Factors Affecting Broiler Breeder Performance: 2. Relationship of Daily Feed Intake to Performance of Force Molted Broiler Breeder Hens ,

Abstract

Two trials were conducted to assess the effect of several daily feed intake levels on postmolt performance of individually caged Hubbard broiler breeder hens. The levels of maximum feed intake ranged from 127.2 to 172.5 g/hen/day. The layer ration was a corn-soy diet which contained 16% protein and 2805 kcal ME/kg of diet.Egg production, egg specific gravity, egg weight, and feed conversion were assessed on the basis of seven or eight, 28-day periods. Body weight, fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, and chick weights were assessed several times during the two trials.Hens exhibited higher egg specific gravities, lower egg weights, improved feed conversions, and lower body weights as daily feed intake decreased from 172.5 to 145.2 g/hen/day. Fertility and hatchability were affected similarly by feed restriction. Feed intake levels below 145.2 g/hen/day failed to elicit further improvement in the above parameters but did decrease egg production.