The effects of choice feeding with whole wheat continuous, intermittent and with limestone on performance, egg quality parameters and profitability in laying hens

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of choice feeding of whole wheat on performance, egg quality and income in laying hens. In the study, a total of 160-Hyline W-80 white commercial laying hens with 28 weeks old were divided into four treatment groups and fed 84 days. The treatment groups were as follows: 1) Control (C, standard commercial laying hen feed), 2) C feed+choice feeding continuously with whole wheat in a separate cup (CW), 3) C feed+weekly intermittent choice feeding with whole wheat in a separate cup (WW), 4) C feed+choice feeding with continuous whole wheat+limestone together in a separate cup (WL). Choice feeding with whole wheat methods (continuous, weekly intermittent and with limestone) caused a significant decrease in live weight change of laying hens (P0.05). In conclusion, the choice feeding of whole wheat in laying hens did not negatively affect the performance and economic parameters; however, it caused reductions in some egg quality values.