Influence of Dietary Protein and Energy on the Performance of Commercial Egg-type Pullets Reared Under Summer Conditions

J. L. McNAUGHTON, L. F. KUBENA, J. W. DEATON, F. N. REECE
1977 Poultry Science  
A total of 2400 commercial egg-type pullets was used in three trials to determine the feasibility of using dietary protein, amino acids or energy to increase 20-week body weights of pullets reared under linear, cyclic-temperature environmental conditions common during southeastern United States summers. A 24-hour linear temperature cycle of 24 to 35 to 24° C. and 9 hours of light per day were provided for the duration of the study. Neither dietary protein nor energy influenced body weights at
more » ... weeks of age under a hightemperature condition. Furthermore, lysine and methionine plus cystine at levels of 100, 110 or 120% of National Research Council's requirement levels did not influence 20-week body weights under a high-temperature condition. Feed consumption per pullet was directly related to the energy content of the diet; whereas, lysine, methionine plus cystine or total protein did not appear to influence feed consumption. The same spread in body weights was noted at 20 weeks of age as that noted at 12 weeks of age.
doi:10.3382/ps.0561391 fatcat:6b52hgbcvnbldgarorr7r5ko34