Transitional pullet feed and its significance at sexual maturity

Two biological experiments were carried out to find out the optimum energy, protein and calcium requirements in prelay pullet diets. Experiments involved different protein, energy and calcium levels during pre-lay period, two to three weeks before sexual maturity. It was revealed that a pre-lay diet with 2700 kcal/kg of energy, 18 per cent protein with 1.5 or 2 per cent calcium produced pullet at lower cost, had better body protein and fat and influenced bone status in terms of higher defatted dry tibial bone weight and longer and wider tibial bone. It could be concluded that pre-lay diet containing 2700 kcal/kg of dietary energy, 18 per cent C.P. and 2 per cent calcium is advisable for pullets before sexual maturity.