Effect of Broiler Breeder Nutrition on Reproductive and Offspring Performance
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Abstract
The effects of broiler breeder dietary energy and protein during rearing and dietary energy level of lay diets on egg composition, offspring performance and carcass yield were evaluated. Pullets were fed a diet containing high ME (2,736 kcal/kg; HEREAR), or low ME (2,528 kcal/kg; LEREAR) combined with either high protein (15.3% CP; HPREAR) or low protein (13.7% CP; LPREAR). During lay birds were fed either a high ME (2,900 kcal/kg; HELAY), or low ME (2,800 kcal/kg; LELAY) diet. For 28 wk old hens, a higher protein intake per unit of hen metabolic BW resulted in higher progeny BW only in the female progeny. Carcass yield of broiler progeny was lower when energy to protein ratio in maternal diet decreased upon transition from rearing to laying diet. For 35 wk old hens, effect on offspring BW was transient, higher maternal nutrient intake (feed, protein, energy) during rearing reduced progeny carcass yield.