Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pftt2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-03T07:20:20.128Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Sequential and choice feeding in laying hens: adapting nutrient supply to requirements during the egg formation cycle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 March 2018

A. MOLNÁR ,
C. HAMELIN ,
E. DELEZIE  and
Y. NYS
A. MOLNÁR
Affiliation:
ILVO, Scheldeweg 68, B9090 Melle, Belgium Experimental Poultry Center, Poiel 77, B2440 Geel, Belgium
C. HAMELIN
Affiliation:
CCPA, F35150 Janzé, France
E. DELEZIE
Affiliation:
ILVO, Scheldeweg 68, B9090 Melle, Belgium
Y. NYS*
Affiliation:
BOA, INRA, Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France
*
Corresponding author: yves.nys@inra.fr
Get access

Abstract

Conventional feeding systems for laying hens rely on a complete feed available ad libitum in mash, pelleted or crumble form. When complete feeds are used, intake is mainly controlled by the hens’ energy requirement and feed presentation, but the birds cannot adjust their consumption to other nutritional needs and thus over-consume to cover the calcium needed for egg shell formation. Sequential, loose-mix and choice feeding offer birds the opportunity to select different diets in the short term. These feeding strategies have been proposed as alternative feeding systems whose main objectives are to match nutrient supply to individual requirements during the daily changes induced by the temporal sequence of the egg formation. This review discusses some findings related to the use of whole cereals and of alternating low and high energy or protein diets, conditions which may improve feed utilisation efficiency. In addition, the adjustment of calcium and phosphorus levels during the day can have benefits in terms of egg production and quality. This review explores the physiological basis for sequential, loose-mix and choice feeding and evaluates the impact of these systems on egg production and quality.

Keywords

sequentialchoiceloose-mix feedinglaying henegg formation
Type
Review
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 74 , Issue 2 , June 2018 , pp. 199 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

AHMAD, H.A. and BALANDER, R.J. (2004) Physiological response of layers to alternative feeding regimen of calcium source and phosphorus level. International Journal of Poultry Science 3: 100-111.Google Scholar
AMERAH, A.M., RAVINDRAN, V., LENTLE, R. and THOMAS, D.G. (2007) Feed particle size: Implications on the digestion and performance of poultry. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science 63: 439-455.Google Scholar
AMORNTHEWAPHAT, N., ATTAMANGKUNE, S., SONGSERM, O., RUANGPANIT, Y. and THOMAWONG, P. (2007) Effects of Corn Particle Size in Layer Diet on Laying Performance and Uniformity of Egg Quality under High Stocking Density. Proceedings of the 16th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, Strasbourg, pp. 479-482.Google Scholar
BENNETT, C.D. and CLASSEN, H.L. (2003) Performance of two strains of laying hens fed ground and whole barley with and without access to insoluble grit. Poultry Science 82: 147-149.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
BLAIR, R., DEWAR, W.A. and DOWNIE, J.N. (1973) Egg production responses of hens given a complete mash or unground grain together with concentrate pellets. British Poultry Science 14: 373-377.Google Scholar
BOUVAREL, I., NYS, Y. and LESCOAT, P. (2011) Hen nutrition for sustained egg quality, in: NYS, Y., BAIN, M. & VAN IMMERSEEL, F. (Eds) Improving the safety and quality of eggs and egg products: Volume 1: Egg chemistry, production and consumption, pp. 261-299 (Cambridge, Woodhead Publishing Ltd).Google Scholar
BRIONNE, A., NYS, Y., HENNEQUET-ANTIER, C. and GAUTRON, J. (2014) Hen uterine gene expression profiling during eggshell formation reveals putative proteins involved in the supply of minerals or in the shell mineralisation process. BMC Genomics 15: 220.Google Scholar
AL BUSTANY, Z. and ELWINGER, K. (1988) Whole grains, unprocessed rapeseed and beta-glucanase in diets for laying hens. Swedish Journal of Agricultural Research 18: 31-40.Google Scholar
CHAH, C.C. and MORAN, E.T. (1985) Egg characteristics of high performance of hens at the end of lay when given cafeteria access to energy, protein and calcium. Poultry Science 64: 1696-1712.Google Scholar
CUFADAR, Y., OLGUN, O. and YILDIZ, A.Ö. (2011) The effect of dietary calcium concentration and particle size on performance, eggshell quality, bone mechanical properties and tibia mineral contents in moulted laying hens. British Poultry Science 52: 761-768.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
CUMMING, R.B. (1994) Opportunities for whole grain feeding. Proceedings of the 9th European Poultry Conference, Glasgow, pp. 219-222.Google Scholar
ETCHES, R.J. (1996) Reproduction in poultry in CAB International (Ed), pp 1-307 Wallingford, UK.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
FARRELL, D.J., HAMID, R. and HUTAGALUNG, R.I. (1981) Free-choice feeding of laying hens in the humid tropics. Tropical Animal Production 6: 22-29.Google Scholar
FORBES, J.M. and COVASA, M. (1995) Application of diet selection by poultry with particular reference to whole cereals. World's Poultry Science Journal 51: 149-165.Google Scholar
GUINOTTE, F. and NYS, Y. (1991) The effects of particle size and origin of calcium sources on egg shell quality and bone mineralization in egg laying hens. Poultry Science 70: 583-592.Google Scholar
HENUK, Y.L., THWAITES, C.J., HILL, M.K. and DINGLE, J.G. (2000) The effect of temperature on responses of laying hens to choice feeding in a single feeder. Proceedings of the 21st Australian Poultry Science Symposium, Sydney, pp. 117-120.Google Scholar
JOLY, P. (1999) Feeding and feeding times. ISA, Institut de Sélection Animale. Available from: http://www.hypor.com/~/media/Files/ISA/Information/Technical%20Bulletins/Nutrition /new%20p%20joly/Feeding-and-feeding-times-pj-n.pdf.Google Scholar
JORDAN, D., UMAR FARUK, M., LESCOAT, P., NABIL ALI, M., ŠTUHEC, I., BESSEI, W. and LETERRIER, C. (2010) The influence of sequential feeding on behavior, feed intake and feather condition in laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 127: 115-124.Google Scholar
KARUNAJEEWA, H. (1978) The performance of cross-bred hens given free choice feeding of whole grains and a concentrate mixture and the influence of source of xanthophylls on yolk colour. British Poultry Science 19: 699-708.Google Scholar
KESHAVARZ, K. (1998a) Investigation on the possibility of reducing protein, phosphorus, and calcium requirements of laying hens by manipulation of time of access to these nutrients. Poultry Science 77: 1320-1332.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
KESHAVARZ, K. (1998b) Further investigations on the effect of dietary manipulation of protein, phosphorus, and calcium for reducing their daily requirement for laying hens. Poultry Science 77: 1333-1346.Google Scholar
KORELESKI, J. and SWIATKIEWICZ, S. (2004) Calcium from limestone meal and grit in laying hen diets - effect on performance, eggshell and bone quality. Journal of Animal and Feed Science 13: 635-645.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
LEE, K.H. and OHH, Y.S. (2002) Effects of nutrient levels and feeding regimen of a.m. and p.m. diets on laying hen performances and feed cost. Korean Journal of Poultry Science 29: 195-204.Google Scholar
LEESON, S. and SUMMERS, J.D. (1979) Dietary Self-Selection by Layers. Poultry Science 58: 646-651.Google Scholar
LEESON, S. and SUMMERS, J.D. (2009) Feeding programs for laying hens, in: LEESON, S. & SUMMERS, J.D. (Eds) Commercial Poultry Nutrition. pp. 164-225 (Nottingham University Press)Google Scholar
LICHOVNIKOVA, M. (2007) The effect of dietary calcium source, concentration and particle size on calcium retention, eggshell quality and overall calcium requirement in laying hens. British Poultry Science 48: 71-5.Google Scholar
MOZOS DE LOS, J., GUTIERREZ DEL ALAMO, A., VAN GERWE, T. and SACRANIE, A. (2012) Effect of reduced energy and protein levels of the afternoon diets on performance of laying hens using the oviposition determined feeding system. Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium, Sydney, pp. 283-286.Google Scholar
MASTIKA, I.M. and CUMMING, R.B. (1987) Effect of previous experience, and environmental variations on the performance and pattern of feed intake of choice fed and complete fed broilers, in FARRELL, D. J. (Ed) Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia, pp. 260-282 (University of New England, Armidale).Google Scholar
MEUNIER-SALAÜN, M.C. and FAURE, J.M. (1984) On the feeding and social behaviour of the laying hen. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 13: 129-141.Google Scholar
MONGIN, P. and SAUVEUR, B. (1974) Voluntary food and calcium intake by the laying hen. British Poultry Science 15: 349-359.Google Scholar
MORRIS, B.A. and TAYLOR, T.G. (1967) The daily food consumption of laying hens in relation to egg formation. British Poultry Science 8: 251-257.Google Scholar
MURAMATSU, T., HIRAMOTO, K. and OKUMURA, J. (1991) Changes in ovalbumin and protein synthesis in vivo in the magnum of laying hens during the egg formation cycle. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Comparative Biochemistry 99: 141-146.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
NYS, Y. (2017) Laying hen nutrition: optimizing energy intake, egg size and weight, in: ROBERTS, J. (Ed) Achieving sustainable production of eggs, Volume 2: Animal welfare and sustainability, pp 3-28 (Cambridge, UK, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing).Google Scholar
NYS, Y. and GUYOT, N. (2011) Egg formation and chemistry, in: NYS, Y., BAIN, M. & VAN IMMERSEEL, F. (Eds) Improving the Safety and Quality of Eggs and Egg Products Volume 1: Egg Chemistry, Production and Consumption, pp. 83-126 (Cambridge, Woodhead Publishing Ltd).Google Scholar
NYS, Y. and LE ROY, N. (2018) Calcium Homeoastasis and Eggshell Biomineralisation in Female Chicken, in: FELDMAN, D., PIKE, J.W., BOUILLON, R., GIOVANUCCI, E., GOLTZMAN, D. & HEWISON, M. (Eds) Vitamin D, Volume 1: Physiology and Diagnostics, Chapter 22 pp361-382 (Academic Press, Elsevier Inc.)Google Scholar
OLVER, M.D. and MALAN, D.D. (2000) The effect of choice-feeding from 7 weeks of age on the production characteristics of laying hens. South African Journal of Animal Sciences 30: 110-114.Google Scholar
OUART, M.D., MARION, J.E. and HARMS, R.H. (1986) Influence of Wheat Particle Size in Diets of Laying Hens. Poultry Science: 1015-1017.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
PELICIA, K., GARCIA, E., MORI, C., FAITARONE, A., SILVA, A., MOLINO, A., VERCESE, F. and BERTO, D. (2009) Calcium Levels and Limestone Particle Size in the Diet of Commercial Layers at the End of the First Production Cycle. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science 11: 87-94.Google Scholar
PENZ, A.M. and JENSEN, L.S. (1991) Influence of Protein Concentration, Amino Acid Supplementation, and Daily Time of Access to High- or Low-Protein Diets on Egg Weight and Components in Laying Hens. Poultry Science 70: 2460-2466.Google Scholar
PICARD, M., MELCION, J., BOUCHOT, C. and FAURE, J.M. (1997) Picorage et prèhensibilitè des particules alimentaires chez les volailles. INRA Productions Animales 10: 403-414.Google Scholar
PIZZOLANTE, C., KAKIMOTO, S., SALDANHA, E., LAGANÁ, C., SOUZA, H. and MORAES, J. (2011) Limestone and oyster shell for brown layers in their second egg production cycle. Revista Brasileira de Ciência Avícola 13: 103-111.Google Scholar
