Split-feeding as a sustainable feeding strategy for improving egg production and quality, nutrient digestibility, and environmental impact in laying hens

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of split feeding on production performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, odor emissions, and economic benefits in laying hens. A total of 468 Hy-Line Brown hens, aged 63 weeks, were divided into three dietary treatments over 13 weeks. The control group received a single basal diet, while two split-feeding groups (TRT1 and TRT2) received diets differing in nutrient composition between the morning and afternoon. TRT1 and TRT2 contained 10 % and 15 % less crude protein (CP), respectively, compared to CON. TRT1 maintained the same levels of metabolizable energy, standardized ileal digestibility amino acids, calcium, and phosphorus as CON, while TRT2 had 5 % lower metabolizable energy, standardized ileal digestibility amino acids, and calcium, and 15 % lower phosphate. Results showed that TRT1 reduced the incidence of downgraded eggs by 19.3 % in the later phase of the experiment (9-12 weeks) compared to CON (P = 0.025, 0.043, 0.022, 0.011). Both TRT1 and TRT2 reduced diet costs by 6 % and 15 %, respectively. Additionally, split feeding improved nutrient digestibility, reduced harmful gas emissions, and resulted in a 4.5 % feed cost savings per kilogram of salable egg production compared to CON. These findings suggest that split feeding (TRT1) could enhance egg quality, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the sustainability of poultry farming.

Keywords: Calcium availability; Egg quality; Layer; Split feeding.