The influence of feeding program on peak production and avoiding sudden declines in production with broiler breeders.
Production parameters were examined for 49 commercial broiler breeder flocks. Data from the flocks were divided into two groups based on whether or not an adequate increase in body weight was maintained through peak production. Hens making steady and adequate weight gains peaked at a significantly higher rate of egg production and maintained a rate of 80% egg production or above for ten times longer than those with inadequate gains. The hens making adequate gains maintained 70% or above for almost twice as long as those with inadequate gain.
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D010058:Oviposition