| Abstract: | Two studies were carried out to determine the effects of varying the lysine level and the feeding regimes of broiler-breeder replacement pullets during the growing season on body weights, delay in sexual maturity and subsequent reproductive performance of the pullets. The feeding of .32 to .64% lysine rations to broiler-breeder pullets from the beginning of the 7th through the 22nd or 26th week resulted in pullets that were improved in performance over pullets that were fed rations containing .70 or .75% lysine for the same periods of time (full-fed). The pullets fed the low-lysine rations weighed less, were delayed in sexual maturity, were increased in egg production and were decreased in the number of small eggs laid at the beginning of the laying season when compared to the full-fed pullets. ... |
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