Factors Influencing the Effects of Triticale on Laying Hens’ Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Multiple studies have yielded conflicting findings regarding the impact of incorporating triticale as a feed ingredient on laying hens’ production parameters. This article used a meta-analysis to assess the factors influencing its effects on layers’ performance. According to the PRISMA guidelines, articles examining the influence of triticale on layers’ egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), egg yolk color (EYC), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were identified across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. As a result, six articles were selected and categorized into 16 experiments for inclusion in our meta-analysis. Overall, the trim-and-fill method indicated that triticale had comparable effects to conventional cereals on the performance of laying hens. However, the meta-ANOVA emphasized that the Hy-Line Brown hen strain and Joesong and Juanilo triticale strains induced the best laying hen performance. Moreover, the meta-regression emphasized a positive correlation between the triticale inclusion percentage and the EW in Juanilo triticale diets and a negative correlation between the triticale inclusion percentages and the EYC in the triticale and laying hens strains studied. Therefore, this meta-analysis makes a valuable contribution to comprehending the factors that may influence the effects of triticale on the performance of layers.