Postfasting dietary protein requirements of induced molted hens

An experiment was conducted to determine the dietary protein requirement of induced molted hens during the postfast recovery period. In a temperature-controlled room, Single Comb White Leghorn hens (97 wk of age) were induced to molt for a second time by feed deprivation. After losing 30% of their body weight, they received a corn-soy diet containing 17.0, 14.8, 13.5, or 12.4% protein until the first egg was produced. In each diet, total sulfur amino acids were supplemented to provide a level equal to 5.0% of the protein. Average daily protein intakes were 17.2, 15.7, 13.4, and 11.9 g/day, respectively, for hens fed diets containing 17.0, 14.8, 13.0, and 12.4% protein. Times required from the end of the fast until the first egg produced were 28.0, 28.2, 28.5, and 31.0 days, respectively. Dietary protein level did not significantly influence the time required to begin egg production, body weight at Egg 1, or the hen-day production rate. Three hens from each treatment were sacrificed at Egg 1. No differences were seen in the weight of the left breast muscle, liver, abdominal fat pad, ovary plus ova and oviduct, or in the percent of carcass moisture, fat, or protein. Under the controlled environmental conditions of this experiment, the 12.4% protein diet with supplemental methionine met the postfasting dietary protein requirement.