THE USE OF HIGH LEVELS OF SUNFLOWER SEED IN LAYER DIETS

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the efficient use of sunflower seeds (SFS), containing 19.7% of crude protein (CP) and 3.868 kcal ME / g, in layer diets by substituting 75 and 100% of soybean meal (SBM). Two hundred and eighty-eight heads of Isabrown layers, aged 23 weeks, were randomly allocated to 4 dietary groups, each with 6 replicates. The diets fed to the first 2 groups were either commercial or farm mixed control diets, while the latter 2 groups contained high levels of 29 and 39% SFS. All diets were adjusted to have 16% CP. The hens were raised in individual battery cages where feed and water were freely accessed. Light was provided 17 hours/day throughout the whole experimental period of 168 days. The results revealed that egg production and feed intake decreased significantly with the increased level of SFS, thus resulting in lower feed efficiency, especially at the 100% substitution level. However, no significant differences were found in body weight gain, mortality rate and egg quality with the exception of egg weight which increased while yolk color decreased with on increased SFS level.

There were no significant differences in egg production and egg quality among the 2 control groups fed with either commercial or farm mixed diets with the exception of a smaller egg size, but higher specific gravity and darker yolk color in the commercial control groups. At the end of the experimental period all hens were fed with farm mixed control diet for 3 months. No significant differences among groups in egg production and feed efficiency. However, the groups previously fed with SFS laid larger eggs.