Different levels of coconut meal in laying diets were compared in three studies using intensity of lay and feed conversion as criteria for comparison. In all studies the production and efficiency of feed utilization decreased as the level of coconut meal was increased in the diet. The best results were obtained when the level of coconut meal did not surpass approximately 20% of the diet. The practical level of coconut meal up to approximately 20% of the diet will be determined by its relative net cost.

COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CRUDE PROTEIN IN LAYING DIETS

INFLUENCE OF TUNA FISH OIL ON PALATABILITY AND ODOR OF EGGS

Different levels of molasses in practical diets for layers were compared in three studies with Leghorn hens, where laying intensity and feed conversion were used as criteria for comparison. In all three studies, levels as high as 20% were as good or better than the zero molasses control. Practical managerial considerations are discussed in regard to limiting the level of molasses to 15% to avoid "caking" (wet-compact litter). Up to the 15% level, the factor that may limit its use is its cost when compared to corn or any other suitable substitute.

The results of these studies demonstrate that: 1, Coconut meal contains a high level of crude protein but is deficient in some of the essential amino acids, particularly lysine and methionine-cystine, required by poultry; 2, a caloric deficiency resulted in practical-type diets when a per unit substitution by coconut meal was made of yellow corn; 3, levels of coconut meal (expeller-process) as high as 50 percent were used satisfactorily by broilers in properly-balanced, practical-type, fattening diets; and 4, economic considerations, such as price and availability of ingredients, will determine the amount of coconut meal to incorporate in practical-type poultry feeds up to the limiting level of 50 percent.