EFFECT OF DIETARY-PROTEIN AND ENERGY-LEVELS ON PULLET DEVELOPMENT

The effects of protein and energy levels in rearing diets and protein levels in layer diets on pullet development and subsequent layer perfo rmance were studied using 576 Single Comb White Leghorn pullets of a c ommercial strain. Twelve groups of 16 1-d-old chicks were assigned to each of three dietary treatments. All chicks were fed a 19% CP starter diet during Week 1. Respective protein levels in diets fed during Wee ks 2 through 6, 7 through 14, and 15 through 18 were 13.5, 15.8, and 1 8.9% for the increasing protein treatment; 15.8, 15.8, and 15.8% for t he constant protein treatment; and 18.9, 15.8, and 13.5% for the decre asing protein treatment. During Weeks 15 through 18, half of the group s in each protein treatment were assigned to a high (3.09 Meal AME(n)/ kg) or a low (2.78 Mcal AME(n)/kg) energy diet. After 18 wk, half of t he pullets within each rearing treatment were fed a layer diet contain ing 16% CP and 0.34% methionine, whereas the other half were fed a lay er diet with 19% CP and 0.40% methionine. Increasing the level of prot ein fed during Weeks 2 through 6 significantly (P < 0.05) increased bo dy weight and feed intake up to 14 wk of age. High dietary energy incr eased weight gain and decreased feed intake during Weeks 15 through 18 . Mortality and days to 50% egg production, as well as egg production, feed intake, feed conversion, and egg weight during the first 16 wk f ollowing photostimulation were not affected by rearing dietary treatme nts. Egg weight but not other production parameters, was significantly increased by raising CP in the layer diet from 16 to 19%.