scholarly journals Experimental infection of broiler breeder hens with the intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira ( Serpulina ) pilosicoli causes reduced egg production

2002 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol P. Stephens ◽  
David J. Hampson
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Infection ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens

scholarly journals Modelling the egg components and laying patterns of broiler breeder hens

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayara T. Ferreira ◽  
Nilva K. Sakomura ◽  
Juliano César de Paula Dorigam ◽  
Edney Pereira da Silva ◽  
Robert M. Gous
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Broiler Breeders ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Reproductive Process ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Laying Performance ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens

There is scant information about the reproductive process in broiler breeders, with which to develop a feeding strategy that will be economically optimal for these birds. This study aimed to model the egg production of a flock of broiler breeder hens, using non-isometric equations. The number of eggs produced by 60 broiler breeder hens aged 24–60 weeks was monitored, as was the weight of these eggs and the weights of the components, yolk, albumen and shell. Oviposition sequences and the number and length of pauses between sequences were analysed. Non-isometric functions were applied to predict the weight of the egg; yolk weight was predicted from the age of the hen, while albumen and shell weights were predicted from yolk weight; and egg weight was obtained by summing the component weights. The incidence of soft-shelled and double-yolk eggs was also determined. Yolk weight (YW, g) can be described as YW = 18.03 × (1 – e–0.015 × (t – 103.4)) × e(0.001 × t), where t is the age of the bird (days). The weights of albumen (AW) and shell (SW) were based on YW predictions as follows: AW = 14.38 × YW0.375 and SW = 0.358 × (YW + AW)0.687. The rate of double-yolk egg (DY) production is described by DY = 2.28 × e(0.209 × TFE), and the rate of soft-shelled egg (SS) production by SS = 1.126 + 0.148/(1 – 0.024 × TFE) – 0.056 × TFE, as a function of time from first egg (TFE). On the basis of the results obtained, the model developed here is an accurate reflection of the changes that occur in the number of eggs produced by broiler breeders, as well as in the egg itself and in its components over the entire laying period. This model can thus be used in predicting the nutrient requirements of individual broiler breeder hens, which, when combined with simulated data from a large number of individuals, will accurately describe the laying performance of a flock of broiler breeders.

scholarly journals Short-term consequences of a sudden increase in feed allowance in broiler breeder hens

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Robinson ◽  
M. W. Yu ◽  
M. E. Lupicki ◽  
R. T. Hardin
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Liver Fat ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

The immediate effects of a sudden increase in feed allowance on selected morphological and reproductive traits were investigated in broiler breeder hens at 44 wk of age. Fifty Indian River hens were individually caged at 40 wk of age. Prior to 40 wk of age the birds had been feed restricted in accordance with the breeder's recommended feeding program. Five treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) of 10 birds each were formed based on level of feeding and duration of exposure to such feeding. T1, T2 and T3 birds were feed restricted (128 g of daily feed bird−1) from 40 to 44, 40 to 45 and 40 to 46 wk of age, respectively. T4 and T5 birds were also feed restricted at the same level as the other groups to 44 wk of age and then were full fed from 44 to 45 and 44 to 46 wk of age, respectively. To facilitate study of follicular recruitment and yolk deposition, hens were fed 10 g of oil-soluble red and black dyes, daily, on alternate days, beginning at 42 wk of age. Birds were killed on day 0 (44 wk; T1), day 7 (45 wk; T2, T4), or day 14 (46 wk; T3, T5). Full-fed hens consumed approximately 100 g more feed per day than did feed-restricted hens, with marked increases in feed intake on the first day of full feeding. After 7 d of ad libitum feeding, significant increases were seen in body weight, liver weight, percent liver fat, plasma lipid concentration, ovary weight, and the incidence of a double hierarchy (simultaneous development) of large follicles. After 14 d of ad libitum feeding, significant increases were also observed in absolute fat-pad weight, individual weights of the four largest preovulatory follicles and number of large preovulatory follicles. The increased number of large follicles in the ovary was not associated with any change in egg production. It is apparent that the morphological disruptions associated with overfeeding broiler breeder hens can be identified within 7 d of full feeding, while any effects on egg production are not seen within the first 14 d of ad libitum feeding. Key words: Broiler breeder, feed intake, yolk deposition, ovarian morphology, egg production

scholarly journals Productive performance of broiler breeder hens fed 25-hydroxycholecalciferol

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1286-1290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cibele Araujo Torres ◽  
Sergio Luiz Vieira ◽  
Renata Nuernberg Reis ◽  
André Klein Ferreira ◽  
Pedro Xavier da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D3 ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Embryo Mortality ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Egg Shells ◽  
25 Hydroxycholecalciferol

An experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating the addition of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH) D3) in diets of broiler breeder hens. The experiment used Cobb 500 broiler breeder hens and was allotted to a complete randomized design with four treatments and eight replications of twenty females and two males each. The treatments consisted of vitamin premixes with 2,000 and 3,400 IU/kg diet vitamin D3 as the only source of vitamin or 2,000 IU D3 plus 35 or 69 mg/t of 25(OH) D3. Results of this experiment indicated that 25(OH) D3 had no significant effect on egg production parameters from 32 to 67 weeks. The supplementation of 25(OH) D3 resulted in better quality egg shells evaluated by the specific gravity at 60 weeks of age, regardless of the dosage. No significant differences were observed for hatchability of broiler breeder fertile eggs at 54 and 64 weeks. At 64 weeks, the hatch residue breakout showed less embryo mortality at the third week for treatments receiving 2,000 UI D3 in the diet and less embryo mortality at the second week of development from hens aged 67 weeks and supplemented with 2,000IU D3 and 2,000IU D3+ 69 mg 25(OH)D3. It was concluded that the supplementation with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol with cholecalciferol had similar effects as the diets with vitamin D3 as the only source on the productive performance of broiler breeder hens.

scholarly journals Dynamics of nutrient utilization, heat production, and body composition in broiler breeder hens during egg production

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (8) ◽  
pp. 2845-2853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justina V. Caldas ◽  
Katie Hilton ◽  
Nirun Boonsinchai ◽  
Judith A. England ◽  
Andy Mauromoustakos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Heat Production ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens

scholarly journals Ad Libitum Feeding in Broiler Breeder Hens Alters the Transcriptome of Granulosa Cells of Pre-Hierarchal Follicles

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2706
Author(s):  
Laurie Francoeur ◽  
Claire S. Stephens ◽  
Patricia A. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Differential Expression Analysis ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Follicle Selection ◽  
Ad Libitum Feeding

Intense selective breeding of chickens has resulted in suboptimal egg production in broiler breeder hens. This reproductive phenotype is exacerbated by ad libitum feeding, which leads to excessive and disorganized follicular growth. One strategy used to improve broiler breeder hens’ reproductive efficiency is restricted feeding. In this study, we sought to identify transcriptional changes, which translate the level of dietary intake into increased follicle selection. Broiler breeder hens (n = 16 per group) were raised according to commercial guidelines until 28 weeks of age and then randomly assigned to an ad libitum diet (FF) or continued on a restricted diet (RF) for 6 weeks. Following dietary treatment, FF hens (n = 2) with excessive follicle selection and RF hens (n = 3) with normal follicle selection were selected for RNA-sequencing. Transcriptomes of granulosa cells from 6–8-mm follicles were sequenced to identify transcriptional differences in the follicle population from which selection was made for the preovulatory stage. Differential expression analysis identified several genes known to play a role in follicle development (CYP11A1, STAR, INHA, and INHBB) that are upregulated in FF hens. These changes in gene expression suggest earlier granulosa cell differentiation and steroidogenic competency in the granulosa layer from FF hens.

Evaluating the egg production of broiler breeder hens in response to dietary nutrient intake from 31 to 60 weeks of age through neural network models

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Faridi ◽  
A. Golian ◽  
J. France
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Network Models ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Neural Network Models ◽  
Broiler Breeder ◽  
Breeder Hens ◽  
Dietary Nutrient ◽  
Broiler Breeder Hens

Faridi, A., Golian, A. and France, J. 2012. Evaluating the egg production of broiler breeder hens in response to dietary nutrient intake from 31 to 60 weeks of age through neural network models. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 473–481. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of broiler breeder hens in terms of egg production to dietary nutrient intake. Using neural network (NN) models and breaking down the collected data from 98 commercial broiler breeder houses into 3-wk intervals, 10 NN-based models were developed from 31 to 60 wk of age. The data lines were divided into two random subsets of training (n=64) and testing (n=34) sets. The variables of interest for developing the models were metabolizable energy (ME; kcal bird−1 d−1), and crude protein (CP), total sulphur amino acids (TSAA), lysine (Lys), calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (AP), all in g bird−1 d−1. The random optimization algorithm was applied to the constructed models to find the optimal level of the input variables which maximized egg production during the different intervals. The high R 2 values in all the developed models for both the training and testing sets indicate the accuracy of NN-based models in estimating egg production. The optimization results revealed that breeder hens consuming 485, 473, 471, 466, 460, 452, 448, 442, 437 and 445 kcal of ME bird−1 d−1 showed the highest egg production during the 10 consecutive 3-wk intervals from 31 to 60 wk of age, respectively. Moreover, the optimal performance of hens required the following average intakes from 31 to 60 wk of age (g bird−1 d−1): CP: 23.7; TSAA: 1.05; Lys: 1.07; Ca: 4.91; and AP: 0.58. The results show that energy (kcal bird−1 d−1) and other nutrient requirements (g bird−1 d−1) of broiler breeder hens from 31 to 60 wk of age do not change in consort together with age; therefore using different diets with different dietary nutrient levels during the production cycle may help the nutritionists better meet the requirements of broiler breeder hens. Based on the present study, it appears that company guideline recommendations may underestimate the nutrient requirements of hens during these weeks when egg production is declining gradually.

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