End-of-Season Carcass and Reproductive Traits in Original and Replacement Male Broiler Breeders

Reproductive efficiency of male broiler breeders declines toward the end of a production cycle. It is common to add young, replacement males (spiking) to a breeder flock to maintain or increase fertility. To date, no study has reported if there are differences in the carcass and reproductive morphology between original and spiked males at the end of the breeding period. In this study, the weight, fleshing traits, footpad condition, and testes size of 327 Hubbard males (237 original and 90 replacement) from a commercial operation were examined. The original birds (63 wk of age) had significantly higher BW, breast weight, girth measurement, keel length, and spur length than the spiked males (48 wk of age). While external indicators of size and fleshing differed betweenreplacement and original roosters, testis weight was not affected by the age of the bird. It was found that average testis weight correlated well with BW in birds in which testicular regression had not taken place but only weakly with spur length. Because original males had a higher BW and were more heavily fleshed than replacement males, their ability to successfully complete matings may have been impeded. Further research is needed to link growth profiles with semen quality, sexual behavioral, and longevity of a male breeder in a commercial flock.     

Level of dietary energy during prepubertal growth and reproductive development of gilts.

Development of gilts that conceive early and continue to produce offspring is a primary objective of swine production. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of feed restriction during development required to optimize reproductive performance and efficiency in gilts. The effects that various patterns of growth had on reproductive development and performance of gilts through d 30 of gestation were investigated. At 13 wk of age and 41 kg BW, 192 white crossbred gilts were penned individually and assigned to receive 87.5%, 75%, 62.5%, and 50% of predicted ad libitum energy intake. The study was replicated in two seasons. At 25 wk of age, gilts were moved to group pens and allowed ad libitum access to feed, and estrous detection was initiated. Gilts were inseminated at first observed estrus and those recycling were remated. Post-mating gilts were fed 1.5x maintenance in stalls. Gilts that did not return to estrus 17 to 30 d after mating were slaughtered at 30 d of gestation. Reproductive tracts were collected and numbers of corpora lutea and live embryos were recorded. Feed restriction during development resulted in differences in BW and backfat thickness at the start of the breeding period and differences in feed intake during breeding. Gilts subjected to the greatest feed restriction during development consumed the greatest quantity of feed during breeding. Feed intake during breeding was associated with BW and backfat gain during breeding. The treatment group that entered breeding lightest and leanest (50% of predicted ad libitum intake) had the least number of days to first estrus, followed by the fattest, heaviest group (87.5% of predicted ad libitum intake). Treatment groups did not differ (P > 0.38) in ovulation rate or live embryo numbers. Significant relationships between quantity of GE consumed during development and variables considered important in reproductive development and performance were evident, such as BW and fatness at start of breeding and first detected estrus, and ovulation rate. Variation in dietary energy during the development period impacted many aspects of reproductive development and performance. However, coupling restricted energy intake during development with ad libitum intake during breeding negated many of the effects of feed restriction during the development period.     

Relationship between aging and nutritionally controlled growth rate on heat production of heifers

The first objective of this study was to test how well a function that was developed to describe heat production (HP) in growing ewes fit HP data in growing heifers. The second objective was to determine the pattern of adaptation of HP to feed restriction and subsequent realimentation of nutrients. At 234.5 +/- 0.5 d of age, HP was determined by indirect calorimetry on 32 Meat Animal Research Center III heifers. Following the first calorimetry measurement, heifers on the High-High (HH) treatment continued to receive ad libitum access to feed, and daily feed offered to the Low-High (LH) heifers was set at 157 Mcal of ME/kg of BW0.75. Feed restriction of LH heifers continued for 84 d. After 84 d of restriction, LH heifers were allowed ad libitum access to feed. Heat production was determined 4 and 11 wk following feed restriction and 2, 5, 12, and 18 wk following realimentation. There was no residual bias when HP in ad libitum-fed heifers was estimated with an equation form developed in growing ewes: [(kcal/d) = f(BW, matBW) = BW (Ae[k(BW/mature BW)])], nor was there a residual bias when HP was predicted with an allometric equation: [(kcal/d) = f(BW) = A(BWk)]. However, there were residual biases when HP was estimated with an allometric equation that set the exponent to 0.75. Heat production per unit of BW of LH heifers was lower than that of HH heifers at 4 wk of feed restriction (P < 0.001), but HP did not differ between treatments at 11 wk of feed restriction (P = 0.87). At 2 (P = 0.002) and 5 wk (P < 0.001) following the increase in feed offered, HP per unit of BW of the LH heifers was greater than that of the HH heifers. Heat production did not differ between treatments at 12 and 18 wk following refeeding (P < 0.17). Our findings demonstrate that the relationship between HP and BW is described equally well by a logistic and allometric function, but applying a generalized interspecies exponent in an allometric equation to growing heifers results in a bias in estimating HP. The equation form developed in ewes can be used to develop a single equation for the prediction of HP across ages in heifers.     

