Response of Strain to Amino Acid Supplementation and Lysine Requirements in Low Protein Layer Diets

Abstract

Two primary means of meeting amino acid requirements of laying hens, and nonruminants in general, are the use of diets high enough in protein to supply the needed amounts of all amino acids along with some excesses or by feeding low protein diets supplemented with minimum levels of essential amino acids needed for maximum performance. Proper supplementation of these low protein diets requires knowledge of the laying hen\u27s requirement for amino acids and the interrelationships among amino acids, along with information about the influence of factors such as strain and management on these requirements . One purpose of the studies herein was to observe the influences of selected amino acid supplementations to a low protein layer diet on two strains of laying hens. A second purpose was to establish an optimum level of dietary lysine in low protein layer diets. Thirdly, some influences of supplemental on of this diet with isoleucine and tryptophan on the hen\u27s lysine requirement were examined. As more data become available about amino acid supplementation of low protein diets, this information may be used in least-cost ration formulation programs. This will permit optimum utilization of natural feedstuffs and synthetic amino acids to more closely match the dietary amino acid content with minimum requirements