The effects of protein level on feather pecking and feather condition of laying hens

摘要

From week 9 to week 11, 120 Hailan layers were assigned at random to groups of 5 individuals and distributed among 24 hens. They were kept in pens with different protein levels in diet. The three protein levels are 14%, 17% and 19% respectively. We then observed the feather pecking and feather condition of laying hens. We studied the feather condition in detail and observed feather condition of body pecked by laying hens. We score the plumage damage and found that protein levels had significant effects on the feather pecking and feather condition of laying hens. With the increasing of protein levels increasing, the occurrence of feather pecking had decreased. With the increase of protein levels, the score of damaged feather of laying hens had decreased. However, the damage done to the feather was little.