Exogenous leptin advances puberty in domestic hen

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of recombinant chicken leptin administered to fed ad libitum and feed-restricted immature chickens of a layer strain on ovarian development and the timing of sexual maturity. In the first experiment 11-week-old pullets (77 days of age) fed ad libitum were injected daily with leptin at four dose levels (4, 16, 64 and 256 microg/kg body weight) until sexual maturity (lay of the first egg). Leptin treatment at the highest dose significantly (P<0.05) advanced the onset of puberty (day 116.3+/-1.0) in comparison to controls (day 121.3+/-1.2). The rises of luteinizing hormone, estradiol and progesterone in blood plasma were also advanced by leptin treatment. In the second experiment, both full-fed and feed-restricted pullets (79 days of age) were injected daily with leptin (256 microg/kg body weight). In birds fed ad libitum, exogenous leptin again significantly (P<0.05) advanced first ovipostion (day 118.4+/-1.4 versus day 124.4+/-1.7), while abolishing the significant (P<0.05) delay caused by feed restriction (day 131.5+/-1.6) and restoring the normal onset of sexual maturity (day 125.7+/-1.6). Analysis of the ovaries in 106-day-old pullets revealed that leptin injections advanced follicular development, particularly in birds fed ad libitum, and significantly (P<0.01) reduced follicular apoptosis both in full-fed and feed-restricted birds. In conclusion, we have shown that in female chickens exogenous leptin advances the onset of puberty by attenuation of ovarian apoptosis and enhancement of folliculogenesis.     

Effect of prepubertal feeding regimen on reproductive development of gilts.

The effect of prepubertal feed level on growth and reproductive development of gilts was investigated. At 13 wk. of age, white crossbred gilts were penned individually and assigned to the following treatments: Ad lib, ad libitum intake from 13 to 25 wk. of age (n = 64); Control, ad libitum intake from 13 wk. of age until 100 kg BW and then 90% of ad libitum intake until 25 wk. of age (n = 65); and Restricted, 74% of ad libitum intake from 13 wk. to 25 wk. of age (n = 64). Feed was formulated to primarily restrict energy intake. The study was replicated in two seasons. At 25 wk. of age, gilts were moved to group pens, approximately 16 gilts/pen, allowed ad libitum access to feed, and estrus detection was initiated. Gilts were mated at first estrus and those recycling were remated. After mating, gilts were moved to gestation stalls and fed 1.5x maintenance. At 30 d of gestation, reproductive tracts were harvested, and numbers of corpora lutea (CL) and live embryos were recorded. From 13 to 25 wk. of age, feed consumption was 258 for Ad lib, 251 for Control, and 189 kg/gilt for Restricted, and, from 13 wk. of age until 30 d of gestation, total feed consumption was 367 for Ad lib, 356 for Control, and 299 kg/gilt for Restricted gilts. Age at puberty (196 d) and pregnancy (200 d) was not affected (P>.18) by treatment. However, the rate at which gilts attained puberty (e.g., percentage pubertal at 28 d) was greatest in Ad lib (75) and least in Control (61) gilts. Number of CL and live embryos at 30 d of gestation/gilt assigned to the study was unaffected (P>.21) by treatment. Quantity of feed consumed from 13 wk. of age to 30 d of gestation per live embryo in gilts assigned to the study was 40.0 for Ad lib, 39.8 for Control, and 30.6 kg/gilt for Restricted gilts. These results indicate that moderate feed restriction of gilts during prepubertal development may increase efficiency of swine production without negative impact on reproductive performance through 30 d of gestation.     

