Effects of two feeding regimens on laying performance of broier breeder hens

Abstract

Skip-a-day feed restriction is a commonly used management practice in rearing broiler breeder pullets. Since the quantity of feed consumed increase with the age of pullets, skip- a-day feeding can be changed into other alternate feeding methods to avoid complications such as chocking. It is advisable to change into daily feeding from alternate feeding methods at "first egg" in order to reach optimum breeder performance. This research examined whether shifting into "daily feeding" from "alternate day feeding" in a new, different and a unique manner improves subsequent egg production. Two groups of a single broiler breeder batch were selected for the study. Both groups were subjected to similar alternate day feeding regimens during rearing. At 21 weeks of age the birds were photostimulated for production. One group (Group A) was transformed into daily feeding from alternate day feeding at first egg. In this group, the lead feeding for the production was applied from the point of 5 % hen day production in the conventional manner. The other group (Group B) was maintained on alternate day feeding until it reached 23 % hen day production. Lead feeding programme for Group B, was adopted from the point of 23% production. Both groups reached peak feed allowance of 150 g/ bird! day at 50- 60% hen day production. Peak feed allowance was continued until they reached the peak production, throughout the peak period and until the weekly average production dropped below 80%. Feed withdrawal was started when weekly average production dropped below 80%. Hens in Group B with the novel feeding regimen had consumed 393 g of feed more than the hens that were in Group A, fed on conventional manner. The weekly percentage hen- day production was greater (P< 0.05) in the hens in Group B except in 38th week. Egg production per hen housed for the study period in the hens in Group B was greater (70.78 vs. 60.39) than in the hens in Group A. The hatching egg production also showed similar results, i.e. 57.5 and 69 eggs/ hen housed in Groups A and B respectively. These results suggest that although the birds consumed more feed in Group B, the novel feeding regimen is economical than the conventional feeding regimen.