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Three experiments were conducted with 55-wk-old Arbor Acres Classic broiler breeder hens to determine the influence of sever energy restriction on egg production during a short period before termination. In Experiments 1 and 3, diets were formulated so that all other essential nutrient levels were increased to compensate for the reduction in dietary energy. This increase in nutrients necessitated different amounts of feed per day. Those hens receiving the lowest energy allocation of 379 kcal ME/hen/day had the greatest body weight loss. Significant losses in body weight and performance were observed with hens receiving 300 and 330 kcal ME/hen/day, but these energy levels could be fed for 4 wk without significant loss in performance. In addition, 360 kcal ME/hen/day supported performance for 8 wk.
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Neuman et al. (1998) studied this question.
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