Effect of prepubertal feeding regimen on reproductive development and performance of gilts through the first pregnancy

Development of gilts that conceive early and continue to produce offspring is an objective of swine production. We investigated different patterns of growth on reproductive development and performance of gilts through the first farrowing. At 13 wk of age and 43 kg BW, 286 white crossbred gilts were penned individually and assigned to treatments: Ad lib, ad libitum intake from 13 to 25 wk of age; Control, ad libitum intake from 13 wk of age until 100 kg BW and then 90% of ad libitum intake until 25 wk of age; and Restricted, 74% of ad libitum intake from 13 wk to 25 wk of age. Feed was formulated to restrict energy intake. The study was replicated in three seasons. At 25 wk of age, gilts were moved by treatment to group pens, fed for ad libitum consumption, and estrus detection was initiated. Gilts were inseminated at first estrus, and those recycling were remated. Postmating gilts were fed 1.5x maintenance until 105 to 110 d of pregnancy. Gilts were moved either to the farrowing facility or the abattoir at 105 to 110 d of pregnancy. Those taken to the abattoir were slaughtered and number, weight, and condition of the fetuses were recorded. Gilts moved to the farrowing facility were allowed to farrow, and number, weight, and condition of the piglets were recorded. Daily feed intake during breeding was 3.4 kg/d by Restricted gilts, 2.9 by Control gilts, and 2.7 kg/d by Ad lib gilts. Increased feed intake by Restricted gilts during breeding resulted in compensatory gains that overcame the reduced reproductive performance that resulted from the reduced BW and backfat these gilts carried at the start of breeding. Days to first estrus and pregnancy were not influenced by development period treatment (P < 0.13). Percentage of Ad lib, Control, and Restricted gilts that successfully completed their pregnancies were 61, 74, and 66, respectively (P > 0.19). Total feed fed from 13 wk of age to end of the first pregnancy per gilt assigned did not differ among Ad lib (506 kg) and Control (498 kg) gilts but was less (P < 0.01) in Restricted gilts (451 kg). Number of piglets born per gilt assigned (P > 0.09) and piglets produced per kilogram of feed fed from 13 wk of age to term (P > 0.29) were 6.47 and 0.0134 in Ad lib gilts, 7.26 and 0.0150 in Control gilts, and 6.38 and 0.0149 in Restricted gilts, respectively. Moderate feed restriction, 74% of ad libitum intake, reduced feed consumed from 13 wk of age to end of the first pregnancy with no significant impact on efficiency of piglet production.     

Control of the development of the ovarian follicular hierarchy in broiler breeder pullets by food restriction during rearing

1. The increase in the numbers of yellow and of white ovarian follicles was studied from 10 weeks of age to sexual maturity in broiler breeder pullets fed ad libitum and on a restricted intake. The growth of follicles greater than 1 mm diameter commenced at 14 to 16 weeks of age in ad libitum birds and at 22 to 24 weeks in those which were restricted. 2. In a second experiment, groups of birds restricted from 4 d of age were transferred to ad libitum feeding at 2-week intervals and examined at first egg. The numbers of yellow follicles at first egg were not affected by restriction to 14 weeks of age but, thereafter, declined linearly with time on restriction. 3. In the second experiment there were no comparable responses in the numbers of white follicles or in the rates of atresia. 4. Food restriction to 22 weeks of age produced about half the response in numbers of yellow follicles as restriction continued to point of lay (27 to 32 weeks of age). In practical situations, the results suggest that food intake should be restricted up to the onset of lay and then increased in relation to the rise in egg production. 5. Atresia was greatest in white follicles 3.15 to 6.30 mm diameter and was less outside this range.     

