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Effects of Feed Allocation on Female Broiler Breeders

Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

F. E. Robinson, N. A. Robinson and R. T. Hardin

Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; Phone: (403) 492-3234; FAX: (403) 492-9130

Correspondence: F. E. Robinson

The objective of this study was to determine if feed allotment during rearing had an impact on the reproductive performance of cage-housed broiler breeders. Broiler breeder pullets were reared on one of three feed allocation programs to result in divergent body weight curves from 1 to 24 wk of age. All three feed allocation regimens were within the range of commercial practice. The treatments included 1) a conventional, relatively linear growth curve (Standard), 2) and "Early Slow" program characterized by slow growth rates during the early rearing period followed by a more generous feed allocation after 19 wk, and 3) an "Early Fast" program with body weights above normal early in rearing, followed by more conservative body weight gains late in rearing. The Early Slow feed allocation program resulted in fewer settable eggs and hatched chicks than the Standard and Early Fast programs. There was a tendency for birds reared on the Early Slow program to commence lay with reduced carcass protein levels.

Key Words: Broiler breeders • carcass composition • egg production • hatchability

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