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The Effect of 3% Added Animal Fat on Laying Hen Performance1
METABOLIZABLE ENERGY OF SOYBEAN PRODUCTS relationship was evident between differences in proximate composition and metabolizable energy content in the case of the soybean oil meals. The metabolizable energy content of soybean millfeed increased as the fat and protein content of this material increased and its crude fiber content decreased. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
pies, and all the proximate analysis data, were provided through Mr. W. D . McMillan of the G.L.F. Cooperative Exchange, Inc., Ithaca, N . Y. Their cooperation is gratefully acknowledged. REFERENCES Anderson, D. L., F. W., Hill and R. Renner, 1958. Studies of the metabolizable and productive energy of glucose for the growing chick. J. Nutrition, 65: 561-574. Hill, F. W., and D. L. Anderson, 1958. Comparison of metabolizable energy and productive energy determinations with growing chicks. J. Nutrition, 64: 587-608. Hill, F. W., D. L. Anderson, R. Renner and L. B. Carew, Jr., 1960. Studies of the metabolizable energy of grains and grain products for chickens. Poultry Sci. 39: 573-579.
The Effect of Z% Added Animal Fat on Laying Hen Performance 1 W. E . D O N A L D S O N AND C. D .
GORDON 2
Poultry Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R. I. (Received for publication August 24, 1959)
INTRODUCTION
S
I N C E the discovery t h a t fats provide an excellent source of energy in broiler rations, considerable work has been conducted to determine the value of fat in rations for laying hens. Lillie el al. (1952) replaced 3 % corn with an equal a m o u n t of lard in a laying ration and improved feed conversion without affecting egg production. Hill et al. (1956) showed t h a t the addition of u p to 5 % animal fat improved both egg production and feed efficiency during the winter months. These workers found t h a t for each 1 Contribution number 983 of the Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station. 2 Present address: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland.
1% added fat there was a 2 % reduction in feed consumption, and also t h a t b o d y weight gain during the production year increased with increasing energy concentration in the ration. I n one experiment, Weiss and Fisher (1957) found t h a t 1 0 % added animal fat fed to White Leghorns from 8 to 32 weeks of age reduced egg production and resulted in a mortality level of 1 5 % as compared to 8 % for the controls. I n a second experiment, 5 % added animal fat had no effect on egg production during a 3 week test period. Lillie et al. (1957) observed t h a t added fat had no effect on egg production, b u t improved feed conversion and increased body weight gains. The same effect was noted b y T u r k et al. (1958) with rations
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
These studies were supported in p a r t b y a grant-in-aid from T h e National Soybean Processors Association, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. Most of the samples studied were obtained through the cooperation of the Soybean Research Council of t h a t organization. Other sam-
583
584
W. E. DONALDSON AND C. D. GORDON TABLE 2.—Effect
of 3% added animal fat on egg
in which C/P ratios remained constant while the energy levels increased. The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of replacing 3 % ground yellow corn with 3 % stabilized animal fat in a laying ration.
Heavy breeds
0 3
73.7 71.5
255 235*
4.65 5.06
12,776 12,893
PROCEDURE
Light breeds
0 3
78.1 74.4
267 251
4.24 4.63
8,659 8,843
Average of both 2
0 3
75.5 72.8
260 242*
4.46 4.85
21,435 21,736
TABLE 1.—Composition of rations used Ingredients
0% added fat
3% added fat
Lbs.
Lbs.
1,204.0 Ground yellow corn 1,144.0 100.0 100.0 Wheat standard middlings 60.0 Stabilized animal fat 400.0 400.0 Soybean oil meal, 44% protein 100.0 100.0 Fish meal, menhaden, 60% protein 1.0 1.0 DI/-methionine Alfalfa meal, 17% protein 40.0 100,000 I.U. of vitamin A/lb. 40.0 Butyl fermentation solubles, (227 40.0 40.0 mg. of riboflavin/lb.) 24.0 Dicalcium phosphate 24.0 78.0 Ground limestone* 78.0 2.0 Trace mineral mixf 2.0 14.0 Salt 14.0 Dry vitamin A and Ds supplement, (10,000 I.U. of A and 1,5001.C.U. of Ds/gram) 0.5 0.5 Choline chloride, 25% mix 1.0 1.0 Vitamin Bu supplement (6 mg./lb.) 1.0 1.0 Vitamin E supplement (20,000 I.U. 0.25 of E/lb.) 0.25 Niacin 10 grams 10 grams
Calculated Analysis: Crude protein, % Productive energy (Fraps, 1946), Cal./lb.i Calorie-protein (C/P) ratio
19.0
18.7
899 47.5
952 50.9
* Calcite grit available free-choice at all times. t Containing not less than 6% manganese, 2% iron, 0.2% copper, 0.12% iodine, 0.02% cobalt and 26.5% calcium. f[Fat F assumed to contain 2,900 Cal./lb. '••
Group1
Added Hen-day pEr ™ , " , ^ ^ L b s - feed Total feed 0 fat, produc? " c ' o n ' per doz. consumed, % tion, % <%&% eggs lbs.
