Feed Consumption Pattern of Laying Hens in Relation to Time of Oviposition

Choi, J. H.; Namkung, H.; Paik, I. K.

doi:2004.17.3.371

Article

Animal Breeding and Genetics

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 2004;17(3): 371-373.
https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2004.371 Published online January 1, 2004.

Feed Consumption Pattern of Laying Hens in Relation to Time of Oviposition

J. H. Choi, H. Namkung, I. K. Paik

Abstract

A total of sixty 67 week-old Manina White strain laying hens were individually housed in cages to investigate feed consumption pattern during the day in relation to time of oviposition. Hourly feed intake and time of oviposition were recorded for each bird for seven days. Mean hourly feed intake of all hens showed a smaller peak at 10:00-12:00 and a larger peak at 17:00-19:00. There were no significant differences in amount of daily feed consumption and hourly eating pattern between egg-laying days and non-laying days. However, hens consumed about 10 g more feed (p<0.01) on egg-forming days (the day before oviposition) than on non-egg-forming days. Hourly feed intake decreased prior to oviposition, but increased immediately during the time of oviposition. The peak consumption during the evening hours (17:00-19:00) was consistent regardless of the time of oviposition

Keywords: Laying Hens; Oviposition Time; Feed Intake; Egg-forming Days