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Variation in digestibility parameters related to feed efficiency between and within two laying hen lines
Ghyslaine C B Schopen1, Marco C A M Bink2, Estella Leentfaar3
1Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Poultry Science
|September 3, 2025
Summary
Digestibility coefficients (DCs) in laying hens vary between lines and can predict feed efficiency (FE). Understanding these differences is key to improving FE in poultry production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Nutrition
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Increasing demand for eggs necessitates improved laying hen production efficiency.
- Feed efficiency (FE) is crucial for sustainable poultry farming and reducing environmental impact.
- Nutrient digestibility coefficients (DCs) are known predictors of FE in broilers, suggesting potential for laying hens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variations in digestibility coefficients (DCs) between and within two laying hen lines with differing FE.
- To assess the potential of using DCs, determined from manure analysis, for predicting FE in laying hens.
Main Methods:
- Studied 100 laying hens from two lines (A and B) selected for contrasting FE.
- Analyzed manure to determine digestibility coefficients (DCs) for various nutrients.
- Calculated phenotypic correlations between DCs, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and residual feed consumption (RFC).
Main Results:
- Significant differences in performance and DCs were observed between Line A and Line B hens.
- Line A exhibited higher feed consumption and body weight, but lower egg mass and laying percentages.
- All DCs were higher in Line A than Line B; moderate to strong correlations between DCs and FE metrics (FCR, RFC) were found in Line A, but not Line B.
- DCs' predictive power for FE varied significantly between the two lines.
Conclusions:
- Digestibility coefficients (DCs) show variation between laying hen lines and have potential for predicting feed efficiency (FE).
- Across-line prediction of FE using DCs is challenging due to line-specific differences.
- This study enhances understanding of digestibility variations in laying hens and their role in FE prediction.
