: 7–12 weeks and 13–17 weeks. The food composition values used in the exper­ imental diets were proposed by Rostagno et al. (2011), except for SC (Table 1). Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonutrient (Tables 2 and 3), according to the nutritional recommendations in the lineage manual (Hy-Line International, 2016). 2.4. Evaluation of nutrient metabolizability and metabolizable energy values of diets in the growing phase Two metabolism assays were performed using the total excreta collection method, the first performed between the 10th and 11th week of age and the second between the 13th and the 14th week of age. To collect the excreta, aluminum trays previously lined with plastic were installed under the cages to avoid losses of the excreted contents. Identification of the excreta from the diets under evaluation was performed with the addition of 10 g/kg ferric oxide (red color) in the diets, on the first and last day of collection, and excreta that were not marked in the first and last collections were dis­ carded. Two daily excreta collections were performed in the early morning (08:00 h) and late afternoon (16:00 h). Once collected, excreta were weighed, packed in plastic bags, identified by repetition and frozen. At the end of each experimental period, the amount of feed consumed was determined by the difference between the amount of feed supplied and the surplus and total excreta produced during the collection period. For laboratory analysis, after thawing at room temperature, the excretions of each replicate were homogenized and a sample was withdrawn, weighed and sent to a forced ventilation oven at 55 ◦ C for 72 h to promote pre-drying and determination of the weight of the air dried sample. Then, samples were milled in a knife-type mill with 16 mash and 1 mm sieves and sent to the animal nutrition ´, together with samples of the experimental diets, for the determination of dry matter (DM, laboratory of the Federal University of Ceara method 934.01) and nitrogen (N, Kjeldahl method, method 976.05) according to AOAC (2005). Crude energy (CE) was determined in an adiabatic calorimetric pump (Model: C 200 S000, Serial number: 03.416736, IKA® Works, Inc., Wilmington, NC, USA). Based on the laboratory results, excreta humidity (g/kg) and metabolizable coefficients of dry matter (MCDM), nitrogen (MCN), crude energy (MCCE) and the values of apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected by the nitrogen balance Table 1 Nutritional composition of sunflower cake, soybean meal and corn. Nutrients (g/kg) Dry matter AMEn2 (kcal/kg) Crude protein Crude fat Neutral detergent fibre Acid detergent fibre Mineral matter Calcium Available phosphorus Sodium Chlorine Potassium Digestible lysine Digestible methionine Methionine + digestible cysteine Digestible threonine Digestible tryptophan

Ingredients Sunflower cake 3

928.1 27883 193.53 155.23 439.53 289.63 26.63 2.84 0.94 0.34 0.84 11.64 5.94 4.14 6.84 6.14 2.24

1

Soybean meal1

Corn1

887.5 2254 452.2 16.9 137.9 80.7 58.3 2.4 2.2 0.2 0.5 18.3 25.7 5.5 11.3 15.7 5.8

874.8 3381 78.8 36.5 119.3 33.8 12.7 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.6 2.9 1.9 1.5 2.9 2.7 0.5

Rostagno et al. (2011). AMEn, Apparent metabolizable energy corrected by the nitrogen balance, calculated based on the equations proposed by Matterson et al. (1965). 3 Analyzed by the authors in animal nutrition laboratory of the Federal University of Cear´ a: dry matter (method 934.01), crude protein (Kjeldahl method, method 976.05), crude fat (method 920.39), mineral matter (method 942.05), neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre (method 973.18) according to the methodologies described by AOAC (2005), AMEn, calculated based on the equations proposed by Matterson et al. (1965). 4 Estimated based on FEDNA (Fundaci´ on Espanola Desarrollo Nutrici´ on Animal) (2010). 2

3

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Table 2 Composition, nutrition and energy levels of diets for brown-egg laying pullets from 7 to 12 weeks of age. Ingredients (g/kg)

Sunflower cake level (g/kg) 0

60

120

180

240

300

Corn Soybean meal (450 g/kg CP) Suflower cake Soybean oil Calcitic limestone Dicalcium phosphate Vitamin supplement1 Mineral supplement2 Common Salt DL-methionine L-lysine HCL Washed sand TOTAL Cost of feed (BRL3/kg)

677.4 266.6 0.0 0.0 12.7 17.9 1.5 0.5 3.8 1.7 0.1 17.8 1000 1.45

645.2 246.0 60.0 0.0 12.4 17.9 1.5 0.5 3.8 1.6 0.4 10.7 1000 1.42

613.0 225.4 120.0 0.0 12.0 18.0 1.5 0.5 3.8 1.5 0.7 3.6 1000 1.39

573.4 206.2 180.0 2.5 11.7 18.0 1.5 0.5 3.8 1.4 1.0 0.0 1000 1.36

526.3 188.3 240.0 7.6 11.4 18.1 1.5 0.5 3.8 1.3 1.2 0.0 1000 1.34

479.3 170.3 300.0 12.6 11.0 18.2 1.5 0.5 3.8 1.3 1.5 0.0 1000 1.31

Nutrition and energy level analyzed Dry matter (g/kg) Crude protein (CP, g/kg)

