Eggshell quality and egg weight of late-cycle broiler breeders on one or two-stage feeding programs

摘要

To determine effects of diet on late cycle eggshell quality, broiler breeders were provided a standard breeder feed (one stage program) or a lower protein, lower methionine, lower phosphorus, higher calcium feed (two stage program) from 45 to 65 weeks of age. Equal daily allotments of each feed were provided to 8 pens of 15 hens per program. Although there was no measurable reduction in egg production in hens fed the two stage program, hen body weights did increase relative to the Me stage program. The two stage program did not limit increase in egg weight. Eggshell quality variables did not decrease as much with age as expected and were not influenced by feed treatment. Under these conditions, the lower ingredient costs of the two stage program reduced feed cost with little loss in performance.