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Effect of temperature and dietary energy on layer performance
Poultry Science
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Environmental temperature and diet energy density significantly impact feed intake and body weight in laying hens. Higher temperatures reduce feed intake and body weight, while increased dietary energy also lowers feed intake but improves body weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Nutrition
- Environmental Physiology
Background:
- Laying hens' productivity is influenced by environmental conditions and diet.
- Understanding the interplay between temperature and dietary energy is crucial for optimizing poultry farming.
- Previous research indicates thermal stress and energy density affect feed intake and metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of varying environmental temperatures and dietary metabolizable energy (ME) on DeKalb XL White Leghorn hens.
- To determine how these factors influence feed intake, energy utilization, egg characteristics, body weight, and feed conversion.
- To estimate maintenance requirements under different thermal and nutritional conditions.
Main Methods:
- Hens were housed at six different temperatures (16.1–31.1 °C) and fed four diets with varying energy densities (2,645–2,976 kcal MEn/kg).
- Feed intake, egg production, egg weight, body weight, and feed conversion were meticulously recorded.
- Statistical analyses (P < .05) were employed to assess the significance of temperature and energy density effects.
Main Results:
- Increased temperature significantly reduced feed intake and MEn intake, while higher dietary energy density also decreased feed intake but increased MEn intake.
- Egg production remained unaffected, but egg weight decreased with higher temperatures and increased with higher energy density.
- Higher environmental temperatures led to lower mean body weights and body weight gains, whereas increased dietary energy density resulted in higher body weights and gains.
Conclusions:
- Environmental temperature and dietary energy density are critical factors affecting feed intake, energy utilization, and body composition in laying hens.
- Optimal management strategies should consider both ambient temperature and diet formulation to maximize hen performance and welfare.
- Further research into maintenance energy requirements across a range of conditions is warranted.