Cottonseed Meal Diets Improve Body Weight Uniformity in Broiler Breeder Pullets

Due to its low nutrient density, cottonseed meal (CSM) may be a potential alternative feed ingredient for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler breeder pullet diets to improve flock BW uniformity. A major concern when utilizing CSM in poultry diets, however, is the presence of gossypol. It was determined in an initial experiment that when broiler breeder hens are fed a diet containing CSM, gossypol accumulates in the liver. When CSM is removed from the diet, however, hepatic gossypol levels dissipate within a few weeks. In a subsequent study, in order to achieve the breeder guideline ideal weight, broiler breeder pullets reared with a diet containing CSM from 2 to 18 wk of age had to be fed a larger amount than birds consuming a standard SBM diet. The CV of bird weight was significantly lower during the rearing period for birds reared with the corn and CSM diet. This difference in uniformity was maintained as the hens entered the breeding period. Egg weight, hatchability, and fertility were equivalent for hens reared with a diet containing CSM and those reared with a standard diet throughout the growing period. The results suggest that broiler breeder pullets reared on a diet containing CSM as the major protein source have improved flock BW uniformity and normal subsequent reproductive performance.     

Effects of Early Feed Restriction on Performance and Ascites Development in Broiler Chickens Subsequently Raised at Low Ambient Temperature

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of early-age growth limitation, achieved through feed restriction (FR), as a means of reducing ascites mortality in broiler chickens exposed to low ambient temperatures. Feed restriction was applied to broilers from 5 to 11 d of age so as to reduce their weight gain to about 40% of that of control broilers that were fed ad libitum (AL). At the age of 21 d the chickens were exposed to a temperature of 15°C, which induced ascites. By 46 d of age, ascites incidence and mortality in the feed-restricted birds were reduced to 15.79 vs. 36.84% and 7.89 vs. 26.32%, respectively, compared with those in the controls (P < 0.05). After feed restriction was stopped, the FR chickens had accelerated weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio from 11 to 18 d of age (P < 0.05), and by 46 d they had achieved the same body weight as the AL birds. Ascitic broilers had smaller relative breast muscle and spleen weights than those of the healthy broilers at 46 d (P < 0.05). However, the relative weights of lung, heart, and liver and the right ventricle weight per total ventricle weight (RV:TV) ratios were greater in ascitic broilers (P < 0.05). At age 37 d, when ascites had developed but not yet caused mortality, the ascitic broilers had lower plasma concentrations of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, and higher hematocrit values (P < 0.05) in comparison with the healthy ones. Ascitic birds also had lower oxygen consumption at 6 wk (P < 0.05), which agrees with information that the terminal stage of the ascites syndrome can be characterized by low oxygen consumption. We concluded that the early-age feed restriction reduced ascites incidence and mortality and prevented reduction of the thyroid hormone concentrations in male broilers reared at low ambient temperature from the age of 3 wk onward.     

Relationships of Body Weight,Feathering, and Footpad Condition with Reproductive and Carcass Morphology of End-of-Season Commercial Broiler Breeder Hens

Reproductive efficiency of broiler breeder hens declines with age. Whereas careful feed management can maximize BW uniformity at housing, there is variability in how rate of lay and flock behavioral dynamics will interact with subsequent growth during the breeder phase. This study characterized differences in carcass and reproductive morphology in end-of-cycle commercial broiler breeder hens based on BW, feather coverage, and footpad condition, and we discuss the potential implications of the findings. At 62 wk of age, 537 hens were studied from an original flock of 3,800. Birds were sorted into subgroups based on BW, feather score, footpad score, and whether they were in laying condition when dissected. The average flock BW was 3.56 kg, with means of 2.86, 3.56, and 4.20 kg for the low (LOW), standard (STD), and high (HIGH) BW groups, respectively. A higher proportion of birds from the STD (85%) and HIGH (81%) groups still had a fully formed reproductive tract compared with birds of the LOW (59%) group. The LOW birds in laying condition had a smaller ovary than the STD or HIGH birds. The ovary condition of birds in laying condition was not related to feather coverage. As feather coverage improved, final hen BW increased, demonstrating a potential role of feather coverage in growth efficiency or of BW in level of mating activity. Birds that received a feather score of 5 (complete back feather coverage) and had a normal reproductive tract made up 14.7% of this flock. It is likely that many of these birds were mating very infrequently or possibly not mating, which has implications for maintenance of flock fertility. Some may also have been returning from a molt. Footpad condition was not related to body size. External traits such as BW, feather score, and footpad score can provide insight into flock reproductive condition and male:female interaction.     

