Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T12:17:48.226Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Defining normal: comparison of feed restriction and full feeding of female broiler breeders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

R.A. Renema  and
F.E. Robinson
R.A. Renema*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T5G 2P5
F.E. Robinson
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T5G 2P5
*
*Corresponding author: e-mail: robert.renema@ualberta.ca
Get access

Abstract

Genetic selection for growth parameters in broiler stocks has created parent stocks that are unable to self-regulate feed intake to a level that permits reproductive function. Modern broiler breeders are feed restricted to limit the incidence of reproductive disorders and excessive body weight gain. A high degree of feed restriction is common during the pullet phase, which has been identified as a welfare issue. This paper examines the productive and welfare implications of feed restriction in modern breeders and the implications of returning to ad libitum (AL) feeding conditions. Feed restricted hens are compared to ALfed hens to demonstrate the full range in potential results from eliminating or reducing the degree of feed restriction in broiler breeder management. Both full feeding and restricted feeding programmes impact bird welfare. The contrast of these methods is intended to provide background information for the development of a definition of what a normal or appropriate growth profile is for broiler breeders. The implications of overfeeding on the well-being of the birds make current feed restriction programmes the more welfare-friendly alternative, despite apparent drawbacks.

Keywords

broiler breederfeed restrictionad libitum feedingreproductionanimal welfare
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 60 , Issue 4 , December 2004 , pp. 508 - 522
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Akiba, Y., Jenson, L.S., Barb, C.R. and Kraeling, R.R. (1982) Plasma estradiol, thyroid hormones, and liver lipid content in laying hens fed different isocaloric diets. Journal of Nutrition 112: 299–308.Google Scholar
Asmundson, V.S. and Lerner, I.M. (1933) Inheritance of rate of growth in domestic fowl II. Genetic variation in growth of Leghorns. Poultry Science 12: 250–255.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Asmundson, V.S. and Lerner, I.M. (1934) Inheritance of rate of growth in domestic fowl III. Comparative rates of growth in Leghorns and Rocks. Poultry Science 13: 348–352.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bacon, W.L., Leclercq, B. and Blum, J.C. (1978) The influence of three days or three weeks of force feeding on the transport of plasma lipids in young female chickens (Gallus Gallus L.). Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology-B: Comparative Biochemistry 59: 203–206.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barbato, G.F., Cherry, J.A., Siegel, P.B. and Van Krey, H.P. (1980) Quantitative analysis of the feeding behaviour of four populations of chickens. Physiology & Behaviour 25: 885–891.Google Scholar
Barbato, G.F., Siegel, P.B., Cherry, J.A. and Nir, I. (1984) Selection for body weight at eight weeks of age. 17. Overfeeding. Poultry Science 63: 11–18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bilgili, S.F. and Renden, J.A. (1985) Relationship of body fat to fertility in broiler breeder hens. Poultry Science 64: 1394–1396.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bokkers, E.A.M. and Koene, P. (2003) Eating behaviour, and preprandial and postprandial correlation in male broiler and layer chickens. British Poultry Science 44: 538–544.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bronson, F.H. and Manning, J.M. (1991) The energetic regulation of ovulation: A realistic role for body fat. Biology of Reproduction 44: 945–950.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bruggeman, V., D'Hondt, E., Berghmen, L., Onagbesan, O., Vanmontfort, D., Vandesande, F. and Decuypere, E. (1998a) The effect of food intake from 2 to 24 weeks of age on LHRH-I content in the median eminence and gonadotrophin levels in pituitary and plasma in female broiler breeder chickens. General and Comparative Endocrinology 112: 200–209.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bruggeman, V., Onagbesan, O., D'Hondt, E., Buys, N., Safi, M., Vanmontfort, D., Berghmen, L., Vandesande, F. and Decuypere, E. (1999) Effects of timing and duration of feed restriction during rearing on reproductive characteristics in broiler breeder females. Poultry Science 78: 1424–1434.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bruggeman, V., Onagbesan, O., Vanmontfort, D., Berghmen, L., Verhoeven, G. and Decuypere, E. (1998b) The effect of long-term food restriction on pituitary sensitivity to cLHRH-I in broiler breeder females. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 114: 267–276.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cheema, M.A., Quereshi, M.A. and Havenstein, G.B. (2003) A comparison of the immune performance of a 2001 commercial broiler with a 1957 randombred broiler strain when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets. Poultry Science 82: 1519–1529.Google Scholar
