The effect of increasing feeding frequency on performance, plasma hormones and metabolites, and hepatic lipid metabolism of broiler breeder hens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of feeding regimens on reproductive performance, plasma hormone and metabolite levels, and hepatic lipid metabolism of Cobb 500 broiler breeder hens from 26 to 38 wk of age. Seventy-two birds were used in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments, each replicated 4 times. Treatments were as follows: 1) once a day feeding, in which birds were fed once a day at 0615 h (control), 2) twice a day feeding, in which daily allocated feed was fed in 2 equal meals at 0615 and 1215 h, and 3) thrice a day feeding in which daily allocated feed was offered in 3 equal meals at 0615, 1215, and 1815 h. Through 38 wk of age, total hen-day egg production in the hens fed twice and thrice a day was greater (67.1 and 67.2 vs. 62.2 eggs/hen, P < 0.01). Similarly, egg weight was higher (P < 0.01) in birds fed more than once a day. Multi-meal-fed birds had significantly lower plasma triiodothyronine and glucose at 32 wk and also lower glucose and cholesterol, and higher 17β-estradiol levels at 38 wk than those fed once a day (P ≤ 0.05). Hepatic expression of malic enzyme, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and ATP citrate lyase relative to β-actin decreased (P < 0.05) in birds fed twice and thrice a day compared with birds fed once a day at peak egg production (32 wk). In contrast, feeding regimens did not affect the hepatic gene expression of lipogenic enzymes after peak egg production at 38 wk. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) gene expression was constant over dietary regimens. There was no difference in malic enzyme activity in multi-meal-fed birds at 38 wk. In summary, feeding broiler breeder hens 2 or 3 meals per day improved the reproductive performance during the early lay cycle. Implementing twice or thrice a day feeding regimens altered hepatic lipogenic gene expression in broiler breeder hens only at peak egg production, which indicated a short-term effect of increasing feeding frequency on hepatic lipid metabolism.

Assessment of Chicken Feed, Feeding Management and Chicken Productivity in Intensive Poultry Farms at Selected Farms of Three Zonesin Tigray Region

“…This result is in line with the report of [26] who reported that productivity of the chicken could be affected by feeding frequency. At the same time the present finding is also supported by the report of [27] who indicated that twice and thrice a day feeding regimens rather than once a day improved egg production rate. The current finding also coincides with the report of [28,29] who reported that chicken fed twice a day produced more eggs compared with chicken fed once a day and the chicken received their feed 2 or 3 times per day laid 4.8 eggs more than those that fed one time per day [30].…”

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

“…They believed that increased egg weight was related to providing feed later in the day (3:00 PM). Moradi et al (2013) evaluated hens fed once a day at 6:15 AM and a twice a day feeding (at 6:15 AM and 12:15 PM) and Taherkhani et al (2010) evaluated hens fed once a day at 7:30 AM and twice a day feeding (at 7:30 AM and 11:30 AM), both authors reported that broiler breeders fed twice a day laid more and heavier eggs than those fed once a day. The influence of increasing feeding frequency may be related to a reduction in the fasting period during the day-light cycle (Moradi et al, 2013).…”

“…Moradi et al (2013) evaluated hens fed once a day at 6:15 AM and a twice a day feeding (at 6:15 AM and 12:15 PM) and Taherkhani et al (2010) evaluated hens fed once a day at 7:30 AM and twice a day feeding (at 7:30 AM and 11:30 AM), both authors reported that broiler breeders fed twice a day laid more and heavier eggs than those fed once a day. The influence of increasing feeding frequency may be related to a reduction in the fasting period during the day-light cycle (Moradi et al, 2013). The results of this study were according to the results reported by Cave (1981), Bootwalla et al (1983) and Samara et al (1996), who reported that different feeding schedules had no effect on egg production.…”

“…To regulate this gain, limit health risks, and also maintain high fertility, husbandry practices for the parent stock of broiler chickens encompass a high degree of feed restriction (Renema and Robinson, 2004). Quantitative feed restriction is a common management technique used to increase the reproductive efficiency of broiler breeder hens (Moradi et al, 2013).…”

Effect of Two-step Time-restricted Feeding on the Fattening Traits in Geese

“…This result differed from that in previous study in which the fasting plasma glucose levels did not differ between restricted feeding and ad libitum feeding geese (Ho et al, 2014). In broiler breeders, the plasma glucose levels immediately before feeding were lower in the birds that were fed once a day compared with the birds that were fed twice or thrice a day (Moradi et al, 2013). In the present study, the fasting plasma triacylglycerol level in Group R1 was higher than those in Groups R2 and C. The result was contrary to the previous study in which the fasting plasma triacylglycerol level in the restricted geese was lower compared with the ad libitum geese (Ho et al, 2014).…”