[Substitution of protein feed through lysine-supplemented high-protein wheat during the rearing and laying period of hens. 2. Effect of graded lysine doses on food consumption and the rate of weight gain in young hens].

In a feeding trial 1920 young hens received rations consisting mainly of high-protein wheat with or without additions of lysine or methionine (table 1) and a control ration. The five rations contained 0.77%, 0,59%, 0,61%, 0,54% of 0,46% lysine. In the period between the 9th and 20th week of experiment the hens receiving less lysine consumed less food in the beginning but more food towards the end of this experimental period (12th to 16th week of experiment). The lower energy content of the control diet produced a higher rate of food consumption. Variations in the lysine supply in general produced only slight differences in feed consumption and weight gain in the rearing period of the hens, whereas a compensatory effect was observed with regard to the growth rate of the birds. Despite the balanced crude protein consumption of the birds a positive linear regression of crude protein utilization was calculated for the percantege crude protein retention (y) as depending upon the lysine content of the ration (x) (y = 11.34 + 19,61x; B = 0.93). The wheat protein could be improved by lysine supplements.