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The Effects of 20-Week Body Weight and Feed Allocation During Early Lay on Female Broiler Breeders

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

J. L. Wilson

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

Correspondence: F. E. Robinson

Seventy-five broiler breeder pullets provided evidences of variability in 20-wk body weight and feed allocation in early lay. Birds reared to 20 wk of age were sorted into five body weight groups (96%, 98%, 100%, 102%, and 105% of the recommended 20-wk target). Three treatment groups, formed based on the level of feed allocation during the early laying period, began at 24 wk of age. The control treatment was a relatively linear growth curve. Other treatments included an "Early Slow" program characterized by slow growth after 24 wk of age and an "Early Fast" program which consisted of above normal body weights early in lay. The heaviest birds (105%) performed the best in terms of egg production and chick production. It is hypothesized that the smaller weight birds were fed in excess of their maintenance requirements, and hence developed weight-related reproductive problems. The larger birds were not over-fed and were able to sustain higher rates of productivity. The Early Fast treatment group resulted in significantly lower egg production, hatchability, and chick production in comparison to Early Slow hens. This limited study reinforces the statement that broiler breeder pullets are very sensitive to overfeeding during the pre-lay and early laying periods.

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