Variation in digestibility parameters related to feed efficiency between and within two laying hen lines.

ABSTRACT: To meet the increasing demand for eggs, while limiting the environmental impact, an increased efficiency of laying hen production is required. Feed efficiency (FE) plays a major role in this. In broilers, relationships between nutrient digestibility and FE have been observed, suggesting that information on digestibility coefficients (DCs) has potential to aid in prediction of FE. This study examines whether DCs, as determined by chemical analysis of laying hen manure, can serve as a predictor of FE in laying hens. In total, 100 laying hens from two lines differing in FE (line A and B) were studied. The objective of this study was two-fold: to investigate 1) the variation in DCs between and within the two lines, and 2) the use of DCs for prediction of FE in laying hens. Differences in perfo

SUBMITTER: Schopen GCB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12433497 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature