Effect of Duration of Feed Restriction on the Laying House Performance of Confinement Reared Pullets

RESTRICTING the feed intake of growing pullets reduces body weight and delays sexual maturity (Gowe et al., 1960). The degree to which this occurs depends on the length and severity of feed restriction. There is little evidence of the age at which restriction should be started or stopped, or the length of time growing chickens should be restricted to give the maximum response. Fuller and Dunahoo (1962) restricted the feed intake of growing chickens from 6–12, 6–18, 6–24, and 12–24 weeks of age, and Gardiner and MacIntyre (1962) restricted the feed intake from 5, 9, 13, and 17 weeks of age up to 22 weeks in one experiment and from 9–17, 13–17, 13–21, and 17–21 weeks of age in another experiment. In all cases there were direct relationships between duration or degree of restriction and body weight at the end of…