Chen, S.E. and Walzem, R. (2003) Increased feed intake in broiler breeder hens enhances saturation of yolk precursor lipoprotein fatty acids in association with reproductive dysfunction. Poultry Science 82(Suppl. 1): 74.Google Scholar
Decuypere, E., Leenstra, F., Huybrechts, L.M., Feng, P.Y., Arnouts, S., Herremans, M. and Nys, M. (1993) Selection for weight gain or food conversion in broilers affects the progesterone production capacity of large follicles in the reproductive adult breeders. British Poultry Science 34: 543–522.Google Scholar
Denbow, D.M. (1994) Appetite and its control. Poultry Science Reviews 5: 209–229.Google Scholar
Dransfield, E. and Sosnicki, A.A. (1999) Relationship between muscle growth and poultry meat quality. Poultry Science 78: 743–746.Google Scholar
Dunn, I.C., Sharp, P.J. and Hocking, P.M. (1986) Effect of supplementary dietary fat on the maturation of the photoperiodic response in food-restricted dwarf broiler breeder hens. British Poultry Science 27: 497.Google Scholar
Emmerson, D.A. (1997) Commercial approaches to genetic selection for growth and feed conversion in domestic poultry. Poultry Science 76: 1121–1125.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Etches, R.J. (1990) The ovulatory cycle of the hen. CRC Critical Reviews in Poultry Biolology 2: 293–318.Google Scholar
Etches, R.J. (1996) Reproduction in Poultry. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon.Google Scholar
Etches, R.J., Petitte, J.N. and Anderson-Langmuir, C.E. (1984) Interrelationships between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovary, adrenal gland, and the open period for LH release in the hen (Gallus domesticus). Journal of Experimental Zoology 232: 501–511.Google Scholar
Fasenko, G.M., Hardin, R.T., Robinson, F.E. and Wilson, J.L. (1992) Relationship between hen age and egg sequence position with fertility, viability, and preincubation embryonic development in broiler breeders. Poultry Science 71: 1374–1383.Google Scholar
Goerzen, P.R., Julsrud, W.L. and Robinson, F.E. (1996) Duration of fertility in ad libitum and feedrestricted caged broiler breeders. Poultry Science 75: 962–965.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Griffin, A.M., Robinson, F.E., Renema, R.A., Korver, D.R. and Zuidhof, M.J. (2002) The influence of rearing day-length and diet density on body weight of 6 wk-old broiler breeders. Poultry Science 81 (Suppl. 1): 4.Google Scholar
Gyles, N.R. (1989) Poultry, people and progress. Poultry Science 68: 1–8.Google Scholar
Havenstein, G.B., Ferket, P.R. and Qureshi, M.A. (2003a) Growth, livability, and feed conversion of 1957 versus 2001 broilers when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets. Poultry Science 82: 1500–1508.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Havenstein, G.B., Ferket, P.R. and Qureshi, M.A. (2003b) Carcass composition and yield of 1957 versus 2001 broilers when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets. Poultry Science 82: 1509–1518.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hocking, P.M. (1993) Welfare of broiler breeder and layer females subjected to food and water control during rearing: Quantifying the degree of restriction. British Poultry Science 34: 53–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hocking, P.M. (1996) Role of body weight and food intake after photostimulation on ovarian function at first egg in broiler breeder females. British Poultry Science 37: 841–851.Google Scholar
Hocking, P.M. and Whitehead, C.C. (1990) Relationship between body fatness, ovarian structure and reproduction immature females from lines of genetically lean or fat broilers given different food allowances. British Poultry Science 31: 319–330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hocking, P.M., Bernard, R. and Robertson, G.W. (2002a) Effects of low dietary protein and different allocation of food during rearing and restricted feeding after peak rate of lay on egg production, fertility and hatchability in female broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 43: 94–103.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hocking, P.M., Gilbert, A.B., Walker, M. and Waddington, D. (1987) Ovarian follicular structure of White Leghorns fed ad libitum and dwarf and normal broiler breeder pullets fed ad libitum or restricted until point of lay. British Poultry Science 28: 495–506.Google Scholar
