Reproductive activity of broiler hens subjected to restricted feeding during rearing

Restricting the food intake of broiler hens during the rearing phase resulted in a 10% improvement in the rate of lay of hatchable eggs compared with fully fed controls. 2. The restricted hens had longer, heavier oviducts, a faster rate of growth of ovarian follicles and a greater spread of oviposition times throughout the day. 3. It is suggested that these changes may explain the persistence of improved production after compensatory weight gain, even into a second production year.