PORTELLA, F.J., CASTON, L.J. and LEESON, S. (1988) Apparent Feed Particle Size Preference By Broilers. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 68: 923-930.Google Scholar
POTTGUETTER, R. (2015) Nutrition of hens in extended production cycles - as a practical approach. Proceeding of 16th European Symposium on the Quality of Eggs and Egg Products, Nantes, pp 14.Google Scholar
ROBINSON, D. (1985) Performance of laying hens as affected by split time and split composition dietary regimens using ground and unground cereals. British Poultry Science 26: 299-309.Google Scholar
RUHNKE, I., RÖHE, I., KRÄMER, C., GOODARZI BOROOJENI, F., KNORR, F., MADER, A., SCHULZE, E., HAFEEZ, A., NEUMANN, K., LÖWE, R. and ZENTEK, J. (2015) The effects of particle size, milling method, and thermal treatment of feed on performance, apparent ileal digestibility, and pH of the digesta in laying hens. Poultry Science 94: 692-699.Google Scholar
SAFAA, H.M., JIMÉNEZ-MORENO, E., VALENCIA, D.G., FRIKHA, M., SERRANO, M.P. and MATEOS, G.G. (2009) Effect of main cereal of the diet and particle size of the cereal on productive performance and egg quality of brown egg-laying hens in early phase of production. Poultry Science 88: 608-14.Google Scholar
SAFAA, H.M., SERRANO, M.P., VALENCIA, D.G., FRIKHA, M., JIMÉNEZ-MORENO, E. and MATEOS, G.G. (2008) Productive performance and egg quality of brown egg-laying hens in the late phase of production as influenced by level and source of calcium in the diet. Poultry Science 87: 2043-51.Google Scholar
SAUVEUR, B. (1991) Effect of method of rearing of fowls on egg characters, INRA Productions Animales, 4: 123-130.Google Scholar
SCANES, C.G., CAMPBELL, R. and GRIMINGER, P. (1987) Control of energy balance during egg production in the laying hen. Journal of Nutrition 117: 605-611.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SEGALEN, L., MILLS, M., SEBILO, M., LABOURDETTE, N., VAURY, V. and NYS, Y. (2013) Influence of diet compositions and drinking waters on the stables carbon and oxygen isotopes ratios of Gallus gallus eggs. Proceedings of the 15th European Symposium on the Quality of Eggs and Egg Products, Bergamo, pp. 15-20.Google Scholar
SKRIVAN, M., ENGLMAIEROVA, M., MAROUNEK, M., SKRIVANOVA, V., TAUBNER, T. and VIT, T. (2016) Effect of dietary magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and limestone grain size on productive performance and eggshell quality of hens. Czech Journal of Animal Science 61: 473-480.Google Scholar
TAUSON, R. and ELWINGER, K. (1986) Prototypes for Application of Choice Feeding in Caged Laying Hens Using Flat Chain Feeders. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica 36: 129-146.Google Scholar
TRAINEAU, M., BOUVAREL, I., MULSANT, C., ROFFIDAL, L., LAUNAY, C. and LESCOAT, P. (2013) Effects on performance of ground wheat with or without insoluble fiber or whole wheat in sequential feeding for laying hens. Poultry Science 92: 2475-2486.Google Scholar
TRAINEAU, M., BOUVAREL, I., MULSANT, C., ROFIDAL, L., LAUNAY, C. and LESCOAT, P. (2015) Modulation of energy and protein supplies in sequential feeding in laying hens. Animal 9: 49-57.Google Scholar
UMAR FARUK, M., BOUVAREL, I., MALLET, S., ALI, M.N., TUKUR, H.M., NYS, Y. and LESCOAT, P. (2011) Is sequential feeding of whole wheat more efficient than ground wheat in laying hens? Animal 5: 230-238.Google Scholar
UMAR FARUK, M., BOUVAREL, I., MÊME, N., RIDEAU, N., ROFFIDAL, L., TUKUR, H.M., BASTIANELLI, D., NYS, Y. and LESCOAT, P. (2010a) Sequential feeding using whole wheat and a separate protein-mineral concentrate improved feed efficiency in laying hens. Poultry Science 89: 785-96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
UMAR FARUK, M., BOUVAREL, I., MEME, N., ROFFIDAL, L., TUKUR, H.M., NYS, Y. and LESCOAT, P. (2010b) Adaptation of wheat and protein-mineral concentrate intakes by individual hens fed ad libitum in sequential or in loose-mix systems. British Poultry Science 51: 811-820.Google Scholar