892.8 163.7

897.7 167.3

893.5 178.6

898.1 175.8

901.6 167.1

906.1 181.6

Nutrition and energy level calculated4 Metabolizable energy (kcal/kg) Acid detergent fibre (g/kg) Neutral detergent fibre (g/kg) Calcium (g/kg) Available phosphorus (g/kg) Sodium (g/kg) Chlorine (g/kg) Digestible lysine (g/kg) Methionine + digestible cystine (g/kg) Digestible methionine (g/kg) Digestible threonine (g/kg) Digestible tryptophan (g/kg)

2900 44.4 117.6 10.0 4.3 1.7 2.8 8.2 6.6 4.1 6.0 1.9

2900 65.4 148.3 10.0 04.3 1.7 2.8 8.2 6.6 4.1 6.0 1.9

2900 86.3 179.0 10.0 4.3 1.7 2.8 8.2 6.6 4.1 5.9 1.9

2900 107.3 209.7 10.0 4.3 1.7 2.8 8.2 6.6 4.1 5.9 1.9

2900 128.2 240.4 10.0 4.3 1.7 2.8 8.2 6.6 4.1 5.8 1.9

2900 149.1 270.9 10.0 4.3 1.7 2.9 8.2 6.6 4.1 5.8 1.9

1

Contained per kg of diet: vitamin A 13,500 IU, vitamin D3 3750 IU, vitamin E 40 IU, vitamin K3 3.75 mg, vitamin B1 3 mg, vitamin B2 9 mg, nicotinic acid 50 mg, pantothenic acid 20 mg, vitamin B6 4.5 mg, biotin 0.15 mg, folic acid 2.25 mg, vitamin B12 0.025 mg. 2 Contained per kg of diet: manganese 80 mg, iron 50 mg, zinc 50 mg, copper 10 mg, cobalt 0.2 mg, iodine 1.5 mg, selenium 0.38 mg. 3 BRL, Brazilian real. 4 Calculated based Rostagno et al. (2011).

(AMEn) of the diets (kcal/kg DM) were calculated based on the equations proposed by Matterson et al. (1965). 2.5. Performance evaluation in the growing phase The studied performance variables were: feed intake (FI, g/pullet), final body weight (FBW, g/pullet), body weight gain (BWG, g/ pullet), feed conversion (FC, g/g) and uniformity (UN, %). To perform these calculations, birds and feed were weighed at the beginning and at the end of each experimental phase. 2.6. Evaluation of body composition, nutrient retention and energy metabolism in the growing phase At the beginning of the experiment (7th week of age) three groups of two birds were selected, with average weights similar to the average weight of the birds used in the experimental plots. These birds were separated in cages and, after completing a 24 -h fasting meal, they were weighed, euthanized, plucked and weighed again for the determination of fasting weight without feathers. The same procedure was performed at the 17th week of age, with two birds per replicate selected, again with similar weights to the average weight of each replicate. At both ages, carcasses (whole fowl without feathers) were frozen, sawed on tape and ground in a 15-hp industrial meat grinder three times for better homogenization of the sample. From the total sample, a sub-sample was withdrawn, then forced-air dried for 72 h, ball mill processed and analyzed to determine DM (method 934.01), N (Kjeldahl method, method 976.05), ethereal extract (EE, method 920.39) and mineral matter (MM, method 942.05), according to the methodologies described by AOAC (2005), as well as CE using a adiabatic calorimeter pump (Model: C 200 S000, Serial number: 03.416736, IKA® Works, Inc., Wilmington, NC, USA). From the mean levels in the carcasses, the EE, crude protein (CP), MM and total body CE contents were calculated on the 7th and 17th week, and by evaluating the difference, the amount retained during the period was calculated. The methodology of comparative slaughtering (Farrell, 1974) was used for the determination of retained CP (RCP), retained EE (REE), retained MM (RMM), retained 4

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Table 3 Composition, nutrition and energy levels of diets for brown-egg laying pullets from 13 to 17 weeks of age. Ingredients (g/kg)

Sunflower cake level (g/kg) 0

60

120

180

240

300

Corn Soybean meal (450 g/kg CP) Sunflower cake Calcitic limestone Dicalcium phosphate Vitamin supplement1 Mineral supplement2 Common salt DL-methionine L-lysine HCL Washed sand TOTAL Cost of feed (BRL3/kg)

686.2 233.0 0.0 11.9 19.3 1.5 0.5 4.1 1.0 0.0 42.5 1000 1.39

653.9 213.0 60.0 11.6 19.4 1.5 0.5 4.1 0.9 0.0 35.1 1000 1.35

621.7 193.1 120.0 11.3 19.4 1.5 0.5 4.0 0.8 0.0 27.7 1000 1.32

589.3 173.0 180.0 11.0 19.5 1.5 0.5 4.0 0.7 0.1 20.4 1000 1.29

557.2 152.4 240.0 10.7 19.5 1.5 0.5 4.0 0.6 0.4 13.2 1000 1.26

525.0 131.8 300.0 10.3 19.5 1.5 0.5 4.0 0.6 0.7 6.1 1000 1.24

Nutrition and energy level analyzed Dry matter (g/kg) Crude protein (CP, g/kg)

900.6 146.0

902.0 146.7

905.2 148.1

901.4 147.7

900.7 146.9

906.4 151.1

Nutrition and energy level calculated4 Metabolizable energy (kcal/kg) Acid detergent fibre (g/kg) Neutral detergent fibre (g/kg) Calcium5 (g/kg) Available phosphorus (g/kg) Sodium (g/kg) Chlorine (g/kg) Digestible lysine (g/kg) Methionine + digestible cystine (g/kg) Digestible methionine (g/kg) Digestible threonine (g/kg) Digestible tryptophan (g/kg)

