The Effect of Dietary Protein and Energy Levels on the Growth of Replacement Pullets

THE proper dietary protein level for the growing pullet has been investigated by many workers. Reviews have been published by Berg and Bearse (1958) and Sunde and Bird (1959). A report by Blaylock (1956) stated that feeding protein levels ranging from 12 to 18% of the diet produced equivalent feed efficiencies for pullets from 0 to 20 weeks of age. Twelve percent protein fed during the period from 16 to 20 weeks had no effect on sexual maturity when compared to higher levels of protein, and 12% protein from 5 weeks of age was not inferior to higher levels from the standpoint of 20-week weights. Berg and Bearse (1958) showed that decreasing protein levels from 16% to 14% at twelve weeks and to 12% at sixteen weeks did not affect body weight gain or date of sexual maturity compared to the continual feeding of 16% protein. Pullets given access to…