Effects of feeding programme and feeder space change at photo-stimulation using maize- or wheat-based diet on growth and reproductive performance of female broiler breeders

1. This study was carried out to determine the effects of breeder feeding programme to 29 weeks of age, and feeder space change at photo-stimulation using two sources of grain on breeder hen reproductive efficiency and egg characteristics. 2. Fast-feathering Cobb 500 pullet broiler breeders were housed in 16 pens of 81 females each during rearing, and fed on either maize-or wheat-based diet, formulated to have similar nutrient composition. Two feeding programmes, Fast and Slow, were used from 14 to 29 weeks of age. At 22 weeks of age, 69 females that represented the body weight (BW) distribution from each pen were placed in a layer house where feeder space either remained very similar (from 6.3 to 6.5 cm/female) or was increased (from 6.3 to 8.4 cm/female). Breeder growth performance, reproductive efficiency and egg characteristics were evaluated. 3. Data were analysed as a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design with diet type, feeding programme and feeder space change as the main factors. The main effects of the treatments were found but there were no treatment interactions. 4. Breeders fed on wheat were consistently heavier than breeders fed on maize from 10 to 52 weeks of age and exhibited greater hen mortality during the layer phase. Breeders fed on wheat diets exhibited improved egg production while laying eggs with a greater yolk: albumen ratio compared to the maize group. 5. The Fast feeding programme increased female mortality and increased BW during the layer phase. Breeders fed according to the Slow feeding programme had better fertility, and laid eggs with lower percentage eggshell that might be associated with the lower early embryonic mortality observed in these hens as compared with the Fast feeding programme. 6. Breeders having increased feeder space at photo-stimulation matured earlier and produced more eggs compared to breeders with no change in feeder space. 7. It was concluded that the feeding of wheat, the use of the Slow feeding programme and an increase in feeder space improved some aspects of hen productivity and egg characteristics.