The influence of protein level in the diet on cannibalism and quality of plumage of layers.

A factorial experiment, with seven levels of protein and seven strains of layers, was conducted to determine the effect of protein level on plumage condition and mortality due to cannibalism. The experiment was carried out with a total of 3,136 layers. The protein content of the feed varied from 11.1 to 19.3%. The experiment revealed that protein levels had an effect (P < 0.0001) on plumage condition, and that the plumage condition also varies (P < 0.01) with strain of layers. A strain by protein levels interaction occurred (P < 0.01) between strains of Leghorn layers, but not between strains of layers of medium body size. The requirement for energy to maintenance was reduced by 10.8 kcal ME per bird per d each time the plumage condition was improved by one point. Mortality due to cannibalism was influenced by protein level (P < 0.001) and strains of layers (P < 0.001). No significant improvement in plumage condition or reduction in cannibalism was obtained with 15.2% or more protein in the feed. The reason for the unsatisfactory plumage condition and the high mortality rate due to cannibalism for the diets low in protein could be inadequate lysine, methionine, and threonine in the diets. But the possibility of an amino acid imbalance in that protein, which is available for the birds after the egg production has taken place, may not be ignored.