Stocks and Management
Before the start of the experiment, feed was provided
in mash form (19.8% CP, 2,900 kcal/kg from
0 to 3 wk; 17.0% CP, 2,731 kcal/kg from 3 wk to
25 wk of age) to 800 Ross 708 pullets (Aviagen Inc.,
Huntsville, AL). At 21 wk, 192 individuals were randomly
selected and distributed into individual cages in
the 6 environmental chambers. At the start of the study
(25 wk of age) the BW of hens in the LE and HE treatments
averaged 2.754 ± 0.177 and 2.739 ± 0.181 kg,
respectively. Identical feed allocations were provided
to each hen within diet within chamber. Photoperiod
was 15 h light to 9 h dark. Water was available ad libitum
throughout the experiment.