The Effect of Complete and Incomplete Growing Diets on Subsequent Performance of the Laying Hen

MANY practical poultrymen have been questioning for years the idea of “pushing” pullets along as rapidly as possible prior to the time of laying. Their observations have led them to believe that the pullets produce bigger eggs at a faster rate if their maturity is delayed somewhat either by restricting the food intake or by formulating a ration in which some nutrient is limiting. Usually energy or protein has been the limiting factor in these diets. Recently an added incentive for using some type of a restricted program has been the high cost of feed for growing replacement pullets. Recently Milby and Sherwood (1953) reported that restricted feeding did not materially affect egg production, egg weight or mortality but did delay sexual maturity about 2 weeks. Two years ago an experiment was initiated to study this problem. The two years data are available on Single Comb White Leghorn pullets which …