High Efficiency and APF Concentrates in the Ration of the Laying Fowl

ENERGY has received an increasing amount of attention in the formulation of rations for early rapid growth of broilers and turkeys. Fraps (1946) showed that available energy was correlated with the fiber content of feedstuffs. Poultry have a limited capacity for the utilization of fiber. Halnan (1930) reported that fowls digested less than 10% of the fiber. Scott, Matterson and Singsen (1947) concluded that fiber was not required for the physiological well being of the chick and reported excellent growth of broilers on rations low in fiber. Increasing the level of fiber in chick rations decreased the efficiency of feet utilization, according to the report of Robertson and coworkers (1948). Quisenbery et al. (1949) compared a conventional type laying ration with a simplified high efficiency one and obtained more eggs and more efficient feed utilization from the latter. The high efficiency diet used by Quisenberry and coworkers contained added choline . . .