Evaluation of nutrient specifications for broiler breeders

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Poultry Nutrition
• Avian Reproduction

Background:

• Current nutrient requirements for broiler breeders are established.
• Potential for excess nutrient levels during the laying period exists.
• Optimizing breeder nutrition impacts reproductive efficiency and progeny performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if current nutrient requirements for broiler breeders are excessive.
• To determine the impact of reduced nutrient intake on reproductive parameters.
• To establish revised nutrient recommendations for broiler breeders.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments utilized Cobb broiler breeders (color-sex and feather-sex).
• Birds were fed varying percentages (80.9% to 100%) of suggested nutrient requirements.
• Egg production, fertility, hatchability, egg weight, shell quality, and progeny growth were assessed.

Main Results:

• Reductions in nutrient intake did not significantly affect egg production, fertility, or hatchability.
• Egg weight and shell quality remained unaffected by dietary treatments.
• Broiler progeny weights at 49 days were not significantly impacted by breeder diet modifications.
• Body weight in breeders tended to decrease with nutrient restriction.

Conclusions:

• Established broiler breeder nutrient requirements possess a significant margin of safety.
• Nutrient specifications can potentially be reduced by approximately 10%.
• Revised daily nutrient intakes are proposed, including protein, sulfur amino acids, calcium, and phosphorus.