Low Lysine, Low Protein, and Skip-a-day Restriction of Summer and Winter Reared Broiler Breeder Pullets

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Pullets were reared under two conditions of environment and fed diets which were first limiting in the essential amino acid lysine. During physiological parameters of decreasing daylength and hot ambient temperature, the sexual maturity of pullets was delayed most effectively by the use of the skip-a-day feeding program, and treatment effects on sexual maturity influenced reproductive performance. During physiological conditions of increasing daylength and cool ambient temperature, the sexual maturity of pullets was delayed most effectively by the low lysine feeding program, but no significant differences due to treatment were observed after these hens came into production.Body weight of pullets at sexual maturity is the most critical physiological parameter for an effective restriction program. All dietary restriction methods tested in these experiments can be used to successfully control growth and sexual maturity of pullets. Eggs from summer reared pullets were 2 g. larger than those from winter reared pullets.