Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T02:34:41.798Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Problems associated with broiler breeder entry into lay: a review and hypothesis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2009

Y. EITAN  and
M. SOLLER
Y. EITAN*
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel
M. SOLLER
Affiliation:
Department of Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel
*
Corresponding author: yoave@kv-yavne.co.il
Get access

Abstract

Aggressive (i.e. over-) feeding of broiler breeder females in the period preceding onset of lay results in higher mortality and subsequent deleterious effects on egg and chick production (the ‘over-feeding complex’). An intriguing aspect of the over-feeding complex is its close parallel, albeit at a lower level, to the well known ‘Erratic Oviposition and Defective Egg Syndrome’ (EODES) obtained when feeding female broiler breeders ad libitum. This is consistent with many studies showing that partial restriction (quasi-ad libitum feeding) results in partial expression of EODES (quasi-EODES). To explain the strong deleterious effects caused by rather minor over-feeding during this critical transition period, we propose that the very severe feed restriction of the growing pullet needed to prevent the onset of EODES, combined with the genetic increase in breast meat proportion achieved by intense selection over the past two decades, results in a situation where, during the critical weeks of maturation leading up to the first egg, the body lean mass must increase greatly at the same time that the ovary is maturing. During pullet maturation, empirically determined recommended feeding plans optimally balance the need to provide the rapid increase in muscle mass needed to achieve body lean mass threshold for entry into lay, with the need to maintain the ovary in a state of sufficient restriction to avoid appearance of quasi-EODES. With feed intake delicately balanced in this manner, even minor over-feeding tips the balance in the direction of quasi-EODES resulting in the appearance of the over-feeding complex. This may have been exacerbated in the past decade by a shift in the physiological control of EODES from body weight to feed intake.

Keywords

broiler breederfeed restrictionEODESbreast proportionovaryonset of lay threshold weight
Type
Review Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 65 , Issue 4 , December 2009 , pp. 641 - 648
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2009

