Effect of Body Weight, Feed Allowance, and Dietary Protein Intake During the Prebreeder Period on Early Reproductive Performance of Broiler Breeder Hens

Abstract

In Experiment 1, two groups (n = 180) of breeder pullets were selected at 16 wk from two larger groups with BW of either 1,591 +/- 43 (LBW) or 1,988 +/- 59 g (HBW). From 16 wk of age until a peak feed allotment of 159 g per bird per day, weekly feed allowances were increased in a low (LOW), medium (MED), or high (HIGH) manner. There were significant differences (P less than .05) in BW between the LBW and HBW treatments through 32 wk of age. Within each pullet weight class, the HIGH treatment was numerically heaviest through 32 wk. The HBW hens had significantly improved hen-day production from 24 to 28 (P less than .001) and 28 to 32 wk (P less than .06). The LOW treatment resulted in significantly poorer production in both the LBW and HBW weight groups from 24 to 28 wk. There were no signficant treatment effects on egg weight at a given age. Within each pullet treatment, the HIGH treatment resulted in an increased percentage of double yolked (DY) eggs from 24 to 28 wk (P less than .05) and 28 to 32 wk (P less than .07). In experiment 2, pullets in each of two pullet treatments received approximately 12 kg of feed from 2 to 24 wk of age. One treatment received a greater quantity of feed early in the rearing period (HEAVY) while pullets in the other treatment received a greater quantity of feed later in the rearing period (LIGHT). One-half of the pullets from each rearing treatment were fed either a 14% (LOWPRO) or 18% (HIGHPRO) protein diet during the prelay period (18 to 24 wk). Pullets in the HEAVY treatment were significantly heavier (P less than .01) than those in the LIGHT treatment at 21 but not at 24 wk. The HIGHPRO treatment resulted in a significant improvement (P less than .05) in hen-day egg production from 24 to 28 and 28 to 32 wk. There were no treatment effects on egg weight, and the LOWPRO treatment resulted in a significant increase (P less than or equal to .01) in the number of DY eggs from 28 to 32 wk.

Comparative Egg Production, Fertility and Hatchability of Cobb-500, Ross and Hubbard-Hi-Yield Broiler Parent Stock in Bangladesh

“…Hubbard-Hi-Yield strain was the best performer in terms of fertility followed by Ross and Cobb-500, respectively, which is consistent with the results reported by Robinson and Wilson (1996), and Lilburn and Myers (1990). They stated that the heavier birds had lower fertility than the lighter birds.…”

Influence of diet and commingling on performance parameters in replacement broiler breeders following live oocyst coccidiosis vaccination

“…It is clearly established that different planes of nutrition can influence the growth and performance of replacement broiler breeders [18,19]. Such observations were supported in the current study.…”

Efficacy of pre-lay diet

“…Among the review provided, varying results have been noticed. Keshavarz (1984), Lilburn and Myers-Miller (1990a), Anderson et al(1995), Keshavarz (1998), Joseph et al (2000), Oke et al (2003) and Isika et al (2006) had observed age at sexual maturity and 50% egg production advanced due to increased dietary protein levels. This agreed with our finding, where the higher prelay protein of 18% had advanced age by seven and five days to the BIS control group at sexual maturity and at 50% egg production, respectively.…”