Restricted Feeding with Restricted Light for Developing Pullets

IN PRACTICALLY all of the literature, both scientific and popular, the conclusion is reached that restricting nutrient intake of developing pullets results in delayed sexual maturity (Sunde et al., 1954; Milby and Sherwood, 1956; Tomhave, 1958; and MacIntyre and Aitken, 1959). However, the effect of restricted feeding during the developing period on such laying house performance criteria as egg production, body weight, liveability and size of egg have not been consistent from test to test. Many of the experiments reported have been conducted with winter or spring hatched pullets subjected to natural daylight during the developing period. In such instances the birds were exposed to increasing day length as they progressed to sexual maturity. The data to be reported herein indicate that when pullets are raised under conditions of restricted light, from 8 to 21 weeks of age, restricting the feed intake of pullets to 83 percent of normal consumption …