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This study aimed at targeting fixed increases in body weight (100 g/wk) by quantitatively regulating energy allowances (ME) in broiler breeders from 5 to 20 wks of age. Four energy regimes were tested: 1. The energy required for maintenance, activity and growth was calculated for 100 g increases in body weight/wk and a measured quantity of grower diet (160 g protein and 2,600 kcal ME/kg) was offered to the control group (ME-100) to achieve the anticipated weight gain. The energy allowances increased with age from 132 to 294 kcal/d. 2. Additionally, three energy regimes were considered, quantitatively reducing ME by 10% (ME-90) or 20% (ME-80) and increasing by10% (ME-110) over the control group. Each test group had 23 replicates×5 female chicks housed in cages. The influence of energy regimes and age on growth, nutrient digestibility, carcass attributes, bone parameters and stress was evaluated at 4 wk intervals. Quantitative ME restriction by 10% (119-265 kcal/d) produced an average weight gain of 98.1 g/wk, which was closer to the targeted increase of 100 g/wk, whereas the control group attained it nine days earlier. Restriction of energy by 10 or 20% produced better conversion efficiency of feed, energy and protein and apparent digestibility of protein, Ca and P than 10% excess ME. Energy regimes did not influence eviscerated meat yield, but higher energy allowances (ME-110) significantly increased abdominal fat pad and liver weights and decreased giblet weight, percent muscle protein and tibia ash. Relatively higher stress was recorded in ME-restricted groups, as reflected by wider heterophil and lymphocyte ratios and increased bursa weight. Early age (5-12 wk) significantly influenced bone mineralization, conversion efficiency of feed, energy and protein and apparent digestibility of protein, Ca and P, while later ages (13-20 wk) increased eviscerated meat yield, abdominal fat, tibia weight and muscle protein and reduced stress. Energy regime x age interactions were significant and are discussed. In conclusion, the synthetic broiler line used in our study responded positively to controlled energy feeding during the rearing period. Breeders offered 119-265 kcal/d, a reduction of 10% energy over the control group, were more effective in regulating grower performance than the latter. In addition to energy regimes, age intervals also exhibited significant influence on specific parameters during the grower phase.

The effects of controlled energy restriction and duration of pre-incubation egg holding on fertility, hatchability and hatch losses were evaluated in aged broiler breeders (64 wk). The energy (ME) required for maintenance, activity, growth and anticipated egg production was calculated and offered to a control group (283-471 kcal/kg) from 21-64 weeks of age. In three other groups, ME was quantitatively reduced either by 20% (SER; severe energy restriction) or 10% (MER; moderate energy restriction) and increased by10% (EEF; excess energy feeding) over the control group (CER; controlled energy restriction). Each diet was offered to 130 pullets in individual cages, and the quantity of ME increased with age. At the end of 64 weeks, fertile eggs were collected from each dietary group for 11 consecutive days and grouped under 4 holding periods based on the length of storage (2, 5, 8 or 11 d). The influence of energy regimes, egg holding intervals and their interaction was evaluated on fertility, hatch losses and hatchability. Broiler breeders maintained on SER regime (231-419 kcal/d) produced maximum number of eggs (993) followed by MER (819), CER (624) and EEF (438) during the 11-day period. The percent fertility and hatchability was significantly (p≤0.05) higher in SER and MER groups compared to CER and EEF. However, energy regimes did not influence the loss in egg weight during pre-incubation storage, shell weight, shell thickness or hatch losses as dead germs and dead in shell. The improvement in hatchability in SER and MER groups appeared to be closely related to higher fertility and lower embryonic mortality. Holding of eggs for 11 days showed a linear loss in egg weight with the length of storage, but did not influence the fertility and hatch losses. The percent hatchability on eggs set was maximum when storage period was restricted to 5 days. The interaction between energy regimes and egg holding periods exhibited better hatchability results with SER regime when eggs were held for 5 days. Response to MER was not different from SER. It was obvious that energy restriction during production period had a positive influence on egg number, fertility and hatchability in aged breeders. At 64 weeks of age, holding of fertile eggs for 5 days prior to incubation was adequate for optimum hatchability in breeders.

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