Effects of altering growth curve and age at photostimulation in female broiler breeders. 2. Egg production parameters

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Renema ◽  
F. E. Robinson ◽  
P. R. Goerzen ◽  
M. J. Zuidhof
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curve ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Sequence Length ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Production Parameters ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Egg Production Rate

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of differences in growth curve and age at photostimulation on egg production parameters and carcass traits at 61 wk of age in broiler breeder hens. Pullets were grown on one of three growth curves: STD (standard), LOW (150g lighter than STD) and HIGH (150 g heavier than STD ), and photostimulated at either 19 wk of age (19WK) or 21 wk of age (21WK). The egg production and BW of 36 birds per interaction were individually monitored from photostimulation to 61 wk of age. Individual, daily egg production records were analyzed for total, settable, and defective egg production, rate of production, sequence length, and egg weight. Eggs were incubated for determination of fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality parameters. All birds remaining at 61 wk of age were processed for determination of carcass and reproductive morphology. Unless otherwise stated, all significance was assessed at the P < 0.05 level.

Effects of altering growth curve and age at photostimulation in female broiler breeders. 1. Reproductive development

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Renema ◽  
F. E. Robinson ◽  
P. R. Goerzen
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curve ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Carcass Parameters ◽  
Ovarian Morphology ◽  
Plasma Estradiol ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of differences in growth curve and age at photostimulation on carcass traits and ovarian morphology in broiler breeder hens at photostimulation and at sexual maturity. Pullets were grown on one of three growth curves STD (standard), LOW (150 g lighter than STD) and HIGH (150 g heavier than STD), and were photostimulated at either 19 wk of age (19WK) or 21 wk of age (21WK). Weekly blood samples were taken between photostimulation and sexual maturity for determination of estradiol-17β concentration. Twelve birds per interaction were processed at photostimulation for determination of carcass and reproductive morphology, followed by an additional 10 birds per interaction at sexual maturity. Unless otherwise stated, all significance was assessed at the P < 0.05 level. At photostimulation, the HIGH birds were larger and had more carcass lipid (7.44%) than the LOW birds (6.22%). By sexual maturity, carcass lipid as a percentage of BW was similar among the growth curve groups, as were the weights of most carcass parameters measured relative to BW. The large yellow follicle content of ovaries from LOW, STD, and HIGH birds were not different. Ovaries from HIGH birds had 48.2% of large yellow follicles arranged in multiple sets (large yellow follicles weighing within 1 g) compared to 29.5% in STD birds. Birds photostimulated earlier took longer to lay their first egg after photostimulation (19WK = 41.3 d, 21WK = 35.1 d), although this still occurred at a younger age (19WK = 174.3 d of age, 21W K = 182.1 d of age). The profile of plasma estradiol-17β concentration of the 19WK birds appeared to increase more slowly than for the 21WK pullets. As plasma estradiol-17β concentration will increase at a regular rate once it begins to increase, the flatter summary profile of 19WK pullets may be indicative of a less-uniform response to photostimulation. Based on the BW growth curves used in this trial and data collected at photostimulation and sexual maturity, there was no advantage of early photostimulation, and ovarian morphology may be negatively affected by moderate increases in rearing growth curve. Key words: Broiler breeder, sexual maturity, ovarian morphology, growth curve, body weight

scholarly journals Modelling the egg components and laying patterns of broiler breeder hens

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayara T. Ferreira ◽  
Nilva K. Sakomura ◽  
Juliano César de Paula Dorigam ◽  
Edney Pereira da Silva ◽  
Robert M. Gous
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Broiler Breeders ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Reproductive Process ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens

