A comparison of three methods of food restriction of laying‐type pullets on growth and laying performance

Three methods of restricting the growth rate of pullets from 8 to 20 weeks of age were compared. They were: quantitative food restriction, a diet low in lysine and arginine and a low protein diet. 2. Food consumption up to 20 weeks of age was significantly reduced by all three treatments; mortality was increased and sexual maturity was delayed. 3. Greatest uniformity was observed amongst pullets fed on the low protein and the low lysine diets 4. By 70 weeks there were no significant differences in food conversion based on food consumed between 20 and 70 weeks of age, but based on consumption between 8 and 70 weeks the quantitatively restricted birds converted food most efficiently. 5. The most favourable method of restriction appeared to be the feeding of a low lysine or low protein diet, since rearing costs were low, and the performance of the pullets on these treatments was high.