Evaluation of corn gluten feed in the diets of laying hens

The use of corn gluten feed (CGF) in the diets of laying hens and in induced molting programs was investigated through four experiments. The first two experiments evaluated the effects of CGF on egg production from 23 to 56 or from 32 to 65 wk of age. Graded levels of CGF from 0 to 25% were added to a corn-soybean meal, control diet (16.5% CP) in a nonisocaloric and an isocaloric manner. The ratio for dietary MEn:protein was held constant in some diets, but varied in others. The nonisocaloric inclusion of up to 25% CGF did not negatively affect egg production in either experiment. When 25% CGF was fed to the 32 wk old hens, egg weight was decreased. Egg weight was also decreased when 10% CGF or higher levels were fed to the younger hens. The nonisocaloric addition of CGF also increased feed intake and decreased feed efficiency (gram of egg per gram of feed) in most cases. Isocaloric inclusion of 15% CGF did not affect egg-production parameters, but 25% CGF negatively affected most parameters. When the ratio for MEn:protein of the CGF diets was equal to that of the control diet, 25% CGF negatively affected most parameters, 17.5% CGF decreased egg weight and feed efficiency, and 10% CGF increased egg production. Feed intake was increased at all of the CGF levels. Two additional experiments evaluated CGF in programs for induced molting. The molting procedure involved feed withdrawal for 10 days followed by feeding molt diets consisting of 99.75% corn, 99.75% CGF, 49.75% corn:50% CGF, or two grower-type diets for pullets (15% CP) containing 25% CGF or 18.5% wheat bran. The two grower-type diets for pullets yielded similar and significantly greater postmolt gains in body weight and early postmolt egg production (3 wk) than did the other diets. The corn:CGF diet also yielded greater postmolt weight gains and early postmolt egg production than the 100% corn or 100% CGF diets. Long-term postmolt egg production (30 or 37 wk) was not affected by the molt diets.