Hocking, P.M., Maxwell, M.H. and Mitchell, M.A. (1993) Welfare assessment of broiler breeder and layer females subjected to food and water restriction during rearing. British Poultry Science 34: 443–458.Google Scholar
Hocking, P.M., Maxwell, M.H., Robertson, G.W. and Mitchell, M.A. (2002b) Welfare assessment of broiler breeders that are food restricted after peak rate of lay. British Poultry Science 43: 5–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hocking, P.M., Maxwell, M.H., Robertson, G.W. and Mitchell, M.A. (2001) Welfare assessment of modified rearing programmes for broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 42: 424–432.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hocking, P.M., Waddington, D.Walker, M.A. and Gilbert, A.B. (1989) Control of the development of the ovarian follicular hierarchy in broiler breeder pullets by food restriction during rearing. British Poultry Science 30: 167–174.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hocking, P.M., Zaczek, V., Jones, E.K.M. and Macleod, M.G. (2004) Different concentrations and sources of dietary fibre may improve the welfare of female broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 45: 9–19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ingram, D.R. and Wilson, H.R. (1987) Ad libitum feeding of broiler breeders prior to peak egg production. Nutrition Reports International 36: 839–845.Google Scholar
Jaap, R.G. and Muir, F.V. (1968) Erratic oviposition and egg defects in broiler-type pullets. Poultry Science 47: 417–423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katanbaf, M.N., Dunnington, E.A. and Siegel, P.B. (1989a) Restricted feeding in early and late feathering chickens. 1. Growth and physiological responses. Poultry Science 68: 344–351.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Katanbaf, M.N., Dunnington, E.A. and Siegel, P.B. (1989b) Restricted feeding in early and latefeathering chickens. 2. Reproductive responses. Poultry Science 68: 352–358.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Katanbaf, M.N., Dunnington, E.A. and Siegel, P.B. (1989c) Restricted feeding in early and latefeathering chickens. 3. Organ size and carcass composition. Poultry Science 68: 359–368.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Le Bihan-Duval, E., Berri, C., Baeza, E., Millet, N. and Beaumont, C. (2001) Estimation of the genetic parameters of meat characteristics and their genetic correlations with growth and body composition in an experimental broiler line. Poultry Science 80: 839–843.Google Scholar
Leclercq, B., Hassan, I. and Blum, J.C. (1974) The influence of force-feeding on the transport of plasma lipids in the chicken (Gallus gallus L.). Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology-B: Comparative Biochemistry 47: 289–296.Google Scholar
Leeson, S., Etches, R.J. and Summers, J.D. (1988) Development of leghorn pullets subjected to early light stimulation. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 68: 1267–1275.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leveille, G.A., Rosmos, D.R., Yeh, Y. and O'hea, E.K. (1975). Lipid biosynthesis in the chick. A consideration of site of synthesis, influence of diet and possible regulatory mechanisms. Poultry Science 54: 1075–1093.Google Scholar
Lonergan, S.M., Deeb, N., Fedler, C.A. and Lamont, S.J. (2003) Breast meat quality and composition in unique chicken populations. Poultry Science 82: 1990–1994.Google Scholar
Lupicki, M.E. (1994) Ovarian Morphology and Steriodogenesis in Domestic Fowl (Gallus Domesticus): Effects of Aging, Strain, Photostimulation Programme and Level of Feeding. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB., Canada.Google Scholar
Maloney, M.A., Gilbreath, J.C., Tierce, J.F. and Morrison, R.D. (1967) Divergent selection for twelve-week body weight in the domestic fowl. Poultry Science 46: 1116–1127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marks, H.L. (1980) Early feed intake and conversion of selected and nonselected broilers. Poultry Science 59: 1167–1171.Google Scholar
Marks, H.L. (1985) Direct and correlated responses to selection for growth. Pages 47–57 in: Poultry Genetics and Breeding. Hill, W.G., Manson, J.M. and Hewitt, D., ed. British Poultry Science Ltd., Harlow.Google Scholar
Macwell, M.H., Robertson, G.W., Spence, S. and Mccorquodale, C.C. (1990) Comparison of haematological values in restricted and ad-libitum-fed domestic fowls: White blood cells and thrombocytes. British Poultry Science 31: 399–405.Google Scholar
