EFFECTS OF INCREASED LIGHT AND ADDED METHIONINE ON MOLTED HENS

Light and methionine supplementation for molting hens have been the fo cus of attention in many different research papers. The present experi ments examined the combined effects of additional light prior to molti ng and methionine supplementation in molt feed on the performance of m olted hens. Additional light or methionine supplementation in molt fee d had no significant effect on most of the performance criteria observ ed in the two experiments. However, they did increase feed cost, utili ty cost, and incidence of body-checked eggs in both experiments. These results give reason to question the efficiency of supplying 24 hr lig ht for 7 days prior to molting and using TSAA levels greater than 0.60 % or protein levels greater than 15.90% in molt feed.