Effects of physical form of feed and cage density on laying performance and pattern ‎and egg quality of laying hens

A total of 384 Shaver laying hens were selected at 50 weeks of age, and used in a factorial arrangement with two feed forms (mash and pellet) and three cage densities (3, 4 and 5 hens per cage) for 10 weeks. During 10 weeks of experiment, laying performance and at week 10 egg quality parameters, were measured. The results showed that hens fed pellet feed had higher egg weight at first 5 weeks and higher egg weight and lower feed intake and lower feed conversion ratio for ovearll 10 weeks of experiment, compared to those fed mash diet. During first 5 weeks of experiment, with increasing birds per cage 3 to 4 and 5, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (P<0.01), and for overall 10 weeks of experiment, with increasing birds from 3 to 5 per cage, egg production and feed consumption werer significantly reduced (P<0.05). The final body weight and weight changes of lying hens were affected by the cage density, feed form (P<0.01) and their interaction (P<0.05) during experimental period. The effect of cage density on shell thickness and specific gravity of eggs was significant (P<0.05). Egg production during the day was postponed in birds fed pellet feed or reared at higher density. The results showed that by increasing the cage density, laying performance was decreased, but for hens fed pellet feed, cage density had no effect on feed intake.