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Effects of maternal energetic efficiency on egg traits, chick traits, broiler growth, yield, and meat quality

L. F. Romero^*, M. J. Zuidhof^,1, R. A. Renema^*, A. N. Naeima^* and F. Robinson^*

^* University of Alberta, Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Agriculture/Forestry Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada; and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Agriculture Research Division, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6, Canada

¹ Corresponding author: martin.zuidhof{at}ualberta.ca

This study assessed egg traits, chick traits, growth, yield, and meat quality characteristics of the offspring from broiler breeders classified by 2 measurements of energetic efficiency: residual feed intake (RFI), defined as the difference between observed and expected ME intake, and residual maintenance requirement (RME_m), defined as the residual of the relationship between hen maintenance requirement and feed intake. A group of 72 pullets were placed in laying cages from 16 to 60 wk of age. Individual hen-based feed allocation was provided following a standard BW target. At 41wk, eggs from 8 d of production were collected and pedigree hatched. Chicks were assigned to 1 of 3 maternal RFI (RFI_mat) categories: low, average, and high. A total of 366 chicks were placed in 36 floor pens, 6 per sex x RFI_mat interaction, and raised to 38 d. At the end of the breeder experiment (60 wk), broilers were retrospectively assigned to a low or high maternal RME_m (RME_mmat) category. Low RFI_mat broilers had greater 38-d BW than average and high RFI_mat broilers. That was achieved through a greater BW gain and feed intake of low RFI_mat broilers from 21 to 28 d. It was found that RFI_mat had no effect on feed conversion, yield, or meat quality characteristics. Low RME_m hens produced heavier eggs (62.3 g) and chicks (42.5 g) than high RME_m hens (60.0 g; 41.0 g), but RME_mmat did not affect broiler 38-d BW. High RME_mmat broilers had greater breast yield (29.5%) and lower breast shear force (4.7 kg of force/g) than low RME_mmat broilers (28.5%; 5.6 kg of force/g). The low RFI_mat x high RME_mmat broilers had the greatest growth to 38 d. It was found that RFI_mat was inversely related to broiler growth, particularly when RME_mmat was high. Although low maintenance requirements may be desirable for egg and chick production, hens with a high maintenance requirement produced broilers with greater breast yield and tenderness. Minimizing maintenance requirements may not be compatible with maximizing broiler performance and meat yield.

Key Words: energetic efficiency • residual maintenance requirement • residual feed intake • broiler growth • meat quality