Mcgovern, R.H., Renema, R.A. and Robinson, F.E. (1997). Increased feed allocation does not stimulate increased ovarian development or increased egg output in 54-week-old broiler breeder hens. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 77: 177–179.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mench, J.A. (1993) “Problems associated with broiler breeder management”, Pages 195–207 in: Fourth European Symposium on Poultry Welfare. Savory, C.J. and Hughes, B.O., ed. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Potters Bar, Herts.Google Scholar
Mench, J.A. (1991) Research note: Feed restriction in broiler breeders causes a persistent elevation in corticosterone secretion that is modulated by dietary tryptophan. Poultry Science 70: 2547–2550.Google Scholar
Mench, J.A. (2002) Broiler breeders: feed restriction and welfare. World's Poultry Science Journal 58: 23–29.Google Scholar
Nestor, K.E., Bacon, W.L. and Renner, P.A. (1980) The influence of genetic changes in total egg production, clutch length, broodiness, and body weight on ovarian follicular development in turkeys. Poultry Science 59: 1694–1699.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Onagbesan, O.M., Decuypere, E., Leenstra, F. and Ehlhardt, D.A. (1999) Differential effects of amount of feeding on cell proliferation and progesterone production in response to gonadotrophins and insulin-like growth factor I by ovarian granulose cells of broiler breeder chickens selected for fatness or leanness. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 116: 73–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
O'sullivan, N.P., Dunnington, E.A., Smith, E.J., Gross, W.B. and Siegel, P.B. (1991) Performance of early and late feathering broiler breeder females with different feeding regimens. British Poultry Science 32: 981–995.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pym, R.A.E. and Dillon, J.F. (1974) Restricted food intake and reproductive performance of broiler breeder pullets. British Poultry Science 15: 245–259.Google Scholar
Renema, R.A., Robinson, F.E., Newcombe, M. and Mckay, R.I. (1999a) Effects of body weight and feed allocation during sexual maturation in broiler breeder hens: 1. Growth and carcass characteristics. Poultry Science 78: 619–628.Google Scholar
Renema, R.A., Robinson, F.E., Newcombe, M. and Mckay, R.I. (1999b) Effects of body weight and feed allocation during sexual maturation in broiler breeder hens: 2. Ovarian morphology and plasma hormone profiles. Poultry Science 78: 629–639.Google Scholar
Renema, R.A., Robinson, F.E.Preikschat, N.V. and Zuidhof, M.J. (1999c) Effects of strain on feed intake, reproductive efficiency, fertility, and carcass characteristics at 49 wk of age in ad-libitum fed broiler breeder hens. Poultry Science 78 (Suppl. 1): 7–8.Google Scholar
Renema, R.A., Zuidhof, M.J. and Robinson, F.E. (2004) Impact of genotype, growth profile and photostimulation age on the reproductive efficiency of female broiler breeders. Poultry Science 83 (Suppl. 1): 144.Google Scholar
Richards, M.P. (2003) Genetic regulation of feed intake and energy balance in poultry. Poultry Science 82: 907–916.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robbins, K.R., Chin, S.F., Mcghee, G.C. and Robertson, K.D. (1988) Effects of ad-libitum versus restricted feeding on body composition, and egg production of broiler breeders. Poultry Science 67: 1001–1007.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robbins, K.R., Mcghee, G.C.P., Osei, P. and Beauchene, R.E. (1986) Effect of feed restriction on growth, body composition, and egg production during the breeding season. Poultry Science 65: 1052–1057.Google Scholar
Robinson, F.E. and Etches, R.J. (1986) Ovarian steroidogenesis during follicular maturation in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus). Biology of Reproduction 35: 1096–1105Google Scholar
Robinson, F.E., Hardin, R.T., Robinson, N.A. and Williams, B.J. (1991b) The influence of egg sequence position on fertility, embryo viability, and embryo weight in broiler breeders. Poultry Science 70: 760–765.Google Scholar
Robinson, F.E., Renema, R.A., Feddes, J.J.R., Zuidhof, M.J. and Wilson, J.L. (1998) Sexual maturation in broiler breeder pullets as influenced by strain, 20-week body weight and feed allocation. Poultry Science 77 (Suppl.): 65.Google Scholar