1 All pens with an average weight of more than 5 pounds at the beginning of the experiment were classified as heavy breeds (10 rjens of 13 birds each/treatment); pens under 5 pounds were classified as light breeds (7 pens of 13 birds each/treatment). 2 This is a weighted average of the heavy and light breeds, with the exception of feed consumption which is expressed as the total consumption of both groups. * Statistically significant differences (P=0.05).
fat used was stabilized with butylated hydroxytoluene and had a titer of 35°C. Feed and water were available ad libitum. The experiment was begun on October 1st and was continued for 350 days. All birds were trap-nested daily. Analyses of variance (Snedecor, 1946) were made of henhoused and hen-day egg production. Feed consumption was determined monthly by pens, and body weights were recorded at the beginning and end of the test. Mortality was recorded as it occurred and autopsies were performed on all birds that died. All eggs produced on the 150th day of the experiment were saved for egg quality determinations. The measurements used were egg weight, Haugh units, shell thickness and yolk color. The method of Heiman and Carver (1935) was used to measure yolk color. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 2 shows the effect of added animal fat on egg production and feed consumption. Although all groups receiving fat exhibited poorer hen-day egg production, the differences were not statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were noted in the heavy breeds and in the average of both heavy and light breeds when egg production was expressed
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
The pullets used in this experiment were entries in the 27th Annual Rhode Island Standard Laying Test with each entry consisting of 26 birds. The ages of the entries ranged between 5f and 7 months. Thirteen birds from each entry were selected at random and placed on the basal (0% added fat) ration, and the remaining 13 birds were placed on the 3 % added fat ration. There were a total of 17 comparisons of 0 and 3 % added fat with a total of 221 birds per treatment. Each group of 13 birds was housed in an 8' X10' floor pen. Table 1 shows the rations used. Fat replaced corn in the basal ration on a pound for pound basis with no alternations to correct for protein content. The
production and feed consumption
585
ANIMAL FAT FOR LAYING HENS TABLE 3.—Effect
of 3% added animal fat on body
weight and mortality1
Gain in body
Mortality
%
*£;
wt.ibs.
%
Heavy breeds
0 3
5.39 5.40
1.01 1.40
2.3 10.8
Light breeds
0 3
4.41 4.45
1.35 1.48
6.6 5.5
Average of both
0 3
4.99 5.01
1.19 1.45
4.1 8.6
1
Added fat,
^jf
See Table 2 footnotes.
on a hen-housed basis. However, henhoused production was not significantly decreased by fat in the light breeds. Feed conversion was poorer in the fat-fed groups and total feed consumption was higher. Body weight and mortality data are presented in Table 3. All fat-fed groups gained more body weight than the controls, but the gains were appreciably greater in heavy as compared to light breeds. Added fat resulted in higher mortality with heavy breeds but not with light breeds. Table 4 shows the egg quality data. Added fat had no effect on egg weight, Haught units, shell shickness and yolk color. The fact that added fat decreased henhoused egg production while having no effect on hen-day production in the heavy breeds strongly suggests that fat does not influence egg production directly, but does influence mortality which in turn directly affects egg production. This is further borne out by the fact that in the light breeds, neither mortality nor egg production differed. Post-mortem examinations revealed that approximately one-half of the fat-fed heavy breed birds that died were either obese or had suffered kidney or liver hemorrhages. The
In growing chickens, numerous workers have shown that a relationship exists between the energy and protein (amino TABLE 4.—Effect
of 3% added animal
fat on egg quality1
Added fat, %
Egg weight, oz./ doz.
