The influence of a twice-a-day feeding regimen after photostimulation on the reproductive performance of broiler breeder hens.
Broiler breeder hens are typically provided a restricted amount of feed once a day. This feed is rapidly consumed; therefore, the hens fast for an extended period of time before their next feeding. In the current research, the effects on reproductive performance of implementing a twice-a-day vs. a once-a-day feeding program after photostimulation were investigated. Pullets and cockerels were reared on a skip-a-day feeding program. Pullets were weighed at 20 wk of age and then distributed into 30 laying pens such that each pen had a similar BW distribution. Each individual laying pen consisted of 35 hens and 4 roosters. At 21 wk of age, the birds were photostimulated for reproduction and 15 of the laying pens were placed on a once-a-day feeding schedule, whereas the other 15 pens were placed on a twice-a-day feeding schedule. The total amount of feed provided per day to all the laying pens was the same. Birds fed once a day received all their feed at 0630 h, whereas birds fed twice a day received 60% of their total feed allotment at 0630 h and the other 40% at 1500 h. Even though both treatment groups began egg production at the end of wk 23, birds fed twice a day laid more (P < or = 0.05) eggs through 42 wk of age than those fed once a day. Additionally, the average egg weight for the entire production period, which lasted until the birds were 60 wk of age, was greater for hens fed twice a day. Overall BW uniformity for the entire experiment was significantly better for hens fed twice a day vs. once a day. However, cumulative mortality was significantly higher for hens fed twice a day than for those fed once a day. The results indicate that feeding broiler breeder hens twice a day after photostimulation may enhance reproductive performance during the early lay period.
Spradley
J M
JM
Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-2772, USA.
Freeman
M E
ME
Wilson
J L
JL
Davis
A J
AJ
D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011897:Random Allocation; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain