Broiler Breeder Performance in Response to Diet Protein and Energy

Abstract

Two hundred and forty Hubbard X Hubbard broiler breeders at 19 weeks of age were weight-sorted and transferred to individual laying cages where one of six experimental diets was provided to 41 weeks of age. Each diet was represented by 10 replicate groups of 4 individually caged and fed birds. Feed allocation was gradually increased to 150 g/bird per day, which provided 19 or 25 g crude protein and either 325, 385, or 450 kcal metabolizable energy (ME)/bird per day. Hens were inseminated every 7 days with .05 ml pooled semen from Hubbard males. Hen-day production was 1.6% lower with the high vs. low protein intake. Peak egg production occurred at 31 weeks and was 77.3, 87.9, and 84.1% for the low (L), medium (M), and high energy (H) intakes, respectively (P less than or equal to .01). Egg weight increased as the protein or energy intake increased; yolk content increased as energy intake increased or as broiler breeders aged (P less than or equal to .01). Carcass fat, protein, and moisture content of defeathered 41-week-old breeders were L: 45.5, 44.4, 56.6; M: 49.0, 40.4, 54.8; and H: 58.4, 32.5, 50.4, respectively (P less than or equal to .01). There were no dietary effects on hatchability, embryonic mortality, or fertility. From 32 to 35 weeks of age the higher protein intake increased egg weight by 1.2 g (P less than or equal to .05) and chick weight by .6 g; whereas hatched live chick weight was 39.6, 39.7, and 41.0, for L, M, and H diets, respectively (P less than or equal to .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative Egg Production, Fertility and Hatchability of Cobb-500, Ross and Hubbard-Hi-Yield Broiler Parent Stock in Bangladesh

“…This result is consistent with the findings of Robinson and Wilson (1996) who concluded that excessive body weight in broiler breeder female was negatively correlated with hen-day egg production. The present finding is also supported by Spralt and Leeson (1987).…”

The effect of different combinations of dietary energy and protein on the composition of ostrich eggs

“…Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), whose diets were supplemented with protein, laid larger eggs with a greater proportion of yolk and albumen protein (Williams, 1996), and it has been suggested that dietary protein may be a direct and an indirect factor influencing the allocation of lipid and protein stores in laying birds (Carey, 1996). Egg weight and yolk content of broiler breeders also increased as dietary protein and energy increased (Spratt & Leeson, 1987). In contrast, increasing the dietary amino acid and protein resulted in an increase in egg weight, but a decrease in albumen quality in laying hens (Hammershøj & Kjaer, 1998).…”

Effects of Protein in Diet and Sex Ratio on Egg Production, Egg and Hatching Chick Weight, Fertility, Hatchability and Embryonal Mortality in Pheasants (Phasianus Colchicus)

“…Likewise, many researchers reported the positive effects of dietary protein on egg weight (Gunawardana et al, 2008; King'ori et al, 2010;Shim et al, 2013). Also, Spratt & Leeson (1987) reported that an increase in egg weight and consequently in chick weight increased when protein content in isoenergetic diet was changed from 12.70% to 16.70% for broiler breeder hens. The results of this studies indicated that egg and hatching chick weight increased with increasing crude protein in isoenergetic diet.…”

“…Therefore, the relationship between egg weight and protein levels of hen diet should be taken into consideration for hatching chick weight. Spratt & Leeson (1987) reported that a reduction in egg weight and consequently in chick weight decrease when dietary protein content was reduced from 16.70% to 12.70% for broiler breeder hens.…”