The Effects of Cage Density and Strain on the Apparent Metabolizable Energy Value of a Laying Hen Diet

The apparent metabolizable energy (A.M.E.) of a laying hen diet was measured with S.C.W.L. of two strains. The birds were housed, two to a 20.3 × 40.6 cm. cage or three to a 30.5 × 40.6 cm. cage, at 20 wk. of age. The A.M.E. values were measured when the birds were 29, 41, 57 and 69 weeks of age. The A.M.E. value of the diet was not affected by either the strain of the bird or the method of housing. There were highly significant (P < 0.01) differences in the A.M.E. values measured with birds of different ages but these were probably due to differences between batches of feed rather than to age or climatic effects.