Early feed restriction in broilers. II: Body composition and nutrient gain

Two experiments were performed, in male and female broilers separately, to evaluate the effect of early feed restriction on the composition, gain, and efficiency of nutrients retention by comparative slaughter. Treatments were applied from 8 to 16 d age as follows: without feed restriction [standard feed (SF) ad libitum]; quantity restriction (80% ad libitum consumption of SF); time restriction (SF offered throughout 8 h/d); and quality restriction (SF diluted with 10% kaolin and 10% rice hulls containing 80% of the limiting nutrients). The broilers were raised in pens and 6 replications/treatments were used. The composition and body gain of DM, CP, and EE, and efficiency of protein and energy retention were evaluated. Time restriction was considered the most severe, mainly in males that showed less protein gain at 42 d age. Proportional body gain of EE was higher than that of CP in the refeeding period in the quantity and time restricted broilers and no improvement in the protein retention efficiency was observed in those birds previously restricted. The possibility that feed restriction decreases carcass fat was not observed.     

Effects of restricting energy during the gilt developmental period on growth and reproduction of lines differing in lean growth rate: responses in feed intake, growth, and age at puberty

The overall objective was to compare reproductive performance through 4 parities of gilts developed with ad libitum access to feed or with restriction of energy to 75% of ad libitum intake. Effects on growth and pubertal development are reported. The experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial with 661 gilts. One-half of the gilts (n = 330) were allowed ad libitum access to feed from weaning to breeding at 235 d of age (AL), and 331 littermates were developed with ad libitum access to feed to 123 d of age and then restricted to 75% of ad libitum intake to 235 d of age (Res). Diets for gilts on regimen AL were formulated to meet requirements for growth. All nutrients except energy and selenium were increased in the diet fed to gilts on regimen Res so that nutrient intake per unit of BW was expected to be similar to that of gilts on regimen AL. Sires of all gilts were from an industry maternal line. Dams were either an industry Large White-Landrace cross, or Nebraska selection Line 45, producing gilts denoted as LW/LR and L45X, respectively. Traits were recorded every 2 wk. Recording of feed intake and BW began at 53 d of age, and recording of backfat (BF) and LM area (LMA) began at 123 d of age. Estrus detection began at 140 d of age to determine age at puberty (AP). The G:F ratio from 123 to 235 d of age for gilts on the AL regimen was greater (0.269 vs. 0.257, P < 0.01) than for gilts on the Res regimen; the greatest difference occurred in the first 2-wk period following feed restriction. The LW/LR gilts were heavier, had less BF, and had greater LMA than L45X gilts, but interactions with feeding regimen and period of development existed. Feed restriction reduced BW, BF, LMA, and ratio of BF to BW, but had little effect on ratio of LMA to BW. More L45X gilts than LW/LR gilts (98 vs. 93%, P < 0.01) and more gilts developed on regimen AL than regimen Res (98 vs. 91%, P < 0.01) expressed estrus. Mean age at puberty was 178.6 d for LW/LR and 173.0 d for L45X gilts (P < 0.01) and 174.1 d for regimen AL and 177.5 d for regimen Res (P < 0.05). The Res regimen delayed pubertal development. Subsequently, it will be important to determine effects on reproduction through 4 parities.     

