Effect of Feed Restriction Using Self-Restricting Diets on Subsequent Performance of Broiler Breeder Females

Abstract

Two qualitative feed restriction methods were compared in terms of feed intake regulation, pullet growth, and subsequent reproductive performance in broiler breeder hens. Three-week-old female chicks were physically feed-restricted, provided ad libitum access to diets supplemented with or without propionic acid (30 g/kg), or fed a diet composed of barley as the main amino acid source. The incorporation of propionic acid alone to a low-energy diet significantly inhibited voluntary feed intake. However, after 10 wk of ad libitum consumption, dietary propionate supplementation proved less effective in controlling pullet growth than conventional feed restriction. The barley diet was more effective than physical feed restriction in limiting body weight gain. No negative side effects were observed in the feed-restricted birds, except for a slight increase in the coefficient of variation in BW during the growing period. No significant differences in egg production between the self-restricted and physically restricted control birds were measured during the study. Egg weights from birds fed the barley diet were lowest throughout the experimental period and were accompanied by lower ME intake per kilogram of metabolic body weight.