Haugh units
Heavy breeds
0 3
26.4 26.6
77 78
13.2 13.7
15.1 15.0
Light breeds
0 3
26.5 26.6
78 78
14.0 13.6
14.9 15.0
Average of both
0 3
26.5 26.6
78 78
13.5 13.6
15.0 15.0
Group
1 2
SheU thickYolk ness, color2 0.001 in.
See Table 2 footnotes. Yolk color was scored by the method of Heiman and Carver (1935).
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
.y
Group
principal cause of mortality in the basalfed heavy breed birds was visceral leucosis. These data are in agreement with the results of Weiss and Fisher (1957) who observed decreased egg production (one experiment), higher mortality and higher incidence of excess body fat, fatty livers or kidneys (two experiments) when animal fat was fed to White Leghorns. The feed consumption data reported herein are in disagreement with the reports of Lillie et al. (1952), Hill et al. (1956), Lillie et al. (1957) and Turk et al. (1958) all of which showed that added fat improved feed conversion. In this experiment, the birds receiving fat consumed more total feed of a higher energy content while producing less total eggs and hence, had poorer feed conversion. In the heavy breed groups, four of the groups receiving fat consumed in excess of 5% more feed than their comparable basal groups. The remaining six fat-fed groups all consumed less feed than their comparable basal groups, but in only two cases was the difference in excess of 5%. In all seven of the light breed groups, the differences in feed consumption were greater than 5%. In four cases, the fatfed birds consumed more feed and in three cases consumed less.
586
W. E. DONALDSON AND C. D. GORDON
In addition, Weiss and Fisher (1957) have shown that White Leghorns tend to gain significantly more weight after four weeks on a ration containing fat than do birds on rations without fat. Differences in body weight of this magnitude during the early portion of the laying year which must be maintained throughout the laying year could easily account for the increased feed consumption (or increased energy consumption if ration density were great enough to mask changes in feed consumption) when fat is added to a laying ration. In any event, more work is needed to determine the factors involved in the tendency of laying hens to increase in body weight when higher energy levels, as from the addition of fat, are fed. The egg quality data are in agreement with the report of Orr et al. (1958) which stated that 2 | and 5% added animal fat had no effect on egg weight or egg quality. SUMMARY
The addition of 3 % stabilized animal fat in place of 3 % corn in a laying ration containing 19% protein and fed over a 350 day test period: 1) did not significantly affect hen-day egg production; 2) significantly depressed hen-housed egg production in birds with initial weights of more than 5 pounds; 3) did not significantly affect hen-housed egg production in birds with initial weights of less than 5 pounds; 4) resulted in higher feed and energy consumption and poorer feed conversion; 5) increased mortality and incidence of internal hemorrhage and obesity in heavy breeds; and 6) did not affect egg quality as measured by egg weight, Haugh units, shell thickness and yolk color. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Appreciation is expressed to the Pawtucket Rendering Company, Pawtucket,
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
acid) contents of rations, and that high energy rations are more efficient than low energy rations (Hill and Dansky, 1950, 1954; Biely and March, 1954; Baldini and Rosenberg, 1955; Combs and Romoser, 1955; Donaldson el al., 1955, 1956; Leong et al., 1955; Matterson et al., 1955; Scott et al., 1955; and Sunde, 1956). In addition, it has been generally established by these workers that chicks tend to overconsume energy in an effort to obtain enough protein to meet their requirements if the protein level of the ration is sub-optimum. If the same holds true for laying hens, it might be possible that the fat-fed birds in this experiment were consuming extra energy in an attempt to raise their protein intake. This does not seem likely, however, since the fat ration was calculated to contain 18.7% protein (as compared to 19.0% for the control) and had a good amino acid balance. The possibility also exists that there was a higher requirement (s) for certain other nutrients such as vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, folic acid, or choline when fat was fed, resulting in over-consumption. Fox, Ortiz and Briggs (1956) noted that increased fat levels in chick rations increased the need for vitamin B i2 over and above a level in the ration that supplied the fat fed birds an intake of the vitamin equivalent to the control birds. However, these workers did not note an increased feed intake in an effort to obtain more vitamin Bi2. The most plausible explanation of the feed conversion data would be that since the fat-fed groups gained more weight during the test, they had a higher maintenance requirement for energy resulting in a higher feed intake. In other work at this station (Donaldson and Millar, 1958) birds on high fat rations (8.8 to 30.4% added) gained up to 0.3 pounds more body weight than birds on a control ration during the first 16 weeks.