Effects of ambient temperature and restricted feeding on the growth of feathers in growing turkeys

1. Male turkeys were reared to 6 weeks of age at 15 degrees C and 26 degrees C and fed ad libitum or restricted to 0.5 of the body weight of birds fed ad libitum. Basal metabolic rate was determined by indirect calorimetry at an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C. 2. Turkeys at 15 degrees C were lighter than those kept at 26 degrees C. Feather lengths and weight were similar in both groups. Fasting heat production corrected for both metabolic body size and activity was greater in turkeys reared at 15 degrees C than those at 26 degrees C. 3. Cranial breast feathers were significantly longer in restricted birds than in those fed ad libitum in contrast to a proportional decrease in the lengths of other feathers of 0.1 to 0.3. Feather weight as a proportion of body weight was 0.072 in restricted turkeys compared with 0.046 in birds fed ad libitum. There was no difference in basal metabolic rate between ad libitum and restricted turkeys. 4. It was concluded that feather growth was maintained in preference to body and muscle growth and that rearing birds at 15 degrees C did not improve breast feather cover. It is suggested that the growth of breast feathers in turkeys fed ad libitum is impaired.     

Model to predict age at sexual maturity in broiler breeders given a single increment in photoperiod

1. Data from 9 experiments in which broiler breeder pullets had been photostimulated at two or more ages were integrated to produce a model to predict age at 50% egg production following a single increase in photoperiod during rearing. 2. It was clear that the photosexual response in broiler breeders was strongly influenced by the feed allowance and hence the rate of prepubertal growth. Regressions for birds given either a constant photoperiod or a single increase indicated that mean age at 50% lay advances by 2 d for every 100-g increase in body weight at 20 weeks. 3. The general response of broiler breeders was similar to that previously reported for egg-type pullets, but with important changes in the ages at which the birds progressed from one physiological state to the next, depending on body weight. 4. Broiler breeders, unlike modern egg-type pullets, exhibit juvenile photorefractoriness and, depending on their body weight, require up to 20 weeks to dissipate this (faster growth allows quicker dissipation). As a consequence, a group of birds grown to a typical weight of 2.1 kg at 20 weeks do not start to be photoresponsive until about 10 weeks and are not uniformly responsive until 19 or 20 weeks. A transfer to a stimulatory photoperiod before a bird has dissipated photorefractoriness causes a delay of about 3 weeks in its sexual development, and this results in a bimodal distribution of ages at maturity when a flock is photostimulated between 10 and 20 weeks. 5. Once photosensitive, the response of broiler breeders to an increment in photoperiod is between 0.50 and 0.65 of that observed in ISA Brown egg-type pullets. However, a flock of broiler breeders with typical feed restriction starts to mature spontaneously under the influence of the initial photoperiod from about 25 weeks. 6. There is a difference of only 1 to 3 d in age at 50% egg production between a flock transferred to 11 or 12 h followed by further increases to 15 or 16 h and one increased abruptly to one of these photoperiods, and so this model can be used to predict maturity in a commercial flock of birds even though they are likely to be given a stepped, rather than a single, increase in photoperiod.     

Effects of Alternative Molting Programs and Population on Layer Performance: Results of the Thirty-Fifth North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Test

A study involving 7 white-egg and 3 brown-egg commercial layer strains was conducted at the North Carolina Piedmont Research Station to assess the effects cage population 3-bird vs. 4-bird cages and alternative molt programs on performance through 113 wk of age (791 d). The flock was divided into 3 groups; not molted (NM), maintained in continuous production; molted using feed restriction (FR), an industry-type 14-d feed withdrawal molting program initiated at 463 d of age; and molted using a nonfasted/anorexic program (NF), in which an ad libitum supply of a low protein, low energy molt feed was provided. Productivity, egg size, and egg quality were monitored at 28-d periods throughout the test providing the performance data for the white-egg and brown-egg strains with regard to these management factors. Detailed results by strain are available on the following Web site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_info.html#layer. The performance for the 3-bird or 4-bird cage groups for either type of layer was similar, except that birds in 4-bird cages had higher feed consumption in the first production phase than did the birds in 3-bird cages. In the same time period the white-egg birds in the 3-bird cages had a greater percentage of cracked eggs and a smaller percentage of Grade A large eggs than those in 4-bird cages. No differences were observed in egg income for the 2 population sizes for either type of layer. However, due to their higher feed consumption, the white egg birds in the 4-bird cages had higher feed cost per hen for the first cycle, which was offset by the egg income component due to their increased production rate. The molted layers outperformed the nonmolted layers for both types of layers in terms of overall income over feed costs. The FR molted hens, under a program that has traditionally been used by commercial producers, outperformed NF-molted hens, indicating that further refinements are needed to make the NF program economically competitive with the FR molting program.     

