Performance and Egg Quality of Isa-Brown Layers Fed Different Quantities of Feed

Abstract

One hundred and twenty (120) 16-weeks in-lay Isa-Brown hens were used in this study that lasted for 12 weeks to investigate the effects of different feeding quantities on their egg laying performance and cost of production. Four (4) different quantities of feed were offered; 95, 105, 115 and 125 grams per day and designated treatments I, II, III and IV, respectively. The hens were assigned to these treatments in a completely randomized experimental design with three (3) replicates per group and ten (10) birds per replicate. The birds were housed in a three (3) tiers Califonia type colony cages (43x41 cm). Results at the end of experiment showed that bird fed 115 g/day had the highest hen-day-production (80.48 ± 1.13%) and best feed conversion ratio (2.17 ± 0.05). Also, tray of egg produced/bird, gross return from egg and net profit were significantly higher in birds fed 115 g/day. Bird fed 115 g/day had the highest gross return (N1915.33 ± 30.21) and highest net profit (N524.29 ± 30.21), while lowest gross return (N1530.00 ± 12.92) and lowest net profit (N299.44 ± 21.36) were recorded in bird fed 95 g/day and 125 g/day, respectively. It was concluded that for optimum laying performance and to save/reduce cost of production, feeding Isa-brown laying bird with 115 g/day would be most economical and therefore recommended.