ANIMAL FAT FOR LAYING HENS
Rhode Island, for the animal fat used in this experiment. REFERENCES
Hill, F. W., and L. M. Dansky, 1950. Studies of the protein requirements of chicks and its relation to dietary energy level. Poultry Sci. 29: 763. Hill, F. W., and L. M. Dansky, 1954. Studies of the energy requirements of chickens. 1. The effect of dietary energy level on growth and feed consumption. Poultry Sci. 33: 112-119. Leong, K. C , M. L. Sunde, H. R. Bird and C. A. Elvehjem, 1955. Effect of energy: protein ratio on growth rate, efficiency, feathering and fat deposition in chickens. Poultry Sci. 34: 1206. Lillie, R. J., J. R. Sizemore, J. L. Milligan and H. R. Bird, 1952. Thyroprotein and fats in laying diets. Poultry Sci. 31: 1037-1042. Lille, R. J., J. R. Sizemore and C. A. Denton, 1957. Effect of an arsenical, fat and antibiotic upon the reproductive performance of chickens. Poultry Sci. 36: 755-759. Matterson, L. D., L. M. Potter, L. D. Stinson and E. P. Singsen, 1955. Studies on the effect of varying protein and energy levels in poultry rations on growth and feed efficiency. Poultry Sci. 34: 1210. Orr, H. L., E. S. Snyder and S. J. Slinger, 1958. Effects of animal fat, arsonic acid and range vs. confinement rearing on egg quality. Poultry Sci. 37: 212-214. Scott, H. M., L. C. Sims and D. L. Slakeli, 1955. The effect of varying protein and energy on performance of chicks. Poultry Sci. 34: 1220. Snedecor, G. W., 1946. Statistical Methods. The Iowa State College Press, Ames, Iowa. Sunde, M. L., 1956. A relationship between protein level and energy level in chick rations. Poultry Sci. 35: 350-354. Turk, D. E., H. R. Bird and M. L. Sunde, 1958Effect of fats on replacement pullets and laying hens. Poultry Sci. 37: 1249. Weiss, H. S., and H. Fisher, 1957. Plasma lipid and organ changes associated with the feeding of animal fat to laying chickens. J. Nutrition, 61: 267280.
NEWS AND NOTES (Continued from page 57Z) AP&EI NOTES
Federation; Vice-President—H. Ford, Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association; Secretary— H. M. Williams, Institute of American Poultry Industries; and Treasurer—D. M. Turnbull, American Poultry and Hatchery Federation.
At the annual meeting of the Associated Poultry and Egg Industries, held in Kansas City, Missouri, February 12, the following officers were elected: President—M. C. Small, National Turkey (Continued on page 613)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
Baldini, J. T., and H. R. Rosenberg, 1955. The effect of productive energy level of the diet on the methionine requirement of the chick. Poultry Sci. 34: 1301-1307. Biely, J., and B. March, 1954. Fat studies in poultry. 2. Fat supplements in chick and poult rations. Poultry Sci. 33: 1220-1227. Combs, G. F., and G. L. Romoser, 1955. A new approach to poultry feed formulation. Maryland Agr. Exp. Sta. Misc. Publ. No. 226. Donaldson, W. E., G. F. Combs, G. L. Romoser and W. C. Supplee, 1955. Body composition, energy intake, feed efficiency, growth rate, and feather condition of growing chickens as influenced by Calorie-protein ratio of the ration. Poultry Sci. 34: 1190. Donaldson, W. E., G. F. Combs and G. L. Romoser, 1956. Studies on energy levels in poultry rations. 1. The effect of Calorie-protein ratio of the ration on growth, nutrient utilization and body composition of chicks. Poultry Sci. 35: 1100-1105. Donaldson, W. E., and R. I. Millar, 1958. Observations on added animal fat in laying rations. Poultry Sci. 37: 1199. Fox, M. R. S., L. O. Ortiz and G. M. Briggs, 1956. Effect of dietary fat on requirement of vitamin B12 by the chick. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 93: 501-504. Fraps, G. S., 1946. Composition and productive energy of poultry feeds and rations. Texas Agr. Exp. Sta. Bulletin No. 678. Heiman, V., and J. S. Carver, 1935. The yolk color index. U. S. Egg Poultry Mag. August. Hill, F. W., D. L. Anderson and L. M. Dansky, 1956. Studies of the energy requirements of chickens. 3. The effect of dietary energy level on the rate and gross efficiency of egg production. Poultry Sci. 35: 54-59.