2850 42.0 114.0 10.0 4.5 1.8 3.0 7.3 5.6 3.3 5.5 1.7

2850 63.0 144.8 10.0 4.5 1.8 3.0 7.1 5.6 3.3 5.5 1.7

2850 84.0 175.6 10.0 4.5 1.8 3.0 6.9 5.6 3.3 5.4 1.7

2850 105.0 206.3 10.0 4.5 1.8 3.0 6.7 5.6 3.3 5.4 1.7

2850 125.9 237.0 10.0 4.5 1.8 3.0 6.7 5.6 3.3 5.4 1.7

2850 146.9 267.8 10.0 4.5 1.8 3.0 6.7 5.6 3.3 5.4 1.7

1 Contained per kg of diet: vitamin A 13,500 IU, vitamin D3 3750 IU, vitamin E 40 IU, vitamin K3 3.75 mg, vitamin B1 3 mg, vitamin B2 9 mg, nicotinic acid 50 mg, pantothenic acid 20 mg, vitamin B6 4.5 mg, biotin 0.15 mg, folic acid 2.25 mg, vitamin B12 0.025 mg. 2 Contained per kg of diet: manganese 80 mg, iron 50 mg, zinc 50 mg, copper 10 mg, cobalt 0.2 mg, iodine 1.5 mg, selenium 0.38 mg. 3 BRL, Brazilian real. 4 Calculated based Rostagno et al. (2011). 5 At the end of the 15th week the diets were adjusted to reach the level of 25 g/kg of calcium according to the recommended in the lineage manual (Hy-Line International, 2016).

energy (RE) and heat production (HP). HP was calculated using the following formula: HP, Ingested metabolizable energy (IME) – RE, where: IME, AMEn ingested and RE, retained body energy. In the calculation of the intake of EMAn, the AMEn determined for each diet in the metabolism assays was considered. 2.7. Evaluation of economic viability in the growing phase In order to verify the economic viability, the cost of the feed (CF, Brazilian Real (BRL)/kg of body weight gain) was determined according to the methodology proposed by Bellaver et al. (1985). The economic efficiency index (EEI, %) and the cost index (CI, %) were also calculated, according to the methodology proposed by Fialho et al. (1992). For diet formulation, values of 0.80, 1.17, 1.96 and 3.60 BRL/kg for SC, corn, soybean meal and soybean oil, respectively, were considered; these prices were in practice at the time of the experiment. 2.8. Impact evaluation of the growth phase (7–17 week) on the beginning of production phase (18–35 week) At the end of the 17th week, the 432 remaining birds (648 initial birds subtracting selected and removed birds for experimental analysis in the period of 7–17 weeks) were transferred to a laying shed, maintaining the same experimental design used in the growth phase, with change only in the number of birds per pen which reduced to 12 birds per pen. The birds were distributed to galvanized wire cages (25 cm long x45 cm wide x40 cm high), equipped with galvanized plate trough feeders and nipple-type drinking fountains, at a density of two birds/cage (563cm2/bird). The light program was 14 h of light/day after transfer to the laying shed, with weekly increases starting the following week; increases were 15 min of light per day until it reached 16 h of light per day, after which it remained constant until the end of the experiment. At this stage, the experimental period lasted until the birds reached 35 weeks of age, and this time was divided into six periods of 21 5

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days each. All the birds were fed ad libitum with a single laying diet (Table 4), formulated with corn and soybean meal according to the nutritional recommendations from the lineage manual (Hy-Line International, 2016) and according to the food composition values proposed by Rostagno et al. (2011). For sexual maturity, the evaluated variables were: mean age at 1 st egg (MA 1 st, days), mean age for 50 % of birds to lay eggs (MA 50 %, days), mean age for 100 % of birds to lay eggs (MA 100 %, days) and egg weight of 1 st egg (EW 1 st, g). For performance, the evaluated variables were: egg production (EP, %), feed intake (FI, g/bird/day), egg weight (EW, g), egg mass (EM, g/bird/day) and feed conversion/egg mass (FCEM, g/g). For egg quality and characteristics, the evaluated variables were: percentage of albumen, yolk and shell (g/100 g), specific gravity (SG, g/cm3), Haugh units (HU) and shell thickness (ST, mm). To calculate the variables, the egg production of each replicate was recorded daily. In each period, the diets and leftovers were weighed per repetition. Once a week, the eggs of each plot were collected, identified and weighed in an electronic scale with a pre­ cision of 0.01 g. Three eggs were selected (avoiding broken, cracked or dirty eggs), based on their mean weight, to perform the an­ alyses. The SG of the eggs was determined according to the procedures described by Freitas et al. (2004). 2.9. Climate variables During the whole experimental period, the ambient temperature and the relative humidity of the air inside the sheds were recorded using portable data loggers. The average values obtained for these variables were 29.70 ± 2.27 ◦ C and 60.40 ± 11.30 % for the growth phase (7–17 weeks) and 28.89 ± 1.83 ◦ C and 69.22 ± 10.90 % for the posture phase (18–35 weeks), respectively. 2.10. Statistical analysis Were done using PROC GLM of SAS (2018). Data were subjected to analysis of variance according to a completely randomized model with six treatments and six pens: Yij = μ + Ti + eij Where: Yij = observation j of experimental unit subjected to treatments Ti; μ = overall mean; Ti = effect of experimental diet with 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 g/kg of SC; and eij = random error associated to each observation. For the parameters in growth phase: Table 4 Composition, nutrition and energy levels of the diet for brown-egg layng hens from 18 to 35 weeks of age. Total Mixed Ration Ingredients (g/kg) Corn Soybean meal (450 g/kg CP) Soybean oil Calcitic limestone Dicalcium phosphate Mineral and vitamin supplement1 Common salt DL-methionine L-lysine HCL TOTAL

