Layer Performance When Returned to a Practical Diet after Receiving an Amino Acid-Deficient Diet

Abstract Hy-Line W-36 commercial laying hens, 29 wk of age, were fed a diet deficient in various amino acids for 8 wk. The deficient diet was also supplemented with six of the amino acids that were considered to be limiting. Performance of hens was significantly reduced when supplemental Trp, Thr, Ile, or Met was removed from the diet, and numerically reduced when supplemental Lys or Arg was removed. Performance of hens was improved during the first week the hens received a practical diet that was adequate in all nutrients and significantly improved during the second week. There was no difference in the performance of the hens during the third and fourth week.