587
pies, and all the proximate analysis data, were provided through Mr. W. D . McMillan of the G.L.F. Cooperative Exchange, Inc., Ithaca, N . Y. Their cooperation is gratefully acknowledged. REFERENCES Anderson, D. L., F. W., Hill and R. Renner, 1958. Studies of the metabolizable and productive energy of glucose for the growing chick. J. Nutrition, 65: 561-574. Hill, F. W., and D. L. Anderson, 1958. Comparison of metabolizable energy and productive energy determinations with growing chicks. J. Nutrition, 64: 587-608. Hill, F. W., D. L. Anderson, R. Renner and L. B. Carew, Jr., 1960. Studies of the metabolizable energy of grains and grain products for chickens. Poultry Sci. 39: 573-579.
The Effect of Z% Added Animal Fat on Laying Hen Performance 1 W. E . D O N A L D S O N AND C. D .
GORDON 2
Poultry Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R. I. (Received for publication August 24, 1959)
INTRODUCTION
S
I N C E the discovery t h a t fats provide an excellent source of energy in broiler rations, considerable work has been conducted to determine the value of fat in rations for laying hens. Lillie el al. (1952) replaced 3 % corn with an equal a m o u n t of lard in a laying ration and improved feed conversion without affecting egg production. Hill et al. (1956) showed t h a t the addition of u p to 5 % animal fat improved both egg production and feed efficiency during the winter months. These workers found t h a t for each 1 Contribution number 983 of the Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station. 2 Present address: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland.
1% added fat there was a 2 % reduction in feed consumption, and also t h a t b o d y weight gain during the production year increased with increasing energy concentration in the ration. I n one experiment, Weiss and Fisher (1957) found t h a t 1 0 % added animal fat fed to White Leghorns from 8 to 32 weeks of age reduced egg production and resulted in a mortality level of 1 5 % as compared to 8 % for the controls. I n a second experiment, 5 % added animal fat had no effect on egg production during a 3 week test period. Lillie et al. (1957) observed t h a t added fat had no effect on egg production, b u t improved feed conversion and increased body weight gains. The same effect was noted b y T u r k et al. (1958) with rations
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
These studies were supported in p a r t b y a grant-in-aid from T h e National Soybean Processors Association, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. Most of the samples studied were obtained through the cooperation of the Soybean Research Council of t h a t organization. Other sam-
583
584
W. E. DONALDSON AND C. D. GORDON TABLE 2.—Effect
of 3% added animal fat on egg
in which C/P ratios remained constant while the energy levels increased. The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of replacing 3 % ground yellow corn with 3 % stabilized animal fat in a laying ration.
Heavy breeds
0 3
73.7 71.5
255 235*
4.65 5.06
12,776 12,893
PROCEDURE
Light breeds
0 3
78.1 74.4
267 251
4.24 4.63
8,659 8,843
Average of both 2
0 3
75.5 72.8
260 242*
4.46 4.85
21,435 21,736
TABLE 1.—Composition of rations used Ingredients
0% added fat
3% added fat
Lbs.
Lbs.
1,204.0 Ground yellow corn 1,144.0 100.0 100.0 Wheat standard middlings 60.0 Stabilized animal fat 400.0 400.0 Soybean oil meal, 44% protein 100.0 100.0 Fish meal, menhaden, 60% protein 1.0 1.0 DI/-methionine Alfalfa meal, 17% protein 40.0 100,000 I.U. of vitamin A/lb. 40.0 Butyl fermentation solubles, (227 40.0 40.0 mg. of riboflavin/lb.) 24.0 Dicalcium phosphate 24.0 78.0 Ground limestone* 78.0 2.0 Trace mineral mixf 2.0 14.0 Salt 14.0 Dry vitamin A and Ds supplement, (10,000 I.U. of A and 1,5001.C.U. of Ds/gram) 0.5 0.5 Choline chloride, 25% mix 1.0 1.0 Vitamin Bu supplement (6 mg./lb.) 1.0 1.0 Vitamin E supplement (20,000 I.U. 0.25 of E/lb.) 0.25 Niacin 10 grams 10 grams
Calculated Analysis: Crude protein, % Productive energy (Fraps, 1946), Cal./lb.i Calorie-protein (C/P) ratio
19.0
18.7
899 47.5
952 50.9
* Calcite grit available free-choice at all times. t Containing not less than 6% manganese, 2% iron, 0.2% copper, 0.12% iodine, 0.02% cobalt and 26.5% calcium. f[Fat F assumed to contain 2,900 Cal./lb. '••
Group1
Added Hen-day pEr ™ , " , ^ ^ L b s - feed Total feed 0 fat, produc? " c ' o n ' per doz. consumed, % tion, % <%&% eggs lbs.
