The aim of this study was to evaluate different feeding schedules and their relationship to calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) plasma levels and egg quality of broiler breeders. The feeding schedules were: single feeding at 8:00 AM; twice daily feeding (50% at 8:00 AM and 50% at 3:00 PM) and single feeding at 3:00 PM. 330 female and 45 male Cobb 500 broiler breeders were used from 40 to 60 weeks of age. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of 3 treatments with 5 replicates each, with 22 females and 3 males. The nutritional requirements were according to guideline recommendations. The following parameters were assessed weekly: total egg production, egg specific gravity, egg and eggshell weight, and eggshell thickness. Ca and P plasma levels, tibia weight and its length and Seedor index were evaluated at the end of the study. To determine the effect of feeding schedules, the total calcium and phosphorus plasma at oviposition time and 21 h after oviposition was evaluated. At 60 weeks of age, tibias were taken from the right leg, dried, measured and weighted. There were no differences among treatments regarding egg production, tibia length and Seedor index. Hens fed at 8:00 AM showed higher tibia weight than hens fed twice daily. Broiler breeders fed at 3:00 PM had higher egg (P = 0.0105) and shell (P = 0.0066) weight than others, and hens fed at 3:00 PM had more specific gravity (P = 0.0219) and eggshell thickness (P = 0.0419) than hens fed at 8:00 AM. Ca (P = 0.758) and P (P = 0.811) plasma levels were higher in hens fed at 8:00 AM than hens fed at 3:00 PM after 21 h of oviposition. Broiler breeders fed at 3:00 PM had better egg quality without any change in production, as well as these hens showing higher available Ca and P plasma levels.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.