Use of Amino Acid Imbalanced and Low Protein Starting Rations for the Rearing of Egg Production Type Pullets and Subsequent Performance of These Pullets When Placed on Laying Rations of Varying Protein Levels

THERE has been a great deal of discussion and many written reports on the rearing of egg production type pullets. Although some controversy may exist as to the proper program to follow through the growing period, most workers are in agreement that sexual maturity should be delayed in order to achieve optimum performance of pullets once in the laying house. A number of different feeding and lighting programs have been utilized to achieve delayed sexual maturity of pullets. These are reviewed in the reports of Hollands and Gowe (1965). Lillie and Denton (1966), Proudfoot and Gowe (1967), Wright et al. (1968) and others. On this continent many of the programs used for delaying sexual maturity of pullets involve some type of feeding regimen designed to reduce nutrient intake between approximately 8 and 20 weeks of age. Up to 8 weeks of age the pullets have usually received a good quality…