Effects of different feeding programs on performance, fat deposition and reproductive characteristics of broiler breeders

• Grant number: 11/22030-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Macari
• Grantee: Marcos Macari
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of feed restriction is necessary to correct problems related to overweight in broiler breeders; however, very few data are available comparing the effect of different feeding programs on adipocite development and their implication on reproductive characteristics. Thus, this project aims to assess the effect of different feeding restriction programs and how they affect fat deposition and production in broiler breeders. Two experiments will be done. In the first, 1400 day-old female(slow feathering) and 200 males breeders will be reared separately until 30 days of age. Afterwards,1080 females will be distributed in 40 boxes, forming a experimental unit of 27 birs each. A at random experimental design will be used with 5 treatments, 8 repetitions and 2 blocks (north and south position in the animal house), with the treatments: T1-control (ad libitum); T2-daily restriction; T3-skip-aday; T4- 4x3 and T5 - 5x2. The females breeders will be on these treatments untill 18 weeks of age, after that they will have daily feed restriction. The experimental schedule will be on parcels over the time, with 7 parcels (4a, 11a,18a,25a,32a,39a,46a wk). For each parcel, one bird will be removed of each box for carcass and reproductive organs analysis. The coefficient of variation of the flock will be determined at the end of each experimental period. The data will be analysed by SAS 9.0 software. The second experiment will carried out to assess the reproductive characterisitcs, such as: hatchability ratio, fertility and chicks weigh at 32, 39 and 46 wk. 160 fertile eggs per treatment will be collected during 2 days and incubated, totalizing 1600 eggs. Parcels over the time, being each parcel the week of egg collection. A at random experimental design with 5 treatments, 8 repetitions and 2 blocs (eggs age). The data will be anlysed by SAS 9.0 software. (AU)