Every-day feeding programs have benefits for broiler-breeder pullets as they approach sexual maturity, according to University of Georgia research.
In work presented at the 2023 International Poultry Scientific Forum, birds fed every day, rather than a skip-a-day regime, had higher bone-mineral density and carcass-fat content, as well as better eggshell quality and hatch of fertile eggs during lay.
With industry-wide improvements in feed efficiency, producers often employ skip-a-day feeding regimens to help manage bodyweight gain. The team of scientists set out to explore whether this was having any effects on reproductive fitness.
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