Prediction of feed intake and residual feed consumption in laying hen chickens [electronic resouce].

Includes references.

An experiment was conducted to determine the expected feed consumption (EFC) and residual feed consumption (RFC) in brown and white Hy-line strains. Two hundred and ten Hy-line hens (120 white and 90 brown) were used. The experiment began when the hens aged 20 wk of age and lasted at 24 wk. All hens were kept under similar environmental, managerial and hygienic conditions. Main results obtained could summarized as follows: - The brown Hy-line hens had significantly heavier body weight compared to white Hy-line ones. - The brown hens were significantly heavier than that of the white ones. - Egg production rate for white Hy-line hens was higher than that of brown Hy-line ones. - The brown Hy-line hens significantly consumed more feed compared to white ones. However, the white Hy-line hens had a better feed conversion ratio compared to brown Hy-line hens. - The regression equation calculated for white Hy-line hens had a better rate of determination (R2) compared to brown Hy-line ones. - The observed feed consumption values were somewhat closely to expected feed consumption values in white Hy-line hens compared to brown Hy-line hens. - Highly significant positive correlation between RFC and body weight was observed in both brown and white Hy-line strains. - Egg mass and egg number were negatively correlated with RFC in both brown and white Hy-line strains. - Plasma globulin was highly significant positively correlated with RFC in white Hy-line strain. Similar trend, but very low, was observed in brown Hy-line one. - There was an inverse significant relationship between plasma albumen and RFC for white Hy-line strain.

Summary in Arabic.

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