THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF RAPESEED MEAL FOR CAGED LAYERS

Abstract

A total of 1536 SCWL pullets of two commercial genotypes (768 of each) were fed soybean meal (SM), Tower or Candle rapeseed meal (RSM) during either the growing and laying period or both. RSM can replace a major portion (74%) of the soybean meal of starter and grower diets without adversely affecting mortality or feed consumption. Differences were observed between the two genotypes for all traits measured during the laying period, except for mortality. Switching the birds from a SM grower diet to a 15% RSM layer diet resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in mortality. In general, the feeding of Tower RSM during both the growing and laying period resulted in heavier birds, earlier sexual maturity, higher egg production and improved feed efficiency compared to when diets containing Candle RSM were fed.