592.8 268.8 20.1 90.8 19.7 1.0 4.1 2.4 0.3 1000

Nutrition and energy level calculated2 Metabolizable energy (kcal/kg) Crude protein (CP, g/kg) Acid detergent fibre (g/kg) Neutral detergent fibre (g/kg) Calcium (g/kg) Available phosphorus (g/kg) Sodium (g/kg) Chlorine (g/kg) Digestible lysine (g/kg) Methionine + digestible cystine (g/kg) Digestible methionine (g/kg) Digestible threonine (g/kg) Digestible tryptophan (g/kg)

2800 170.0 41.7 107.8 42.0 4.6 1.8 2.9 8.3 7.1 4.8 5.8 1.9

1

Contained per kg of diet: vitamin A 8000 IU, vitamin D3 3500 IU, vitamin E 30 IU, vitamin K3 2.75 mg, vitamin B1 4 mg, vitamin B2 6 mg, niacin 40 mg, pan­ tothenic acid 9.3 mg, vitamin B6 3.5 mg, biotin 0.2 mg, folic acid 2 mg, vitamin B12 0.06 mg, cobalt 0.1 mg, copper 6 mg, iron 50 mg, iodine 1 mg, manganese 80 mg, selenium 0.2 mg, zinc 50 mg. 2 Calculated based Rostagno et al. (2011). 6

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performance, body composition, retention of nutrients, energy metabolism and economic viability evaluation each pen consisted of 18 birds distributed in three cages, six birds per cage. For the parameters in production phase: sexual maturity, egg characteristics and egg quality each pen consisted of 12 birds distributed in six cages, two birds per cage. The degrees of freedom referring to the levels of inclusion of SC, excluding the control diet (0 g/kg of inclusion) were submitted to polynomial regression, to establish the curve that best describes the data behavior and to determine the best level of SC addition. Additionally, Dunnett’s test was used to compare the dietary inclusion levels of SC (60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 g/kg) with the control diet (0 g/kg of SC). 3. Results 3.1. Evaluation of nutrient metabolizability and metabolizable energy values of diets in the growing phase According to the metabolism tests, in the periods from 7–12 and 13–17 weeks of age (Table 5), there was a difference (P < 0.05) between treatments for MCDM, MCN, MCCE and AME and AMEn values. Birds fed diets with from 60 g/kg of SC presented a reduction (P < 0.05) in MCDM, MCN, MCCE and AME and AMEn values, compared to birds fed the control diet. The inclusion of SC from 60 to 300 g/kg promoted a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in the metabolizable coefficients and metabolizable energy values of the diets. In the 7–12 weeks phase, these linear formulas were as follows: MCDM (Y = 79.46 – 0.30X; R2 = 0.95), MCN (Y = 61.16 – 0.12X; R2 = 0.98), CMCE (Y = 81.98 – 0.31X; R2 = 0.99), AME (Y = 3402 – 7.12X; R2 = 0.96) and AMEn (Y = 3247 – 7.07X; R2 = 0.95). In the 13–17 weeks phase, these linear formulas were: MCDM (Y = 78.17 – 0.30X; R2 = 0.99), MCN (Y = 65.11 – 0.24X; R2 = 0.98), MCCE (Y = 85.90 – 0.35X; R2 = 0.99), AME (Y = 3283 – 6.92X; R2 = 0.99) and AMEn (Y = 3177 – 6.93X; R2 = 0.99). 3.2. Performance evaluation in the growing phase Results for the FI, FBW, BWG, FC and UN of pullets fed diets containing SC between 7 and 17 weeks of age are shown in Table 6. The applied treatments did not influence (P < 0.05) FBW, WG and the UN and influenced (P < 0.05) FI and FC. Pullets fed diets containing 180, 240 and 300 g/kg of SC increased their FI compared to those consuming the control diet (0 g/kg of SC), and only those receiving 300 g/kg of SC showed a worse in FC values. There was a linear increase (P < 0.05) from the inclusion of 60 g/kg of SC in the diet, but only for FI (Y = 4043.90 + 4.8695X; R2 = 0.97) and FC (Y = 4.554 + 0.0103X; R2 = 0.96) of the pullets. 3.3. Evaluation of body composition, nutrient retention and energy metabolism in the growing phase Body composition (Table 7), nutrient retention (Table 8) and energy metabolism (Table 9) of the pullets were not influenced (P < 0.05) by the applied treatments, indicating that the inclusion of up to 300 g/kg of SC was not sufficient to affect these variables. 3.4. Evaluation of economic viability in the growing phase The economic viability parameters (Table 10) were influenced (P < 0.05) by the use of SC in the diets fed to the pullets during the Table 5 Metabolizability of nutrients and metabolizable energy values of diets containing sunflower cake for brown-egg laying pullets from 7 to 12 and 13 to 17 weeks of age1. Variables2

Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

7 to 12 weeks of age MCDM MCN MCCE AME (kcal/kg/DM) AMEn (kcal/kg DM)

0.790 0.631 0.834 3508 3374

0.770* 0.606* 0.803* 3351* 3204*

0.761* 0.596* 0.781* 3336* 3177*

0.745* 0.588* 0.762* 3259* 3095*

0.728* 0.581* 0.743 3235* 3089*

0.696* 0.577* 0.727* 3188* 3036*

0.607 0.378 0.694 0.020 0.020

< 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001

0.056 0.526 0.536 0.939 0.862

13 to 17 weeks of age MCDM MCN MCCE AME (kcal/kg/DM) AMEn (kcal/kg DM)

0.787 0.649 0.851 3338 3203

0.762* 0.637* 0.836* 3241* 3138*

0.747* 0.624* 0.822* 3199* 3088*

0.730* 0.602* 0.793* 3156* 3052*

0.714* 0.595* 0.771* 3124* 3022*

0.690* 0.579* 0.757* 3071* 2963*

0.614 0.517 0.668 0.02 0.02

< 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001

0.327 0.761 0.733 0.865 0.847

1 MCDM, Metabolizability coefficients of dry matter, MCN, Metabolizability coefficients of nitrogen, MCCE, Metabolizability coefficients of crude energy, AME, Apparent metabolizable energy, DM, Dry matter, AMEn, Apparent metabolizable energy corrected by the nitrogen balance, SEM, Standrad error of the mean, L, Linear, Q, Quadratic. 2 Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (18 pullets per pen distributed in three cages, six birds per cage). * It differs from the 0 g/kg sunflower cake treatment.

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Table 6 Performance of brown-egg laying pullets fed diets containing sunflower cake in the period from 7 to 17 weeks of age1. Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

Variables2 Feed intake (g/pullet) Final body weight (g/pullet) Body weight gain (g/pullet) Feed conversion (g/g) Uniformity (%) 1 2 *

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

4012.65 1439.25 868.72 4.62 89.52

4069.21 1443.09 879.54 4.63 89.16

4099.55 1436.93 875.52 4.68 90.45

4145.65* 1441.66 878.63 4.72 88.77

4156.66* 1435.93 870.43 4.78 87.60

4186.74* 1426.22 858.51 4.89* 87.58

15.200 4.690 3.219 0.020 0.815

0.004 0.360 0.055 < 0.001 0.316

0.751 0.698 0.340 0.436 0.768

SEM, Standrad error of the mean, L, Linear, Q = Quadratic. Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (18 pullets per pen distributed in three cages, six birds per cage). It differs from the 0 g/kg sunflower cake treatment.

Table 7 Body composition of 17-week-old of brown-egg laying pullets fed diets containing sunflower cake from 7 to 17 weeks of age1. Variables2 (g/kg) Dry Matter (DM) Crude protein in DM Ethereal extract in DM Mineral matter in DM 1 2

Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

331.1 197.0 144.0 28.6

330.8 196.6 143.7 28.3

331.3 196.7 144.1 27.9

330.1 196.4 143.4 28.2

329.8 196.2 142.9 27.5

329.6 195.9 142.5 27.2

0.253 0.111 0.164 0.035

0.839 0.833 0.801 0.273

0.976 0.943 0.937 0.768

SEM, Standrad error of the mean, L, Linear, Q, Quadratic. Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (18 pullets per pen distributed in three cages, six birds per cage).

Table 8 Retention of nutrients in the carcass of brown-egg laying pullets fed diets containing sunflower cake from 7 to 17 weeks of age1. Variables2 (g/kg0.75/day) Crude protein Ethereal extract Mineral matter 1 2

Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

2.49 2.43 0.34

2.47 2.41 0.33

2.49 2.43 0.33

2.50 2.43 0.34

2.44 2.40 0.32

2.41 2.47 0.31

0.031 0.036 0.006

0.469 0.764 0.191

0.844 0.482 0.464

SEM, Standrad error of the mean, L, Linear, Q, Quadratic. Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (18 pullets per pen distributed in three cages, six birds per cage).

Table 9 Energy metabolism of brown-egg laying pullets fed diets containing sunflower cake from 7 to 17 weeks1. Variables2 Ingested metabolizable energy (IME, kcal/kg0.75/day) Retained energy (RE, kcal/kg0.75/day) Heat production (HP, kcal/kg0.75/day) RE/IME (%) HP/IME (%) 1 2

Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

197.76 33.47 164.29 16.93 83.07

197.68 33.31 164.37 16.85 83.15

197.42 33.27 164.14 16.86 83.14

197.58 33.22 164.37 16.82 83.18

197.70 33.19 164.51 16.79 83.21

197.79 33.09 164.70 16.73 83.27

0.296 0.408 0.460 0.206 0.206

0.324 0.418 0.418 0.874 0.241

0.412 0.405 0.405 0.145 0.758

SEM, Standrad error of the mean, L, Linear, Q, Quadratic. Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (18 pullets per pen distributed in three cages, six birds per cage).

