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Feeding Broiler Breeder Males. 3. Effect of Feed Allocation Program From Sixteen to Twenty-Six Weeks and Subsequent Feed Increments During the Production Period on Body Weight and Fertility¹

H. Romero-Sanchez^*, P. W. Plumstead and J. Brake^,2

^* Grupo Grica, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Antioquia, AA 1226 Medellin, Colombia; and Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7608

² Corresponding author: jbrake{at}ncsu.edu

Two experiments were conducted to compare different feed allocation programs from 16 to 26 wk of age and during the subsequent production period on broiler breeder male BW and fertility. In experiment 1, Ross 344 males were randomly assigned to 3 rates (slow, medium, or fast) of weekly feed increase from 16 to 26 wk of age that provided a gradual increase from 85 to 110 g/male/d. Feed allocation was also increased 5 g/ male/d in a single increment at 55 wk of age after fertility had declined. In experiment 2, a 2 x 2 factorial design was used to evaluate the interaction between the slow and fast feeding programs described in experiment 1 in combination with 2 feeding programs (constant or increasing) during the subsequent production period. In experiment 1, the males on the fast feed program exhibited higher mortality after 32 wk of age and lower fertility after 46 wk of age. However, fertility recovered in all treatments after the feed allocation was increased at 55 wk of age. In experiment 2, the constant program elicited lower fertility from 36 to 55 wk. Males that received the slow feed program from 16 to 26 wk of age gained BW more slowly and apparently required less feed to sustain their BW throughout the production period. Increasing male feed allocation during the production period improved fertility.

Key Words: broiler breeder • feeding program • fertility • body weight

¹ The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement of the products mentioned nor criticism of similar products not mentioned.