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

BRODY, T.B, EITAN, Y., SOLLER M., NIR I. and NITZAN Z., (1980) Compensatory growth and sexual maturity in broiler females reared under severe food restriction from day of hatching. Poultry Science 21: 437-446.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
BRUGGEMAN, V., ONAGBESAN, O., RAGOT, O., METAYER, S., CASS, Y.S., FAVREAU, F., JEGO, Y., TREVIDY, J.J., TONA, K., WILLIAMS, J., DECUYPERE, E. and PICARD, M. (2005) Feed Allowance – Genotype interaction in broiler breeder hens. Poultry Science 84:298-306.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
COBB, , Cobb 500 breeder management guide (2005, 2008). Cobb-Vantress, Inc. POB 1030 Siloam Springs and Arkansas 72761.Google Scholar
DE BEER, M. and COON, C.N. (2007) The effect of different feed restriction programs on reproductive performance, efficiency, frame size and uniformity in broiler breeder hens. Poultry Science 86: 1927-1939.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DECUYPERE, E., ONAGBESAN, O., SWENNEN, Q., BUYSE, J. and BRUGGEMAN, V. (2006) Broiler breeder paradox :A project report. World Poultry Science Journal 62: 443-453.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
EITAN, Y., SOLLER, M. and ROZENBOIM, I. (1998) Comb size and estrogen levels toward the onset of lay in broiler and layer strain females under ad libitum and restricted feeding. Poultry Science 77: 1593-1600.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
EITAN, Y. and SOLLER, M. (2002) Associated effects of sixty years of commercial selection for juvenile growth rate in broiler chickens: Endo / Exo physiological or genetic? 7th World Congress for Genetic Applied to Livestock Production, Montpellier, France.Google Scholar
GOUS, R.M. (2008) The Broiler Breeder Paradox. International Hatchery Practice 22 (6): 11-13.Google Scholar
HOCKING, P.M., GILBERT, A.B., WALKER, M. and WADDINGTON, D. (1987) Ovarian follicular structure of white leghorn fed ad libitum and dwarf and normal broiler breeder fed ad libitum or restricted to point of lay. British Poultry Science 28: 493-506.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. (1993) Effects of body weight at sexual maturity and the degree and age of restriction during rearing on the ovarian follicular hierarchy of broiler breeder females. British Poultry Science 34: 793-801.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HOCKING, P.M. (2004) Roles of body weight and feed intake in ovarian follicular dynamics in broiler breeders at the onset of lay and after a forced molt. Poultry Science 83: 2044-2050.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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 response. Poultry Science 68: 344-351.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
KATANBAF, M.N., DUNNINGTON, E.A. and SIEGEL, P.B. (1989b) Restricted feeding in early and late feathering chickens. 2. Reproductive response. Poultry Science 68: 352-358.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
KATANBAF, M.N., DUNNINGTON, E.A. and SIEGEL, P.B. (1989c) Restricted feeding in early and late feathering chickens. 3. Organ size and carcass composition. Poultry Science 68: 359-368.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
LEESON, S. (2004) How does feed allocation affect the performances of breeders and their progeny. Poultry International May: 10-14.Google Scholar
LEWIS, P.D. (2006) Constant and changing photoperiods in the laying period for broiler breeders allows normal or accelerated growth during the rearing period. Poultry Science 85: 321-325.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MEIJERHOF, R. (2005) The impact genetics has on breeder management. World Poultry 21(5):18-21.Google Scholar
MELNYCHUK, V.L., KIRBY, J.D., KIRBY, Y.K., EMMERSON, D.A. and ANTHONY, N.B. (2004) Effect of strain, feed allocation program and age at photostimulation on reproductive development and carcass characteristics of broiler breeder hens. Poultry Science 83: 1861-1867.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. Poultry Science 32: 981-995.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
PICARD, M., BRUGGEMAN, V., JEGO, Y., ONAGBESAN, O. and HOCKING, P. (2004) Growth and laying performances of two broiler breeder genotypes fed diluted diets ad libitum or restricted. from a CD of European Research Project on Broiler Breeder Paradox (QLK5-ct-2001-01732).Google Scholar
RENEMA, R.A., ROBINSON, F.E., NEWCOMBE, M. and McKAY, R.I. (1999) Effect of Body Weight and Feed Allocation During Sexual Maturation in Broiler Breeding Hens 1. growth and carcass characteristics. Poultry Science 78: 619-628.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
RENEMA, R.A. and ROBINSON, F.R. (2004) Defining normal: comparison of feed restriction and full feeding of female broiler breeder. World's Poultry Science Journal 60: 508-521.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
RENEMA, R.A., ROBINSON, F.E. and ZUIDHOF, M.J. (2007) Reproductive efficiency and metabolism of female broiler breeders as affected by genotype, feed allocation and age at photostimulation. 2. Sexual maturation. Poultry Science 86: 2267-2277.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
RENEMA, R.A., ROBINSON, F.E. and ZUIDHOF, M.J. (2008) Management and feeding of broiler breeders. XXIII World's Poultry Congress, Brisbane, Australia session #3, OR101.Google Scholar
ROBINSON, F.E., ROBINSON, N.A. and SCOTT, T.A. (1991) Reproductive performance, growth rate 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., RENEMA, N.A., HARDIN, R.T. and WILSON, J.L. (1995) The effect of 20 week body weight and feed allocation during early lay on female broiler breeders. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 4: 203-210.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ROBINSON, F.E., RENEMA, N.A., BOUVIER L., , FEDDES, J.J.R., WILSON, J.L., NEWCOMBE, M. and McKAY, R.I. (1998a) Effect of photostimulatory lighting and feed allocation in female broiler breeders 1. Reproductive development. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 78: 603-613.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ROBINSON, F.E., RENEMA, N.A., BOUVIER, L., FEDDES, J.J.R., WILSON, J.L., NEWCOMBE, M. and McKAY, R.I. (1998b) Effect of photostimulatory lighting and feed allocation in female broiler breeders 2. Egg and chick production characteristics. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 78: 615-623.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ROBINSON, F.E., ZUIDHOF, M.J. and RENEMA, R.A. (2007) Reproductive efficiency and metabolism of female broiler breeders as affected by genotype, feed allocation and age at photostimulation. 3. Reproductive efficiency. Poultry Science 86: 2278-2286.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SOLLER, M., EITAN, Y. and BRODY, T. (1984) Effect of diet and early quantitative feed restriction on the minimum weight requirements for onset of sexual maturity in white rock broiler breeders. Poultry Science 63: 1255-1261.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SPRADLEY, J.M., FREEMAN, M.E., WILSON, J.L. and DAVIS, A.J. (2008) The influence of twice-a-day feeding regimen after photostimulation on the reproductive performance of broiler breeder hens. Poultry Science 87: 561-568.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 and the laying of abnormal eggs. Archiv für Geflügelkunde 36: 223-230.Google Scholar
WALZEM, R.L., SIMON, C., MORISHITA, T., LOWENSTINE, L. and HANSEN, R.J. (1993) Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in hens overfed a purified diet. Selected enzyme activities and liver histology in relation to liver hemorrhage and reproductive performance. Poultry Science 72: 1479-1491.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
YU, M.W., ROBINSON, F.E., CHARLES, R.G. and WEINGARDT, R. (1992a) Effect of feed allowance during rearing and breeding on female broiler breeders 1. Growth and carcass characteristics. Poultry Science 71: 1739-1749.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
YU, M.W., ROBINSON, F.E., CHARLES, R.G. and WEINGARDT, R. (1992b) Effect of feed allowance during rearing and breeding on female broiler breeders 2. Ovarian morphology and production. Poultry Science 71: 1750-1761.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed