Effect of fiber-rich molting diets on performance, gastro intestinal fermentation and microbial activity of laying hens

The objective of this experiment was to studythe effects of fiber-rich molting diets as alternative to the conventional feed withdrawal method, on performance, gastro intestinal fermentation and microbial activity of laying hens. One hundred eighty Hy-line (W36) laying hens were used in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 6 replicates by 12 birds in each replication during 12 days. Treatments were: 1- control group (hens fed with a layer diet), 2- feed withdrawal group, 3- laying hen diet containing 20000 mg zinc oxide/kg, 4- laying hen diet diluted by adding 90% alfalfa meal, 5- laying hen diet diluted by adding 90% palm kernel meal. Egg production of hen was monitored for 12 weeks during post molting period. Results show that lactobacilli and Escherichia coli bacteria population was significantly greater (P