Early and temporary quantitative food restriction of broiler chickens. 2. Effects on allometric growth and growth hormone secretion

1. An experiment was conducted with male broiler chickens to investigate the effect of different early food restriction programmes on proportional weights and allometric growth coefficients of carcase parts and on pulsatile growth hormone secretion. 2. At 4 d of age the animals were restricted to 80% or 90% of the ad libitum intake for 4 d or 80% for 8 d. When the restriction was finished, all birds received ad libitum food again. 3. On d 1, 8, 11, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42, from each group 8 birds were weighed, stunned and killed and the weights of the stomachs, liver, heart, sternum, right thigh, right drumstick, breast and abdominal fat pad were determined. On d 29, 30, 31, 32 serial blood samples of 2 birds from each group were taken to determine the plasma growth hormone (GH) content. 4. Only the most severe restriction resulted in a tendency for the stomachs to mature earlier and the thighs to mature later. No other significant effect on the allometric coefficients could be observed. 5. It is concluded that during the restriction the birds give priority to the development of the supply organs such as the stomach, which are more important during early development at the expense of the demand tissues like breast and thigh. 6. No significant differences concerning the GH secretory parameters could be observed.     

Monitoring the Immune Status of Broilers Against Reoviruses Using Challenge and Serologic Data

Reoviruses are an important cause of suboptimum performance in commercial broilers worldwide. Integrators use the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against the S1133 antigen for monitoring serum of breeders for indicating pullet vaccine success. However, without correlating serology to reovirus challenge, it is difficult to determine whether titers reflect protective immunity. We developed a broiler challenge test against 2 common reovirus isolates (2408 and S1133) to evaluate the efficacy of reovirus pullet vaccine programs. Two reovirus serologic and challenge studies were undertaken using chicks from broiler integrators from the southeastern United States. Breeder flocks, from which the chicks were obtained, received at least 1 live and 2 inactivated reovirus vaccines during their pullet phase. One-day-old progeny were collected from 6 breeder flocks. At 1 d of age, 20 chicks from each broiler flock were bled, and serum was analyzed for antibodies. At 3 to 4 d of age, 20 progeny per flock were challenged with the 2408 reovirus by intratracheal route. At 10 to 14 d of age, another 20 birds per flock were challenged with the S1133 reovirus by footpad. Twenty birds per flock were used as nonchallenged controls. At 3 wk of age, all birds were killed and weighed. Percentage of protection was calculated for each flock based on the absence of gross lesions. Flocks with at least 50% protection were considered well protected. Most flocks were well protected against both viruses. The percentage of protection correlated with day-old enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers. Chicks from younger hens had higher titers and the best protection against challenge. Producers, whose hen flocks were monitored herein, were doing a good job of immunizing pullets against reovirus. They are now using reovirus progeny challenge studies along with breeder antibody titers to determine vaccination success of their pullets.     

