Performance of lightweight replacement pullets fed rations with sunflower cake and the addition of enzymes

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the inclusion of sunflower cake (SC) and the addition of enzymes in the ration of lightweight replacement pullets in the growth phase, as well as their effects on the variables feed consumption and conversion, productive performance, sexual maturity, egg quality at the beginning of the laying phase, and economic viability. Five hundred and forty pullets of the Hy-Line W-36 light line were used. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2×2+1 factorial arrangement, with two inclusion levels of SC (10 and 20%), with or without the addition of enzymes, and a control treatment. At the end of the growth phase (7 to 17 weeks age), 360 birds were transferred to the laying shed until their thirty-fifth week of age. There was no interaction between SC levels and enzymes, but an isolated effect of rations and enzymes was observed on feed consumption and conversion. There was a decrease in specific egg density and an interaction between the factors for this variable, but without affecting productive performance. The inclusion of up to 20% SC in the rations does not affect bird performance in both evaluated phases; however the use of 20% SC with enzymes is more economically viable.

摘要：本试验旨在评估生长阶段轻型后备蛋鸡日粮中添加向日葵粕（sunflower cake, SC）及酶制剂的效果，及其对采食量与饲料转化率、生产性能、性成熟、产蛋初期蛋品质及经济可行性的影响。试验选用540只海兰W-36（Hy-Line W-36）轻型品系后备蛋鸡，采用完全随机设计，设置2×2+1因子试验方案：设置2个SC添加水平（10%、20%），分别添加或不添加酶制剂，另设对照组。生长阶段（7~17周龄）结束后，选取360只试验鸡转入产蛋鸡舍，饲养至35周龄。结果显示，SC添加水平与酶制剂未产生交互作用，但日粮类型与酶制剂各自对采食量与饲料转化率存在显著影响。鸡蛋比重出现下降，且两因素对该指标存在交互作用，但未对生产性能造成影响。日粮中添加不超过20%的SC对两个试验阶段的鸡只生产性能均无不良影响；然而，日粮中添加20% SC并辅以酶制剂时，试验具备更高的经济可行性。