The effect of different feeding schedules on egg quality, blood, and bone parameters in broiler breeders

Abstract

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.

Effects of feeding strategies during lay on broiler breeder production performance, eggshell quality, incubation traits, and behavior

“…No treatment effects on breaking strength, eggshell thickness, eggshell weight (after cooking and after 24 h drying), DM eggshell, or specific gravity were observed ( Table 5 ). These findings are in accordance with the studies of Samara et al (1996) , Backhouse and Gous (2005) , Spradley et al (2008) , Londero et al (2015 , 2016 ), and van Emous and Mens (2021) . In contrast to our findings, higher eggshell weights were found in breeders ( Lewis and Perry, 1988 ; Soltanmoradi et al, 2013 ) and layers ( de Los Mozos, 2014 ) when feeding twice-a-day.…”

The relationship between phosphorus retention and fibroblast growth factor 23 in broiler breeders

“…Broiler breeders have complex Ca and P regulations to meet the dual metabolic demand of synthesizing eggshells while maintaining skeletal structural integrity ( de Matos, 2008 ). Eggshell thickness is correlated with the amount of circulating Ca present which is derived from both the diet and medullary bone reserves ( Londero et al, 2018 ). Notably eggshell quality influences hatchability which is modulated by many factors including age of the hen, diet, environmental conditions, genetic strain, stress, disease, and nutrition ( Bain, 2005 ; Ketta and Tumova, 2016 ).…”