A Comparison of the Daily Energy Needs of the Normal and Dwarf Broiler Breeder Hen

Abstract

Feeding trials were conducted to determine optimum daily calorie intake needs for broiler breeder hens of normal and dwarf (dw) genetic lines. Pullets were grown to 24 weeks of age with limited feed intake and placed on one of five series of energy intakes. Series 3 represented a composite of energy intakes suggested by major broiler breeders with Series 1 and 2 representing a slower rate of energy increase and Series 4 and 5 representing more rapid rates. It was found that energy intakes suggested by a composite of the recommendations by the major breeders resulted in performance equal or superior to that of other groups tested. Using prediction equations the maximum daily needs for energy for normal sized hens was 422 M.E. kcal./day, with 418 mg./day of lysine and 380 mg./day of methionine.