Free choice feeding (whole-grain maize + complementary pellet concentrate + oyster shells) of pullets and laying hens in a hot climate

Abstract

Between the age of 5 and 42 weeks, 300 pullets Isabrown were fed either a control complete mash feed (CMF) or a free choice (FC) between whole grain-maize, oyster shells and a complementary pelleted concentrate offered ad libitum (FC) or restricted (30 g/hen/day) during the laying period (FC). Feed intake and growth of pullets were not modified by the diets until debeaking at 10 weeks. Debeaking decreased intake of complementary concentrate from 53 to 17 % of total intake. At 18 weeks, FC pullets weighed less than CMF (1,524 and 1,600 g, respectively) and began to lay a little later: laying intensity at 21 weeks was 5 and 25 % respectively. Between 23 and 42 weeks of age, laying production and egg quality were not significatively influenced by the diet. Total feed intake of FC hens was significatively lower than for the CMF control group. Thus, the efficiency of energy and protein utilisation was better with FC. FC tended to overconsume the complementary feed (50 g/day/hen instead of 30 g/day with FC without improving production. Under these conditions, free choice feeding with a restriction on the complementary feed promotes the direct use of locally-produced cereals, saving on transportation, grinding, mixing and pelleting costs of feeds for laying hens.