Fundamental Aspects of Restricted Feeding of Growing Pullets on Performance in Lay

The paucity of information on reasons for the increased efficiency of egg production by pullets which have been restricted-fed during rearing is discussed. Preliminary results are presented which form part of a detailed research programme aimed at elucidating the mechanisms responsible. Production responses of hens which had been restricted fed during rearing were similar to those expected. Egg production of individual pullets in the restricted-fed groups showed increased stability initially after first oviposition and maximum production was achieved more rapidly than in the ad libitum-reared pullets. Adiposity was reduced by restriction of feed intake during rearing. Starvation heat production appeared to be altered to some degree by rearing-period feed restriction. General conclusions from a single experiment such as reported in this paper must be tentative.