Economies in the use of animal by-products in poultry rations: II. Vitamin and amino-acid provision for laying hens

Abstract

1. Birds fed on rations devoid of animal byproducts from hatching until 18 months of age were equal in laying performance and health to those that had received animal supplements.2. The stimulation of early growth by feeding aureomycin did not affect the final weight of pullets, their egg production or the incidence of broodiness.3. The ‘animal protein factor(s)’ was of limited importance for egg production. There was a suggestive indication of an effect of a deficiency of the factor(s) when birds on an all-plant ration had been laying for 6 months without access to their droppings. Limited access to ‘unfermented’ droppings, which provided the only dietary source of the factor(s) during both rearing and laying periods, was sufficient to meet the need of the birds for sustained egg production.