Effects of Breeder Dietary Fat and Eggshell Cuticle Removal on Subsequent Broiler Growout Performance

Abstract

Broiler breeder hens were fed isocaloric diets containing one of three different types and levels of added fat. Eggs collected when hens were 52 and 62 wk of age were either left intact or were washed to remove the eggshell cuticle prior to set. Chicks hatched from each breeder diet and eggshell cuticle treatment were reared through 22 days to assess effects on broiler performance. An increase in feed consumption in broilers from 52-wk-old breeders was associated with cuticle removal. It was concluded that eggshell cuticle removal in eggs from hens during post-peak production may lead to subsequent increases in feed consumption of broiler offspring.