1 All pens with an average weight of more than 5 pounds at the beginning of the experiment were classified as heavy breeds (10 rjens of 13 birds each/treatment); pens under 5 pounds were classified as light breeds (7 pens of 13 birds each/treatment). 2 This is a weighted average of the heavy and light breeds, with the exception of feed consumption which is expressed as the total consumption of both groups. * Statistically significant differences (P=0.05).
fat used was stabilized with butylated hydroxytoluene and had a titer of 35°C. Feed and water were available ad libitum. The experiment was begun on October 1st and was continued for 350 days. All birds were trap-nested daily. Analyses of variance (Snedecor, 1946) were made of henhoused and hen-day egg production. Feed consumption was determined monthly by pens, and body weights were recorded at the beginning and end of the test. Mortality was recorded as it occurred and autopsies were performed on all birds that died. All eggs produced on the 150th day of the experiment were saved for egg quality determinations. The measurements used were egg weight, Haugh units, shell thickness and yolk color. The method of Heiman and Carver (1935) was used to measure yolk color. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 2 shows the effect of added animal fat on egg production and feed consumption. Although all groups receiving fat exhibited poorer hen-day egg production, the differences were not statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were noted in the heavy breeds and in the average of both heavy and light breeds when egg production was expressed
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
The pullets used in this experiment were entries in the 27th Annual Rhode Island Standard Laying Test with each entry consisting of 26 birds. The ages of the entries ranged between 5f and 7 months. Thirteen birds from each entry were selected at random and placed on the basal (0% added fat) ration, and the remaining 13 birds were placed on the 3 % added fat ration. There were a total of 17 comparisons of 0 and 3 % added fat with a total of 221 birds per treatment. Each group of 13 birds was housed in an 8' X10' floor pen. Table 1 shows the rations used. Fat replaced corn in the basal ration on a pound for pound basis with no alternations to correct for protein content. The
production and feed consumption
585
ANIMAL FAT FOR LAYING HENS TABLE 3.—Effect
of 3% added animal fat on body
weight and mortality1
Gain in body
Mortality
%
*£;
wt.ibs.
%
Heavy breeds
0 3
5.39 5.40
1.01 1.40
2.3 10.8
Light breeds
0 3
4.41 4.45
1.35 1.48
6.6 5.5
Average of both
0 3
4.99 5.01
1.19 1.45
4.1 8.6
1
Added fat,
^jf
See Table 2 footnotes.
on a hen-housed basis. However, henhoused production was not significantly decreased by fat in the light breeds. Feed conversion was poorer in the fat-fed groups and total feed consumption was higher. Body weight and mortality data are presented in Table 3. All fat-fed groups gained more body weight than the controls, but the gains were appreciably greater in heavy as compared to light breeds. Added fat resulted in higher mortality with heavy breeds but not with light breeds. Table 4 shows the egg quality data. Added fat had no effect on egg weight, Haught units, shell shickness and yolk color. The fact that added fat decreased henhoused egg production while having no effect on hen-day production in the heavy breeds strongly suggests that fat does not influence egg production directly, but does influence mortality which in turn directly affects egg production. This is further borne out by the fact that in the light breeds, neither mortality nor egg production differed. Post-mortem examinations revealed that approximately one-half of the fat-fed heavy breed birds that died were either obese or had suffered kidney or liver hemorrhages. The
In growing chickens, numerous workers have shown that a relationship exists between the energy and protein (amino TABLE 4.—Effect
of 3% added animal
fat on egg quality1
Added fat, %
Egg weight, oz./ doz.
Haugh units
Heavy breeds
0 3
26.4 26.6
77 78
13.2 13.7
15.1 15.0
Light breeds
0 3
26.5 26.6
78 78
14.0 13.6
14.9 15.0
Average of both
0 3
26.5 26.6
78 78
13.5 13.6
15.0 15.0
Group
1 2
SheU thickYolk ness, color2 0.001 in.
