The Effect of Low-Density Broiler Breeder Diets on Performance and Immune Status of their Offspring

Abstract

Effects of low-density broiler breeder diets on offspring performance and mortality were studied using 2,100 female and 210 male Cobb 500 breeders. Breeder treatments involved 4 experimental groups and a control group with normal density diets (ND, 2,600 kcal of AME/kg during rearing and 2,800 kcal of AME/kg during laying). In treatment 2, nutrient densities were decreased by 12% (LD12) and 11% (LD11) during the rearing and laying periods, respectively, whereas in treatment 3, nutrient densities were decreased by 23% (LD23) and 21% (LD21) during the rearing and laying periods, respectively. The nutrient density in these treatments was decreased through inclusion of palm kernel meal, wheat bran, wheat gluten feed, and sunflower seed meal in the diets. Treatment 4 included diets with the same nutrient densities as in treatment 2 but included oats and sugar beet pulp (LD12(OP) and LD11(OP)). In treatment 5, the same low-density diet was given to the breeders as in treatment 2 during the rearing period, but it was followed by a normal density diet during the laying period (LD12-ND). Treatments were applied from 4 to 60 wk of age. On low-density diets, offspring showed an increased 1-d-old weight. As compared with offspring of breeders that received ND, the d 38 live weight of chickens from 29-wk-old breeders fed LD11 was improved. Mortality was reduced in offspring from 60-wk-old parent stock given low-density diets. The IgM titers in 35-d-old offspring from eggs with a lower-than-average weight were reduced when 29-wk-old broiler breeders were fed low-density diets. In offspring from eggs with a higher-than-average weight from 60-wk-old parent stock given LD11 or LD21 diets, IgM titers were higher compared with ND. It was concluded that low-density broiler breeder diets can improve offspring growth rates, reduce mortality, and reduce or increase immune responses, depending on breeder age and egg weight.

Impact of nutrition on welfare aspects of broiler breeder flocks

“…These findings were confirmed in an experiment of Zuidhof et al (1995), who observed an improved feed and crude protein conversion efficiency in broiler breeder layers that were fed a diet diluted with 15% ground oat hulls compared to hens fed an undiluted diet. Low-density broiler breeder diets were found to improve offspring growth rates, reduce mortality, and reduce or increase immune responses, depending on breeder age and egg weight (Enting et al, 2007a). These positive results, however, were only found in the 15% diluted diet and not in a 30% diluted diet (Zuidhof et al, 1995).…”

Genetic analysis for dynamic changes of egg weight in 2 chicken lines

“…Due to different size preferences, egg consumption is highly diverse around the world [e.g., many consumers prefer relatively large eggs in some Western countries, as opposed to China (Jones et al, 2001;Koelkebeck et al, 2001)]. Moreover, egg weight has been reported to have a crucial effect on chick quality including hatchability, hatch weight, fitness, and chick performance (Pinchasov, 1991;Hart-mann et al, 2003;Enting et al, 2007;Nangsuay et al, 2011). Therefore, producing eggs of appropriate size and weight is a key issue for both producers and breeders.…”

Can breeder reproductive status, performance and egg quality be enhanced by supplementation and transition of n‐3 fatty acids?

“…However, given the inconsistent results of several studies, this concern may or may not be justified. Some studies show no effect (Puthpongsiriporn and Scheideler, , Bautista‐Ortega et al., ), some show a detrimental effect (Pappas et al., ; Al‐Khalifa et al., ), and some show an improvement (Wang et al., ; Yang and Guo, ; Enting et al., ). In our study, the inclusion level of 3.0% was probably too high, thereby provoking negative effects.…”