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Egg Weight and Offspring Performance of Older Broiler Breeders Fed Low-Protein Diets

Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada; Phone: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 3681; FAX: (519) 836-9873

Correspondence: Steve Leeson

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of low dietary protein on egg weight and subsequent offspring performance of 58-wk-old broiler breeders. Caged birds were fed diets containing four different levels (9,11, 13 or 15%) of crude protein (CP) providing 13, 16, 19, or 22g CP intake/bird/day for a four week period. Diets were isoenergetic and contained similar levels of methionine and lysine (0.38% and 0.90%, respectively). Hens were artificially inseminated with pooled semen. Egg weight was lower (P<. 01) for birds fed 9 or 11% CP. This effect was reflected in lower chick weight at hatching: after 49 days of growth, however, the difference was no longer apparent. No effects attributable to protein intake were observed on egg production, body weight, or hatchability of fertile eggs. No difference was observed in composition of eggs of similar size.

Key Words: Amino acids • broiler breeders • chick performance • chick weight • egg composition • egg weight • hatchability • proteins

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