New method to improve performance of hens during forced molt

Abstract

The objective of the work was to develop a method of forced molt (FM) with base in the good to be and in the maximum use of the eggs during the phase of alimentary restriction. 90 light and 90 semi-heavily hens of the lineage Lohmann with 70 weeks of age were used. The birds were selected by the weight and production of eggs and the experiment was developed in completely randomized design in factorial arrangment 3X2. The studied factors were: T1 = conventional FM of 12 days; T2 = FM + 15% of corn consumed in 120 g; and, T3 = T2 + doses of limestone daily rates, mixtures mineral and it mixes of vitamins fornished with base in the consumption of 120 g of ração/ave/dia. These factors were appraised in two lineages. feed consumption (FC), egg production (EP) and egg mass (EM) were better in T3. The lineage semi-heavily presented larger EP, EM, and had better egg-dozen feed conversion (EDC), but worse albumen height and Haugh unit in comparison with the light lineage. T3 improved EM feed conversion of the birds in relation to T2, while T3 improved specific gravity (SG) of the eggs of the birds semi-heavily in relation to T1 and T2. T3 improved GE of the eggs of the birds semi-heavily in comparison to light lineage. Keywords: Egg production, egg weight, Haugh unit, specific gravity