See Table 2 footnotes. Yolk color was scored by the method of Heiman and Carver (1935).
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
.y
Group
principal cause of mortality in the basalfed heavy breed birds was visceral leucosis. These data are in agreement with the results of Weiss and Fisher (1957) who observed decreased egg production (one experiment), higher mortality and higher incidence of excess body fat, fatty livers or kidneys (two experiments) when animal fat was fed to White Leghorns. The feed consumption data reported herein are in disagreement with the reports of Lillie et al. (1952), Hill et al. (1956), Lillie et al. (1957) and Turk et al. (1958) all of which showed that added fat improved feed conversion. In this experiment, the birds receiving fat consumed more total feed of a higher energy content while producing less total eggs and hence, had poorer feed conversion. In the heavy breed groups, four of the groups receiving fat consumed in excess of 5% more feed than their comparable basal groups. The remaining six fat-fed groups all consumed less feed than their comparable basal groups, but in only two cases was the difference in excess of 5%. In all seven of the light breed groups, the differences in feed consumption were greater than 5%. In four cases, the fatfed birds consumed more feed and in three cases consumed less.
586
W. E. DONALDSON AND C. D. GORDON
In addition, Weiss and Fisher (1957) have shown that White Leghorns tend to gain significantly more weight after four weeks on a ration containing fat than do birds on rations without fat. Differences in body weight of this magnitude during the early portion of the laying year which must be maintained throughout the laying year could easily account for the increased feed consumption (or increased energy consumption if ration density were great enough to mask changes in feed consumption) when fat is added to a laying ration. In any event, more work is needed to determine the factors involved in the tendency of laying hens to increase in body weight when higher energy levels, as from the addition of fat, are fed. The egg quality data are in agreement with the report of Orr et al. (1958) which stated that 2 | and 5% added animal fat had no effect on egg weight or egg quality. SUMMARY
The addition of 3 % stabilized animal fat in place of 3 % corn in a laying ration containing 19% protein and fed over a 350 day test period: 1) did not significantly affect hen-day egg production; 2) significantly depressed hen-housed egg production in birds with initial weights of more than 5 pounds; 3) did not significantly affect hen-housed egg production in birds with initial weights of less than 5 pounds; 4) resulted in higher feed and energy consumption and poorer feed conversion; 5) increased mortality and incidence of internal hemorrhage and obesity in heavy breeds; and 6) did not affect egg quality as measured by egg weight, Haugh units, shell thickness and yolk color. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Appreciation is expressed to the Pawtucket Rendering Company, Pawtucket,
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on June 9, 2015
acid) contents of rations, and that high energy rations are more efficient than low energy rations (Hill and Dansky, 1950, 1954; Biely and March, 1954; Baldini and Rosenberg, 1955; Combs and Romoser, 1955; Donaldson el al., 1955, 1956; Leong et al., 1955; Matterson et al., 1955; Scott et al., 1955; and Sunde, 1956). In addition, it has been generally established by these workers that chicks tend to overconsume energy in an effort to obtain enough protein to meet their requirements if the protein level of the ration is sub-optimum. If the same holds true for laying hens, it might be possible that the fat-fed birds in this experiment were consuming extra energy in an attempt to raise their protein intake. This does not seem likely, however, since the fat ration was calculated to contain 18.7% protein (as compared to 19.0% for the control) and had a good amino acid balance. The possibility also exists that there was a higher requirement (s) for certain other nutrients such as vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, folic acid, or choline when fat was fed, resulting in over-consumption. Fox, Ortiz and Briggs (1956) noted that increased fat levels in chick rations increased the need for vitamin B i2 over and above a level in the ration that supplied the fat fed birds an intake of the vitamin equivalent to the control birds. However, these workers did not note an increased feed intake in an effort to obtain more vitamin Bi2. The most plausible explanation of the feed conversion data would be that since the fat-fed groups gained more weight during the test, they had a higher maintenance requirement for energy resulting in a higher feed intake. In other work at this station (Donaldson and Millar, 1958) birds on high fat rations (8.8 to 30.4% added) gained up to 0.3 pounds more body weight than birds on a control ration during the first 16 weeks.
