THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF FEEDING GROUND AND WHOLE COTTONSEED TO LAYING HENS

Abstract

Laying hens were fed diets containing 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20% whole or ground cottonseed. Birds fed the 15 and 20% ground cottonseed diets rapidly reduced voluntary feed intake and, as a result, suffered a loss in both body weight and egg production. The severity of the dietary effects of cottonseed on productivity and mottled yolks was positively correlated with the level of cottonseed and gossypol in the diet. Egg yolk discoloration was assessed both visually on fresh yolks and using a time exposure to ammonia fumes. Discoloration was easier to detect using the ammonia test. In all cases, egg yolk discoloration was no longer apparent after a maximum of 42 d of feeding a commercial diet. Key words: Cottonseed, gossypol, laying hen, yolk mottling, egg production, feed intake