Constant photoperiods and sexual maturity in broiler breeder pullets.
1. Broiler breeder pullets were maintained on 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14- or 16-h photoperiods to determine the effect of constant photoperiods on sexual development in broiler breeders. The birds were fed to achieve a 2100 g body weight at approximately 17 or 20 weeks to see if the photosexual response was modified by rate of growth. 2. In both body weight groups, pullets maintained on 10h were the first to reach sexual maturity (50 eggs/100 bird-d), and these and the 11-h pullets matured significantly earlier than any of the other photoperiod groups. Pullets maintained on 13 or 14 h matured latest, at about 3 weeks after the 10-h pullets, though both were only marginally later than the 12- or 16-h birds. These differences in maturation probably reflect the different rates at which photorefractoriness is dissipated in broiler breeders reared on photoperiods that vary in their degree of stimulatory competence. 3. There were no significant interactions among the photoperiods and the ages at 2100 g; faster-growing birds consistently matured about 10 d earlier than conventionally grown pullets.
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Animal and Poultry Science, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa. peter.lewis@dsl.pipex.com
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D000367:Age Factors; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D010058:Oviposition; D017440:Photoperiod; D012741:Sexual Maturation