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Broiler Breeder Diet for Early Sexual Maturity and Post-Peak Weight Control

Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611; Phone: (352) 392-1932; FAX: (352) 392-3047

Correspondence: R. H. Harms

Arbor Acres FY pullets were given different daily energy allowances from 16 to 25 wk, which resulted in body weight differences at 25 wk. The program that produced the heaviest pullets also yielded the earliest sexual maturity and highest egg production to 30 wk. After this age there was no difference in performance among the three treatments.

From 36 to 52 wk the pullets were placed on one of three daily energy allowances (405, 550, and 475 kcal/day). Performance of hens given a daily allowance of 405 or 440 kcal/day was better than that of hens given 475 kcal/day. During a very hot day mortality was 1, 2, and 10 hens for the 405, 440, and 475 kcal daily allowances, respectively.

Key Words: Broiler breeder • egg production • heat tolerance