Productive and reproductive characteristics of hens in the parent flock when including sprouted barley in the diet

Abstract

This research aimed to study the productive and reproductive qualities of parent herd hens having the diet with sprouted barley in whole grain and crushed form. The objectives included studying the flock liveability and analysing productive and reproductive characteristics of laying hens in the Ross 308 parent flock. The first control group received a diet with unsprouted whole barley, the second control group with unsprouted crushed barley, the first experimental group with sprouted whole barley, the second experimental group with sprouted crushed barley. The scientific and economic experience lasted until the bird reached the age of 60 weeks. The research findings showed that sprouted crushed barley in the diet of the parent flock hens contributes to better poultry growth and development, increases the weight of incubation eggs by an average of 0.3%, the yield of incubation eggs by 0.5%, hatchability by 0.3%, hatchability of young birds by 0.2%, enlarges the poultry liveability, egg production indicators per an initial and an average laying hen, reduces the feed conversion rate.