BROILER BREEDER NUTRITION AND ITS IMPACT ON PROGENY LIVEPERFORMANCE AND HEALTH

摘要

The importance of breeder nutrition and management on final results of the broiler production chain is frequently underestimated. The most critical phases of development for the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, integumentary, skeletal and muscularsystems of birds occur during the embryonic period, especially in the days preceding and following hatch. Therefore, maternal effects, which basically refer to the transfer of nutrients into the yolk and albumen and shell characteristics, significantlyimpact incubation. However, breeder effects on embryos also include the vertical transmission of gut microflora, passive immunity, and endogenous hormones and growth factors. Finally, it is important to remember that incubation conditions can have an independent impact on embryo development and how the embryo uses the nutrients available in the egg and responds to pathogens. Consequently, incubation factors may affect chick quality, growth and health of broilers and the final quality of poultry meat products independent of maternal effects. This presentation will use some examples to illustrate the previously mentioned effects in order to stimulate the interest of poultry professionals to observe the impacts of decisions made about breeder nutrition and management that may have a long carryover effect on breeder progeny.