growth period. The inclusion of 180 g/kg of SC resulted in a lower CF and CI and, consequently, a higher EEI compared to the control group. According to regression analysis, there was a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in the CF (Y = 6.479− 0.0125X; R2 = 0.99) and CI (Y = 106.42− 0.2083X; R2 = 0.99) and a linear increase (P < 0.05) in the EEI (Y = 93.873 + 0.1992X; R2 = 0.99) from the inclusion of 60 g/ kg of SC in the diets. 3.5. Impact evaluation of the growth phase on the start of the production phase SC levels in the diets of pullets from 7–17 weeks of age had no effects (P < 0.05) on sexual maturity variables: MA 1 st, MA 50 %, MA 100 % and WM 1 st (Table 11). The FI, EP, EW, EM and FCEM of laying hens at the beginning of the production cycle (18–35 weeks of age) did not suffer a residual effect (P < 0.05) due to the inclusion of SC in the diets of the pullets (Table 12). The treatments applied in the 7–17 weeks old phase of the pullets did not have an effect (P < 0.05) on the percentage of albumen, yolk and shell and SG, HU and 8

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Table 10 Economic viability evaluation of the inclusion of sunflower cake in the feed of brown-egg laying pullets from 7 to 17 weeks of age1. Variables2 Cost of the feed (BRL/kg gain) Economic efficiency index (%) Cost index (%)

Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

6.53 93.33 107.24

6.40 95.19 105.07

6.33 96.17 103.99

6.25* 97.50* 102.63*

6.20* 98.36* 101.71*

6.09* 100.07* 99.96*

0.032 0.450 0.493

< 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001

0.745 0.730 0.763

1

SEM, Standard error of the mean, L, Linear, Q = Quadratic. Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (18 pullets per pen distributed in three cages, six birds per cage), Cost of the feed (BRL, Brazilian real) per kg of body weight gain, calculated according to the equation proposed by Bellaver et al. (1985): Yi = (Ai x Pi) / Wi, where Yi = Cost of the feed per kg of body weight gain in the i-th treatment, Ai = amount of feed consumed in the i-th treatment, Pi = price per kg of feed used in the i-th treatment and Wi = body weight gain in the i-th treatment; Economic efficiency index (EEI), calculated according to the equation proposed by Fialho et al. (1992): EEI = (FCei /CTei) x 100, where FCei = lower feed cost per kg of body weight gain observed between treatments and CTei = Cost of treatment i considered; Cost index (CI), calculated according to the equation proposed by Fialho et al. (1992): CI = (CTei/FCei) where CTei = Cost of treatment i considered and FCei = lower feed cost per kg of body weight gain observed between treatments. * It differs from the 0 g/kg sunflower cake treatment. 2

ST of laying hens at the beginning of the production phase (Table 13). 4. Discussion 4.1. Evaluation of nutrient metabolizability and metabolizable energy values of diets in the growing phase The antinutritional factors present in SC, especially the high fibre content (474 g/kg of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and 312 g/kg of acid detergent fibre (ADF)), may have been responsible for the effects on these variables. SC has a high concentration of non-starch polysaccharides, especially cellulose and lignin, which can not be degraded by the endogenous enzymes of the birds (Berwanger et al., 2017b). In addition, the cellulolytic complex acts as a barrier in the digestive system of birds, damaging the enzymatic action, increasing the endogenous loss of nutrients and, consequently, reducing the availability of dietary energy for these animals (Janssen and Carr´e, 1989). According to Khajali and Slominski (2012) and Pascoal and Watanabe (2014), an elevation of dietary fibre con­ centration may reduce feed passage time in the gastrointestinal tract, minimizing enzyme access to the food and affecting the efficiency of nutrient utilization. Berwanger et al. (2014) observed a reduction in the AMEn values of SC as they increased the level of SC (100, 200, 300 and 400 g/kg) in the reference diet of broilers, they related this effect to the high fibre content of SC. According to Rostagno et al. (2017), the fibrous portion of the sunflower meal, which is also a residue from oilseed processing for oil extraction, is mostly composed of insoluble non-starch polysaccharides, and that, depending on the amount of SC added to the feed, this may lead to reduced nutrient availability for absorption as a consequence of increased peristaltic movements of the intestinal tract, motility of the food bolus, less maintenance of the food in the gastrointestinal tract and enzymatic action on the substrate. 4.2. Performance evaluation in the growing phase The negative effect of including SC on the FI and FC of the pullets may be mainly related to the fibre content of SC, as was demonstrated based on the effects of SC on the metabolizable nutrients and metabolizable energy values of the diets (Table 5). Relatedly, the inclusion of high levels of fibrous food can promote the dilution of energy and nutrients in a diet. When this happens, birds respond with a compensatory increase in FI in an attempt to reach the necessary requirements for maintenance, development and production (Roberts et al., 2007); this occurred for the birds that consumed the diets containing 180, 240 and 300 g/kg of SC, which led to an elevated FI to maintain BWG and FBW at a level similar to those fed the control diet. It is important to emphasize that, although 180, 240 and 300 g/kg of SC led to an increase in the FI of the pullets (compared to the FI of those fed the control diet), FC was negatively influenced by the inclusion of 300 g/kg of SC only. FC is a major variable in the evaluation of performance and decisions about intake. Inclusion of SC at levels up to 125 g/kg (Kargopoulos et al., 2017) and 210 g/kg (Pinheiro et al., 2013) in the diet of brown-egg laying pullets from 1 to 20 and 10–16 weeks of age, respectively, did not have any adverse effects on the performance of the birds, corroborating with the results of the present study. In a study with sunflower meal, which has similar limitations to SC, Abdallah et al. (2015) observed a significant improvement in the BWG and FC of pullets between 11 and 19 weeks of age when fed diets with up to 140 g/kg sunflower meal. Conversely, Panaite et al. (2016) did not observe an effect of up to 216 g/kg sunflower meal on the BWG of pullets from 9 to 16 weeks of age. Moderate fibre levels may stimulate the development of gizzard and other digestive tract portions and increase chyme transit time ´lez-Alvarado et al., 2007). It may also increase the production of in the poultry digestive system (Hetland and Svihus, 2001; Gonza hydrochloric acid and bile acids and improve amylase activity, significantly favoring the process of digestion and absorption of nu­ trients by birds (Hetland et al., 2003; Mateos et al., 2012).

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Table 11 Sexual maturity of brown-egg laying hens fed diets containing sunflower cake from 7 to 17 weeks of age1. Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

Variables2 Mean age at 1 st egg (days) Mean age for 50 % of birds to lay eggs (days) Mean age for 100 % of birds to lay eggs (days) Egg weight of 1 st egg (g) 1 2

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

128.67 139.67 147.83 43.45

127.50 140.00 148.17 42.66

129.67 139.83 150.33 42.38

130.17 140.67 150.00 43.81

128.50 139.83 148.67 44.65

131.50 139.67 147.67 43.67

0.764 0.382 0.531 0.815

0.235 0.825 0.521 0.508

0.942 0.645 0.133 0.800

SEM, Standrad error of the mean, L, Linear, Q, Quadratic. Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (12 birds per pen distributed in six cages, two birds per cage).

Table 12 Performance of brown-egg laying hens from 18 to 35 weeks of age after being fed diets containing sunflower cake from 7 to 17 weeks1. Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

Variables2 Feed intake (g/bird/day) Egg production (%) Egg weight (g) Egg mass (EM, g/bird/day) Feed conversion/EM (g/g) 1 2

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

93.64 0.924 57.75 53.36 1.76

92.98 0.914 57.21 52.30 1.78

93.99 0.914 56.98 52.09 1.81

94.66 0.919 57.50 52.89 1.79

94.92 0.923 57.19 52.78 1.80

94.58 0.920 57.76 53.13 1.78

0.355 0.300 0.157 0.240 0.007

0.134 0.334 0.359 0.220 0.878

0.335 0.639 0.756 0.924 0.268

SEM, Standrad error of the mean, L, Linear, Q, Quadratic. Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (12 birds per pen distributed in six cages, two birds per cage).

Table 13 Egg characteristics and egg quality of brown-egg laying hens in the period from 18 to 35 weeks of age after being fed diets containing sunflower cake from 7 to 17 weeks1. Variables2 Albumin (g/100 g) Egg Yolk (g/100 g) Eggshell (g/100 g) Specific gravity (g/cm3) Haugh Unit Shell thickness (mm) 1 2

Diet containing sunflower cake (g/kg)

P-value

0

60

120

180

240

300

SEM

L

Q

68.93 21.21 9.91 1.098 98.96 0.465

68.88 21.27 9.89 1.096 98.98 0.467

68.86 21.25 9.93 1.095 98.95 0.468

68.95 21.23 9.86 1.094 98.97 0.465

68.88 21.30 9.87 1.094 98.99 0.456

68.92 21.30 9.85 1.095 99.00 0.465

0.041 0.037 0.023 0.0003 0.106 0.0014

0.958 0.468 0.374 0.100 0.917 0.233

0.794 0.974 0.874 0.119 0.963 0.828

SEM, Standrad error of the mean, L, Linear, Q, Quadratic. Data are mean values of six pen per treatment (12 birds per pen distributed in six cages, two birds per cage).

4.3. Evaluation of body composition, nutrient retention and energy metabolism in the growing phase The similarities in body composition and retention of nutrients across all applied treatments can be attributed to the birds increasing FI to counterbalance the negative effects of SC on the nutrient utilization of the diet in order to maintain an adequate quantity of nutrients and energy to meet their demands. This was demonstrated by the absence of a difference in BWG and, conse­ quently, in the FBW of the pullets at 17 weeks of age (Table 5). An increase in the concentration of fibre of the diet can increase the caloric increment and thus reduce the energy utilization ef­ ficiency of the diet. (Noblet and Van Milgen, 2004). However, our results indicate that the energy metabolism of the pullets was not influenced by the inclusion of SC. The SC in the present study contained a significant amount of oil (155.2 g/kg of crud fat), which may have counterbalanced the caloric increment and energy efficiency of the diet, since the energy efficiency of the diet increases with the addition of fat and decreases with the addition of fibres (Noblet et al., 1994). According to Noblet and Van Milgen (2004), while fibre has an efficiency of 60 % utilization of metabolizable energy, that of fat is 90 %. Nevertheless, despite having a high amount of fiber, the inclusion of up to 300 g/kg of SC did not compromise the energy metabolism of the birds. 4.4. Evaluation of economic viability in the growing phase The economic evaluation of the inclusion of alternative foods in the diet of birds, as well as the level to be used, is fundamentally important to decision making. Economic evaluation allows for an investigation of the association of the effects of the food on the cost of the feed with the nutritional effects generated on the parameters of bird performance, proving a cost/benefit analysis of their use (Arruda et al., 2016). For example, birds fed a diet containing 300 g/kg of SC showed a significant worsening in performance pa­ rameters (FI and FC) relative to those consuming the control diet. However, the value of CF obtained with the diet containing 300 g/kg 10

