Protein and Energy Requirements of Laying Hens and Broiler Breeders

Layer and Breeder rations are still evaluated, as a rule, on the basis of their protein content, expressed as "percent protein". This is the easiest and most practical criterion, but unfortunately it is a relative measure, depending on general feed consumption. The latter hardly relates to the productive traits of the hen, being dependent primarily on the energy content of the feed and on the environmental temperature, with body weight of the birds coming only in third place, and with performance having even less of an effect,