CONSEQUENCES OF INDUCED REST FEEDING PROGRAM (IRFP) ON DWARF LAYER

Response of dwarf layers to variable induced rest feeding programme (I RFP) was studied. Seven days fasting followed by 2,4 and 6 weeks of 20 g feed/bird/day constituted T1, T2 and T3 treatments. Data for 68 to 102 weeks of age was analysed along with that of the control. IRFP ini tiated shedding of primary feathers but the secondaries remained intac t. T3 hens remained smallest in body size post-IRFP but T1 and T2 rema ined similar in size as that of the control. Control group hens laid m ore number of eggs than all treatment groups during IRFP periods. Post IRFP to a fixed 28-weeks T1, T2 and T3 hens laid more eggs than the c ontrol, but the superiority was lost when post-IRFP to 102 weeks produ ction was analysed. For 68 to 102 weeks of age, IRFP egg losses were c ompensated by higher peak and persistency in treatments as compared wi th the control. T3 hens laid heaviest egg. Feed consumption was associ ated linearly with the duration of IRFP irrespective of treatments. T3 group hens consumed less feed accounting 17.56% saving for production of 1 egg. In terms of economics, feed savings during IRFP equally con tributed as the egg laid in the net financial gain which ranged from R s -4.65 to + Rs 40.46 bird for different treatments.