Market Age Live Weight, Carcass Yield, and Liver Characteristics of Broiler Offspring from Breeder Hens Fed Diets Differing in Fat and Energy Contents ,

Abstract

The effects of energy level, fat type, and fat level in breeder hen diets on subsequent offspring market age live BW, carcass yield, and liver characteristics from breeder hens at 29 and 36 wk of age were evaluated. At 22 wk of age, six dietary treatments were imposed. Dietary treatments contained: 1) 3.0%, added poultry fat (PF) and 467 (high energy) kcal/hen per day at peak production (CPP), 2) no added fat and high energy, 3) 3.0% added PF and 430 (low energy) CPP, 4) no added fat and low energy, 5) 1.5% added PF and 449 (moderate energy) CPP, and 6) 3.0% added corn oil (CO) and moderate energy. Breeder age influenced Day 43 broiler live BW, percentage total carcass and front-half yields, and liver moisture contents. Furthermore, wet and dry liver weights were higher in female broilers compared to those of male broilers from 29-wk-old breeder hens. Live BW was higher in broilers from hens fed low-energy diets compared with moderate-energy diets and 3.0% compared to 1.5% PF diets. Percentage liver DM was higher in females compared to male broilers from hens fed 3.0% CO and moderate energy and was highest in male and female broilers from hens fed 1.5% PF and moderate energy. Percentage wet liver weight and liver DM were higher and liver moisture content was lower in broilers from hens fed 1.5% compared to 3.0% PF diets. Overall, energy and fat levels in breeder diets had subsequent influences on market age weight and liver characteristics of broilers.