Relationships between body weight at first mating and subsequent body development,feed intake,and reproductive performance of rabbit does

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the relationships between BW at first insemination and subsequent body development, feed intake, reproductive performance, and culling rate of rabbit does. Young rabbit does are vulnerable to body energy deficit in first lactation, resulting in decreased reproductive performance and high replacement rate. Heavy does at first insemination might be able to benefit from the extra amount of BW to cope with the energy deficit during first lactation. Data of three experiments were used in which does were given ad libitum access to feed during rearing and inseminated at 14.5 wk of age. The first two parities of each doe were recorded. Does were categorized in three groups based on their BW at 14.5 wk of age (first insemination): heavy (BW > or = 4,000 g), medium (BW 3,500 to 4,000 g), and small (BW < 3,500 g). Among does that kindled, differences in BW at first insemination were related to differences in voluntary feed intake and body growth rate during rearing. Heavy does consumed more feed per day (+ 45 g/d, P < 0.001) and had a higher BW gain (+ 12 g/d, P < 0.001) than small does from weaning (4.5 wk) to 14.5 wk of age. Body weight at first insemination did not affect BW, feed intake, and culling rate during the first two parities. Heavy does were heavier at first insemination and remained so throughout the reproductive period, but they followed a similar BW curve as medium and small does. A higher BW at first insemination (14.5 wk of age) improved litter size in the first parity (8.9, 7.7, and 6.4 for heavy, medium, and small does, respectively, P < 0.05). Extra BW at start of reproduction improves litter size in the first parity but does not contribute to an improved feed intake or increased BW development during reproduction.     

Effect of energy and protein levels on performance,egg quality,and nutrient digestibility of laying pigeons

A total of 3,240 female Taisheng pigeons at 40 wk age were fed 9 diets containing 3 ME levels (2,630, 2,770, and 2,940 kcal/kg) and 3 CP levels (14.0, 15.0, and 16.0%) in a factorial arrangement. These diets were fed to investigate the effects of ME and CP on performance, egg quality, and nutrient digestibility. Female pigeons were housed under the same managerial conditions and randomly assigned into 9 treatments (6 replicates of 60 birds each). Two female–female paired pigeons housed in one cage were under a 16L:8D lighting cycle. Feed in pellet form and water were provided for ad libitum consumption. The study lasted 12 wk. As dietary ME level increased from 2,630 to 2,940 kcal/kg, BW, egg production, and apparent DM, crude fat (CF), and phosphorus (i.e., P) digestibilities increased (P < 0.05), feed intake decreased (P < 0.05), and feed conversion efficiency increased (P < 0.05). Increasing the level of dietary protein from 14 to 16% resulted in an increased (P < 0.05) BW, shell percentage, length of the major axis, and DM digestibility. Therefore, dietary ME had a greater influence on the performance of Taisheng laying pigeons than did dietary protein.     

Effects of pre- and postpubertal feeding on production traits at first and second estrus in gilts

The effects of feeding level on body weight (BW), lifetime growth rate, backfat thickness (BF), fatness (BF/BW) and ovulation rate at first (puberty) and second estrus were examined in 145 gilts. From 47.2 kg until puberty, gilts were fed 2.0 kg/d (L) or had ad libitum access to feed (H). From puberty to second estrus, the feed allowance of one-half of the L gilts was increased to 2.8 kg/d. Flush-feeding only normalized ovulation rate (OR) to that observed in gilts with ad libitum access to feed. At puberty, a quadratic negative relationship between lifetime growth rate and age indicated that age at puberty was minimum at a growth rate of less than or equal to .60 kg/d. Thereafter, age at puberty became independent of, or possibly positively related to, lifetime growth rate. Gilts with higher lifetime growth rate also were heavier and fatter at puberty. It was concluded that puberty may have been attained when a certain BF or fatness was achieved, because growth rate of restricted-fed gilts and quickly growing gilts with ad libitum access to feed may have been associated with reduced fat deposition. Hence, maximizing growth rate in replacement gilts does not hasten the attainment of puberty. Growth rate may be manipulated by feed restriction, in order to attain a target BW at boar stimulation (approximately 90 kg), which would coincide with a minimum age (approximately 155 d) and BW at puberty (approximately 97 kg). Nutritional flushing during the first estrous cycle then could be used to normalize OR at mating at second estrus of gilts that were restricted-fed when prepubertal.