Effects of Dietary Restriction on Reproductive Performance of Broiler Breeder Males

Abstract

Hubbard X Hubbard broiler breeder males were raised to 30 weeks of age following the Management Guide for the Hubbard White Mountain Male (Hubbard Farms, 1979). From 30 to 54 weeks of age, males were provided with five different levels of feed intake. The level recommended by the guide (154 g/bird/day) was designated to be the control level (100%). Other levels were 115, 85, 70, and 55% of the control. The effects of feed intake on body weight, fertility, hatchability, semen volume, and testes size were determined. No significant effects of feed intake were noted on fertility or hatchability. Body weights were significantly decreased as feed intake was decreased. Semen volume was greatest for males fed 85% of the control, while birds fed the control had the largest testes as a percentage of body weight. Males receiving the control feed gained only 28 g over 24 weeks, indicating that approximately 458 kcal/bird/day is adequate for maintaining body weight.