Reproductive performance, growth rate and body composition of full-fed versus feed-restricted 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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Short-term consequences of a sudden increase in feed allowance in broiler breeder hens

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas93-015 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 159-167 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

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

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

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11092706 ◽

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.

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Reproductive performance, growth rate and body composition of broiler breeder hens differing in body weight at 21 weeks of age

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas91-145 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 71 (4) ◽

pp. 1223-1231 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

F. E. Robinson ◽

N. A. Robinson

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Body Weight ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

High Weight ◽

Embryo Viability ◽

Broiler Breeder ◽

Breeder Hens ◽

Low Weight ◽

Broiler Breeder Hens ◽

Medium Weight

The effects of variation in body weight at 21 weeks of age on subsequent growth rate, body composition and reproductive performance were studied in broiler breeder hens from 22 to 62 weeks of age. Pullets were sorted into three groups on the basis of body weight (low, medium and high) at 21 weeks of age. Pullets of the low-weight group contained a greater percentage of carcass water and less carcass fat at 22 weeks of age than did the medium- and high-weight pullets, and less carcass protein than the high-weight birds. The relative difference in body weight between the three groups of hens was maintained to 62 weeks of age, the high-weight hens being heavier than the low- and medium-weight hens at the end of the study. The low-weight birds began to lay later than the medium- and high-weight pullets. The low- and medium-weight birds were lighter in weight compared to the high-weight pullets at sexual maturity. Total egg output was lower in the low-weight hens than in the medium- and high-weight hens. No difference was seen in sequence and intersequence pause parameters or in fertility, embryo viability or embryo production between the three groups of hens. On a percentage basis, there were no differences in body composition between groups of birds at 62 weeks of age. It was concluded that pullets which are underweight at 21 weeks of age exhibit a poorer production record than do pen-mates which are of normal or greater than normal body weight. Key words: Broiler breeder hens, egg production, body weight, body composition, sequence length, fertility, embryo viability

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