The Effect of Increased Protein Intake During 
 the Starter and Prebreeder Periods on Reproductive Performance of Ultra 
 High Yield Broiler Breeder Hens

The effects of ad libitum versus restricted feeding during the period from 22 to 62 wk of age were examined in 60 individually-housed Indian River broiler breeder hens. Body weight of 30 ad-libitum-fed hens was approximately 700 g heavier than that of 30 restricted hens throughout most of the laying period. Mean egg output was lower in ad-libitum-fed hens (136.2 eggs) compared to restricted hens (176.6 eggs). A similar number of laying sequences (defined as consecutive days of laying) were observed in both groups of hens; however, the mean length of the prime sequence was 24.4 d for the restricted hens compared to 14.9 d for the ad-libitum-fed hens. Ad-libitum-fed hens had a higher incidence of intersequence pauses of greater than 11 d duration compared to restricted hens. Feed restriction did not improve fertility, embryo viability, or embryo production of eggs incubated for a period of 7 d. At 62 wk of age the carcasses of the restricted-fed hens contained on average 901 g of fat while the carcasses of the ad-libitum-fed hens contained 1270 g of fat. Ad libitum feeding reduced reproductive performance by reducing the length of the prime sequence and by increasing the number of long intersequence pauses. Key words: Broiler breeder hens, full-feeding, feed restriction, obesity, reproductive performance

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The response of broiler breeder hens to dietary balanced protein

South African Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4314/sajas.v46i3.6 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 269-277 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

E. Steenhuisen ◽

R.M. Gous

Keyword(s):

Dietary Protein ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Feeding Strategies ◽

Heat Output ◽

Broiler Breeder ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Breeder Hens ◽

Energy Retention ◽

Broiler Breeder Hens ◽

Ad Libitum

Two basal feeds (118 and 175 g protein/kg) with similar balanced amino acid mixtures were appropriately blended to produce six experimental diets differing in protein. These were fed for six weeks to 180 broiler breeder hens (Ross 308) housed in individual cages from 26 w of age. A 13 h photoperiod was applied. Half the birds were restricted to 160 g of feed/d, whilst the others were fed ad libitum. The treatments were randomly allocated within six blocks. At the end of the six-week period the mean voluntary intake of the ad libitum-fed birds was 169 g/d whereas the intake of hens on feed restriction was 155 g/d. In spite of the range of protein intakes from 18.5 and 28.8 g/bird, no differences were observed in rate of laying between the two feeding strategies or dietary protein levels, nor were there differences in the proportions of yolk or albumen between these treatments. Egg weight, egg output and weight gain increased with protein intake as did energy retention (kJ/d) whereas heat output (kJ/d) decreased as protein intake increased. Even though dietary protein intake had no effect on rate of lay, the resultant decrease in heat output at high protein intakes suggests that this might be a useful strategy to consider for overcoming mild heat stress.Keywords: Ad libitum feeding, heat production, energy retention, egg composition

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