ANIMAL FAT FOR LAYING HENS
Rhode Island, for the animal fat used in this experiment. REFERENCES
Hill, F. W., and L. M. Dansky, 1950. Studies of the protein requirements of chicks and its relation to dietary energy level. Poultry Sci. 29: 763. Hill, F. W., and L. M. Dansky, 1954. Studies of the energy requirements of chickens. 1. The effect of dietary energy level on growth and feed consumption. Poultry Sci. 33: 112-119. Leong, K. C , M. L. Sunde, H. R. Bird and C. A. Elvehjem, 1955. Effect of energy: protein ratio on growth rate, efficiency, feathering and fat deposition in chickens. Poultry Sci. 34: 1206. Lillie, R. J., J. R. Sizemore, J. L. Milligan and H. R. Bird, 1952. Thyroprotein and fats in laying diets. Poultry Sci. 31: 1037-1042. Lille, R. J., J. R. Sizemore and C. A. Denton, 1957. Effect of an arsenical, fat and antibiotic upon the reproductive performance of chickens. Poultry Sci. 36: 755-759. Matterson, L. D., L. M. Potter, L. D. Stinson and E. P. Singsen, 1955. Studies on the effect of varying protein and energy levels in poultry rations on growth and feed efficiency. Poultry Sci. 34: 1210. Orr, H. L., E. S. Snyder and S. J. Slinger, 1958. Effects of animal fat, arsonic acid and range vs. confinement rearing on egg quality. Poultry Sci. 37: 212-214. Scott, H. M., L. C. Sims and D. L. Slakeli, 1955. The effect of varying protein and energy on performance of chicks. Poultry Sci. 34: 1220. Snedecor, G. W., 1946. Statistical Methods. The Iowa State College Press, Ames, Iowa. Sunde, M. L., 1956. A relationship between protein level and energy level in chick rations. Poultry Sci. 35: 350-354. Turk, D. E., H. R. Bird and M. L. Sunde, 1958Effect of fats on replacement pullets and laying hens. Poultry Sci. 37: 1249. Weiss, H. S., and H. Fisher, 1957. Plasma lipid and organ changes associated with the feeding of animal fat to laying chickens. J. Nutrition, 61: 267280.
NEWS AND NOTES (Continued from page 57Z) AP&EI NOTES
Federation; Vice-President—H. Ford, Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association; Secretary— H. M. Williams, Institute of American Poultry Industries; and Treasurer—D. M. Turnbull, American Poultry and Hatchery Federation.
At the annual meeting of the Associated Poultry and Egg Industries, held in Kansas City, Missouri, February 12, the following officers were elected: President—M. C. Small, National Turkey (Continued on page 613)
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Baldini, J. T., and H. R. Rosenberg, 1955. The effect of productive energy level of the diet on the methionine requirement of the chick. Poultry Sci. 34: 1301-1307. Biely, J., and B. March, 1954. Fat studies in poultry. 2. Fat supplements in chick and poult rations. Poultry Sci. 33: 1220-1227. Combs, G. F., and G. L. Romoser, 1955. A new approach to poultry feed formulation. Maryland Agr. Exp. Sta. Misc. Publ. No. 226. Donaldson, W. E., G. F. Combs, G. L. Romoser and W. C. Supplee, 1955. Body composition, energy intake, feed efficiency, growth rate, and feather condition of growing chickens as influenced by Calorie-protein ratio of the ration. Poultry Sci. 34: 1190. Donaldson, W. E., G. F. Combs and G. L. Romoser, 1956. Studies on energy levels in poultry rations. 1. The effect of Calorie-protein ratio of the ration on growth, nutrient utilization and body composition of chicks. Poultry Sci. 35: 1100-1105. Donaldson, W. E., and R. I. Millar, 1958. Observations on added animal fat in laying rations. Poultry Sci. 37: 1199. Fox, M. R. S., L. O. Ortiz and G. M. Briggs, 1956. Effect of dietary fat on requirement of vitamin B12 by the chick. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 93: 501-504. Fraps, G. S., 1946. Composition and productive energy of poultry feeds and rations. Texas Agr. Exp. Sta. Bulletin No. 678. Heiman, V., and J. S. Carver, 1935. The yolk color index. U. S. Egg Poultry Mag. August. Hill, F. W., D. L. Anderson and L. M. Dansky, 1956. Studies of the energy requirements of chickens. 3. The effect of dietary energy level on the rate and gross efficiency of egg production. Poultry Sci. 35: 54-59.
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