Comparison of Fortified Ground Corn and Pullet Grower Feeding Regimes during a Forced Molt on Subsequent Layer Performance , , ,

A flock of 160 Hyline W-36 (Trial 1) and a flock of 3,000 Shaver 288 SCWL hens (Trial 2) were force molted by a combination of photoperiod manipulation and feed and water withdrawal. Feed was withdrawn for ten days and water was withdrawn for two days beginning on the third day of feed withdrawal. Following the period of feed and water withdrawal, half of each flock was fed a fortified ground corn ration and the other half was fed a pullet grower ration for 18 days. Feed consumption, feed conversion, egg production, and mortality were determined during the molt and for five (Trial 1) or six (Trial 2) 28-day periods thereafter. Quantitative assessments of egg size and shell quality were conducted. The hens which received the pullet grower ration returned to production earlier than those fed the fortified ground corn ration and reached peak production four weeks earlier than the group fed the fortified ground corn ration. Overall, the hens which received the pullet grower ration exhibited improved egg production and maintained egg size and shell quality comparable to that of the hens which received the fortified ground corn ration. Additionally, no significant difference in overall feed utilization or mortality was observed.