There is scant information about the reproductive process in broiler breeders, with which to develop a feeding strategy that will be economically optimal for these birds. This study aimed to model the egg production of a flock of broiler breeder hens, using non-isometric equations. The number of eggs produced by 60 broiler breeder hens aged 24–60 weeks was monitored, as was the weight of these eggs and the weights of the components, yolk, albumen and shell. Oviposition sequences and the number and length of pauses between sequences were analysed. Non-isometric functions were applied to predict the weight of the egg; yolk weight was predicted from the age of the hen, while albumen and shell weights were predicted from yolk weight; and egg weight was obtained by summing the component weights. The incidence of soft-shelled and double-yolk eggs was also determined. Yolk weight (YW, g) can be described as YW = 18.03 × (1 – e–0.015 × (t – 103.4)) × e(0.001 × t), where t is the age of the bird (days). The weights of albumen (AW) and shell (SW) were based on YW predictions as follows: AW = 14.38 × YW0.375 and SW = 0.358 × (YW + AW)0.687. The rate of double-yolk egg (DY) production is described by DY = 2.28 × e(0.209 × TFE), and the rate of soft-shelled egg (SS) production by SS = 1.126 + 0.148/(1 – 0.024 × TFE) – 0.056 × TFE, as a function of time from first egg (TFE). On the basis of the results obtained, the model developed here is an accurate reflection of the changes that occur in the number of eggs produced by broiler breeders, as well as in the egg itself and in its components over the entire laying period. This model can thus be used in predicting the nutrient requirements of individual broiler breeder hens, which, when combined with simulated data from a large number of individuals, will accurately describe the laying performance of a flock of broiler breeders.

scholarly journals Short-term consequences of a sudden increase in feed allowance in broiler breeder hens

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Robinson ◽  
M. W. Yu ◽  
M. E. Lupicki ◽  
R. T. Hardin
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Liver Fat ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

The immediate effects of a sudden increase in feed allowance on selected morphological and reproductive traits were investigated in broiler breeder hens at 44 wk of age. Fifty Indian River hens were individually caged at 40 wk of age. Prior to 40 wk of age the birds had been feed restricted in accordance with the breeder's recommended feeding program. Five treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) of 10 birds each were formed based on level of feeding and duration of exposure to such feeding. T1, T2 and T3 birds were feed restricted (128 g of daily feed bird−1) from 40 to 44, 40 to 45 and 40 to 46 wk of age, respectively. T4 and T5 birds were also feed restricted at the same level as the other groups to 44 wk of age and then were full fed from 44 to 45 and 44 to 46 wk of age, respectively. To facilitate study of follicular recruitment and yolk deposition, hens were fed 10 g of oil-soluble red and black dyes, daily, on alternate days, beginning at 42 wk of age. Birds were killed on day 0 (44 wk; T1), day 7 (45 wk; T2, T4), or day 14 (46 wk; T3, T5). Full-fed hens consumed approximately 100 g more feed per day than did feed-restricted hens, with marked increases in feed intake on the first day of full feeding. After 7 d of ad libitum feeding, significant increases were seen in body weight, liver weight, percent liver fat, plasma lipid concentration, ovary weight, and the incidence of a double hierarchy (simultaneous development) of large follicles. After 14 d of ad libitum feeding, significant increases were also observed in absolute fat-pad weight, individual weights of the four largest preovulatory follicles and number of large preovulatory follicles. The increased number of large follicles in the ovary was not associated with any change in egg production. It is apparent that the morphological disruptions associated with overfeeding broiler breeder hens can be identified within 7 d of full feeding, while any effects on egg production are not seen within the first 14 d of ad libitum feeding. Key words: Broiler breeder, feed intake, yolk deposition, ovarian morphology, egg production

scholarly journals Productive performance of broiler breeder hens fed 25-hydroxycholecalciferol

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1286-1290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cibele Araujo Torres ◽  
Sergio Luiz Vieira ◽  
Renata Nuernberg Reis ◽  
André Klein Ferreira ◽  
Pedro Xavier da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D3 ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Embryo Mortality ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Egg Shells ◽  
25 Hydroxycholecalciferol

An experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating the addition of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH) D3) in diets of broiler breeder hens. The experiment used Cobb 500 broiler breeder hens and was allotted to a complete randomized design with four treatments and eight replications of twenty females and two males each. The treatments consisted of vitamin premixes with 2,000 and 3,400 IU/kg diet vitamin D3 as the only source of vitamin or 2,000 IU D3 plus 35 or 69 mg/t of 25(OH) D3. Results of this experiment indicated that 25(OH) D3 had no significant effect on egg production parameters from 32 to 67 weeks. The supplementation of 25(OH) D3 resulted in better quality egg shells evaluated by the specific gravity at 60 weeks of age, regardless of the dosage. No significant differences were observed for hatchability of broiler breeder fertile eggs at 54 and 64 weeks. At 64 weeks, the hatch residue breakout showed less embryo mortality at the third week for treatments receiving 2,000 UI D3 in the diet and less embryo mortality at the second week of development from hens aged 67 weeks and supplemented with 2,000IU D3 and 2,000IU D3+ 69 mg 25(OH)D3. It was concluded that the supplementation with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol with cholecalciferol had similar effects as the diets with vitamin D3 as the only source on the productive performance of broiler breeder hens.

scholarly journals Dynamics of nutrient utilization, heat production, and body composition in broiler breeder hens during egg production

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (8) ◽  
pp. 2845-2853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justina V. Caldas ◽  
Katie Hilton ◽  
Nirun Boonsinchai ◽  
Judith A. England ◽  
Andy Mauromoustakos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Heat Production ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens

scholarly journals Ad Libitum Feeding in Broiler Breeder Hens Alters the Transcriptome of Granulosa Cells of Pre-Hierarchal Follicles

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2706
Author(s):  
Laurie Francoeur ◽  
Claire S. Stephens ◽  
Patricia A. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Differential Expression Analysis ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Follicle Selection ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

Intense selective breeding of chickens has resulted in suboptimal egg production in broiler breeder hens. This reproductive phenotype is exacerbated by ad libitum feeding, which leads to excessive and disorganized follicular growth. One strategy used to improve broiler breeder hens’ reproductive efficiency is restricted feeding. In this study, we sought to identify transcriptional changes, which translate the level of dietary intake into increased follicle selection. Broiler breeder hens (n = 16 per group) were raised according to commercial guidelines until 28 weeks of age and then randomly assigned to an ad libitum diet (FF) or continued on a restricted diet (RF) for 6 weeks. Following dietary treatment, FF hens (n = 2) with excessive follicle selection and RF hens (n = 3) with normal follicle selection were selected for RNA-sequencing. Transcriptomes of granulosa cells from 6–8-mm follicles were sequenced to identify transcriptional differences in the follicle population from which selection was made for the preovulatory stage. Differential expression analysis identified several genes known to play a role in follicle development (CYP11A1, STAR, INHA, and INHBB) that are upregulated in FF hens. These changes in gene expression suggest earlier granulosa cell differentiation and steroidogenic competency in the granulosa layer from FF hens.

scholarly journals Laying pattern parameters in broiler breeder hens and intrasequence changes in egg composition

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 428-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gumulka ◽  
E. Kapkowska ◽  
D. Maj
Keyword(s):  
Egg Quality ◽  
Shape Index ◽  
Sequence Length ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Weight Percentage ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Dark Regime ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Egg Components ◽  
Production Period

The aim of the study was to analyze the pattern of oviposition time in laying sequences in broiler breeder hens and to determine a relationship between egg position in the sequence and egg quality. The sequences were described using mean oviposition time (hour) within a sequence, mean lag of oviposition time between successive ovipositions, and mean and cumulative lag of oviposition for a sequence. Egg weight, percentage of egg components and shape index were determined for successive eggs in a sequence. The 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- to 6- and 7- to 9-egg sequences were considered. The light/dark regime was 16 h/8 h (05:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m.). Hens laid the first egg in a sequence about 3.5 h after the beginning of the photoperiod. With increasing sequence length, the first egg was laid sooner after the beginning of the photoperiod and the intervals between successive ovipositions shortened. This suggests that when planning the frequency of egg collection in a flock of broiler breeder hens, one should account for changes in the egg sequence length during the production period. No significant relationship between egg position in the sequence and quality of egg components was observed.

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