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SC was lower by 0.44 BRL/kg of body weight gain, the EEI was 7% higher and, consequently, the CI was 7% lower than the control diet. 4.5. Impact evaluation of the growth phase on the start of the production phase At the end of the growth phase, the quality of poultry has a great influence on, and a direct relation with, the performance of these variables in the production phase, since pullets’ formation processes take place during the growth period. Thus, at the end of this phase, future laying hens must present ideal weight and body conditions to be able fulfill their productive potential (Braz et al., 2011; Freitas et al., 2014). The sexual maturity of the laying hens is closely related to the BWG, FBW, UN of the lot and the body composition of the pullets at the end of the growth phase. Since the applied treatments did not influence these variables at the 17th week, and the observed BWG, FBW and UN were very close to the BWG (860 g), FBW (1400 g) and UN (90 %) recommended by the lineage manual (Hy-Line In­ ternational, 2016), we expected the sexual maturity variables to be similar, as we observed. In addition to influencing sexual maturity, the characteristics of pullets at the end of the growth phase have a determining influence on performance during the laying phase. Thus, the results obtained for FBW, UN and body composition at the end of the growth phase also ensured that the different treatments would have no influence on the performance of the birds. According to Moretti (1992), adequate intake of nutrients and energy balance of the pullets is fundamental to supporting proper body development, warping and formation of the reproductive apparatus and the accumulation of energy reserves in the birds, which will be relevant in the most critical moments of the posture phase (Leeson and Summers, 1997). According to Leeson and Summers (1997), egg weight has a direct influence on the body weight of the pullet at sexual maturity. In addition, egg weight and, consequently, the proportion of the egg components, are highly influenced by the concentration of protein, amino acids and linoleic acid in the diet. Thus, the absence of a residual effect of the growth phase on the egg characteristics and egg quality was expected since the pullets had similar body weights at week 17 and similar sexual maturity across all treatments. During the period of 18 at 35 weeks, laying hens were fed the same experimental diet, formulated to meet the nutritional and energy rec­ ommendations included in the lineage manual (Hy-Line International, 2016); they also showed no difference in FI during this period. Braz et al. (2011) did not observe a residual effect of including 145, 165 and 185 g/kg NDF in the diet of pullets (at 7–17 weeks of age) on the sexual maturity, performance, egg characteristics and egg quality of lightweight and brown-egg laying hens at 18–35 weeks of age. Similarly, they did not observe a residual effect of including up to 205 g/kg (diet at 7–12 weeks) and 244 g/kg (diet at 13–17 weeks) wheat bran in the diet. This lack of effect was demonstrated even though there was a reduction in the digestibility of nutrients and metabolizable energy of the diets from the inclusion of 145 g/kg NDF and a reduction in the FC of the lightweight birds at the end of the 17th week. Pullets from 11 to 19 weeks of age fed diets containing 0, 70 and 140 g/kg of sunflower meal (SM) showed a reduction in age at sexual maturity from 137 days (0 g/kg SM) to 131.33 (70 g/kg SM) and 130.67 days (140 g/kg SM) and increased reproductive performance between 20 and 40 weeks of age (Abdallah et al., 2015). In the growth phase, the use of fibre at adequate concentrations generated positive effects on the development of the digestive tract of pullets and on the FI of laying hens at the beginning of the production cycle, when, in general, FI is not enough for the hens to meet their nutritional demands (Tierzucht, 2016). 5. Conclusion Levels up to 300 g/kg of sunflower cake can be included in the feeding of brown-egg laying pullets from 7 to 17 weeks of age without negatively influencing their quality and sexual maturity and generate residual effects on performance, characteristics and quality of eggs in the production phase (18–35 weeks). In relation to the control diet sunflower cake levels from 180 g/kg provided lower feeding cost per kg of pullets body weight gain from 7 to 17 weeks of age. Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no declarations of interest. Acknowledgments ´gico (CNPq) for scholarship and financial support and Hy-Line To the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnolo of Brazil for the donation of birds. References Abdallah, A.G., Beshara, M.M., Ibrahim, A.F., 2015. Effect of different levels and sources of dietary fiber on productive and economical performance in local laying hens: 1-during growing period and subsequent laying performance. Egypt. Poult. Sci. J. 35, 367–398. Alencar, A.V.O., do Nascimento, G.A.J., Freitas, E.R., Souza, D.H., de O. Costa, M.K., Rocha, A.K.S., 2019. Performance of lightweight replacement pullets fed rations with sunflower cake and the addition of enzymes. Pesq. Agropec. Bras. 54, e00983. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2019.v54.00983. Andrade, T.V., Santos, R.N.V., Araújo, D.J., Braulino, D.S., Moura, M.V.B.T.P., Borges, L.S.B., 2015. Factors effect antinutritional found in alternative food and its impact on non-ruminant - review. Nutritime Revista Eletrˆ onica 12, 4393–4399. Antoszkiewicz, Z., Tywonczuc, J., Matusevicius, P., 2004. Effect in indusion of sunflower cake and enzymatic preparations diets for growing pigs. Vet. Med. Zoot. 26, 17–22. AOAC, 2005. Official methods of analysis. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 15th ed. AOAC Int., Washington, DC, USA.

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