Feed Form and Feed Source Effects on Growth and Laying Performance, Egg Quality, and Follicular Variables in Layer Chickens

Feed form and source could influence feeding behaviour, feed intake, nutrient bioavailability, and productive performance of laying hens. This 40 weeks study evaluated the effects of feed form and feed source on production performance, egg quality traits, and follicular variables in layer chicks. Ninety day-old Isa Brown layer chicks were allocated to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design namely, commercial pellet (CP), commercial mash (CM), and farm-mixed mash (FMM). Each treatment had three replicates of 10 chicks each. Data on growth and laying performance, egg quality, follicle type, number, and weight were analyzed using the independent samples t-test. Results showed that pellet-fed chicks had significantly higher hen-day egg production (HDEP) at weeks 17–20, 29–32, 33–36, and 37–40 (p ≤ 0.05), and greater egg weight in the later production phase. Pellet feed consistently supported superior Haugh unit scores, and albumen, and yolk heights. On the other hand, chicks fed farm-mixed mash experienced a late-cycle egg production decline (42.07 ± 1.21% HDEP at weeks 37–40 versus 72.15 ± 1.31% for chicks fed commercial mash; p < 0.001), which was also associated with a diminished pre-hierarchical follicle pool. It is concluded that pellet feed confers significant commercial advantages in laying performance and internal egg quality. While farm-mixed rations may offer some cost-benefits during rearing, this advantage may be eroded by late phase egg production decline. Farm mixing of feed for laying hens may therefore, be disadvantageous in the long run in layer programmes unless nutrition precision, quality, and adequacy is consistently maintained throughout the rearing and laying phase.