The effects of feeding management on growth and production of broiler breeder females /
One thousand and forty day-old Ross-208 broiler breeder females were used to study the effects of feeding management and caloric intake on growth, body conformation, resulting egg production and fatigability. Feed delivery methods during the 21 week growing period were the standard skip-a-day (SAD)...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1999.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=730293941&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | One thousand and forty day-old Ross-208 broiler breeder females were used to study the effects of feeding management and caloric intake on growth, body conformation, resulting egg production and fatigability. Feed delivery methods during the 21 week growing period were the standard skip-a-day (SAD) feeding, where the daily feed allowance was doubled, and fed on alternating days, and a 4/3 program that took the week's feed allowance and divided it into four equal feedings disbursed on four feeding days with no more than one fasting day between feedings. Within the SAD feeding method, two treatments consisted of either the breeder standard caloric intake or a 12.6% reduction of caloric intake through the first 12 weeks of feeding. The 4/3 feeding method treatments consisted of either the breeder standard caloric intake or a 12.1% increase in caloric intake through the first 12 weeks of feeding. From week 13 through 21 in the grower period and throughout the entire lay period, all birds received the breeder standard caloric intake. While body weights were significantly different for each treatment during the first 25 weeks of life, body weight on the 25th week was not significantly different. Birds receiving the breeder standard caloric intake had growth patterns closely in line with weight profiles detailed by the primary breeder. Coefficient of variation for body weight ranged between 8 to 10%. Primary feather growth was significantly slower in the reduced calorie SAD treatment. The 4/3 system of feeding was comparable to SAD feeding at the same caloric intake level. Hatch of fertile eggs was significantly greater in the 4/3 method - standard energy treatment versus the SAD method - reduced energy treatment. An economic analysis found that the 4/3 feeding system was comparable to the SAD system at the same energy levels, and that a maximal profit of $0.093/hen housed for 46 weeks by using a 4/3 method - standard energy treatment over that of the 4/3 method - high energy treatment during the grower period. Total caloric intake appears to be a better indicator of broiler breeder performance than feed delivery method. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Poultry Science". |
| Physical Description: | xii, 99 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-76). |