Robinson, F.E., Robinson, N.A. and Scott, T.A. (1991a). Reproductive performance, growth and body composition of full-fed versus feed restricted broiler breeder hens. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 71: 549–556.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinson, F.E., Wautier, T.A., Hardin, R.T., Robinson, N.A., Wilson, J.L., Newcombe, M. and Mckay, R.I. (1996) Effects of age at photostimulation on reproductive efficiency and carcass characteristics. 1. Broiler breeder hens. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 76: 275–282.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robinson, F.E., Wilson, J.L., Yu, M.W., Fasenko, G.M. and Hardin, R.T. (1993a) The relationship between body weight and reproductive efficiency in meat-type chickens. Poultry Science 72: 912–922.Google Scholar
Robinson, F.E., Yu, M.W., Lupicki, M.E. and Hardin, R.T. (1993b) Short-term consequences of a sudden increase in feed allowance in broiler breeder hens. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 73: 156–167.Google Scholar
Scheuermann, G.N., Bilgili, S.F., Tuzun, S. and Mulvaney, D.R. (2004) Comparison of chicken genotypes: Myofiber number in Pectoralis muscle and myostatin ontogeny. Poultry Science 83: 1404–1412.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schneider, W.J., Carroll, R., Severson, D.L. and Nimpf, J. (1990) Apolipoprotein VLDL-II inhibits lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the laying hen. Journal of Lipid Research 31: 507–513.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Siegel, P.B. and Dunnington, E.A. (1985) Reproductive complications associated with selection for broiler growth. Pages 59–72 in: Poultry Genetics and Breeding. Hill, W.G., Manson, J.M. and Hewitt, D., ed. British Poultry Science Ltd., Harlow.Google Scholar
Siegel, P.B., Dunnington, E.A., Jones, D.E., Ubosi, C.O., Gross, W.B. and Cherry, J.A. (1984) Phenotypic profiles of broiler stocks fed two levels of methionine and lysine. Poultry Science 63: 855–862.Google Scholar
Simon, J. (1989) Chicken as a useful species for the comprehension of insulin action. CRC Critical Reviews in Poultry Biology 2: 121–148.Google Scholar
Singh, N. (1993) “The poultry industry”. Pages 117–140 in: Animal Production in Canada. Martin, J., Hudson, R.J. and Young, B.A., ed. Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta, Edmonton.Google Scholar
Skinner-Noble, D.O., Jones, R.B. and Teeter, R.G. (2003) Components of feed efficiency in broiler breeding stock: Is improved feed conversion associates with increased docility and lethargy in broilers? Poultry Science 82: 532–537.Google Scholar
Spinu, M., Benbeneste, S. and Degen, A.A. (2003) Effect of density and season on stress and behaviour in broiler breeder hens. British Poultry Science 44: 170–174.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Summers, J.D. and Leeson, S. (1983) Factors influencing early egg size. Poultry Science 62: 1155–1159.Google Scholar
Udale, R.W., Siegel, P.B. and Van Krey, H.P. (1972) Rates of ovulation and oviposition in growth selected lines of chickens. Poultry Science 51: 2098–2100.Google Scholar
Unger, RH. and Orci, L. (2000) Lipotoxic diseases of nonadipose tissues in obesity. International Journal of Obesity & Related Metabolic Disorders 24(Suppl 4): S28–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Middelkoop, J.H. (1971) Shell abnormalities due to the presence of two eggs in the shell gland. Archiv für Geflügelkunde 35: 122–127.Google Scholar
Van Middelkoop, J.H. (1972) The relationship between ovulation interval of White Plymouth Rock pullets and the laying of abnormal eggs. Archiv für Geflügelkunde 35: 122–127.Google Scholar
Velleman, S.G., Anderson, J.W.Coy, C.S. and Nestor, K.E. (2003) Effect of selection for growth rate on muscle damage during turkey breast muscle development. Poultry Science 82: 1069–1074.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whitehead, C.C. (2000) Nutrition: the integrative science. British Poultry Science 41: 5–15.Google Scholar
Whitehead, C.C. (2002) Nutrition and poultry welfare. World's Poultry Science Journal 58: 349–356.Google Scholar
Yu, M.W., Robinson, F.E., Charles, R.G. and Weingardt, R. (1992b) Effect of feed allowance for female broiler breeders during rearing and lay: 2. Ovarian morphology and production. Poultry Science 71: 1750–1761.Google Scholar
Yu, M.W., Robinson, F.E. and Etches, R.J. (1992c) Effect of feed allowance during rearing and breeding on female broiler breeders. 3. Ovarian steroidogenesis. Poultry Science 71: 1762–1767.Google Scholar
Yu, M.W., Robinson, F.E. and Robblee, A.R. (1992a) Effect of feed allowance during rearing and breeding on female broiler breeders. 1. Growth and carcass characteristics. Poultry Science 71: 1739–1749.Google Scholar
Zuidhof, M.J., Robinson, F.E., Feddes, J.J.R., Hardin, R.T., Wilson, J.L., Mckay, R.I. and Newcombe, M. (1995) The effects of nutrient dilution on the well-being and performance of female broiler breeders. Poultry Science 74: 441–456.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed