Effect of feed form and nutrient density on growth performance, blood parameters, and intestinal traits in broiler breeder pullets

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feed form and nutrient density on growth performance, blood parameters, and intestinal traits of broiler breeder pullets during grower (7–19 wk) and pre-breeder (19 weeks to 5% production) periods. A total of 450 female broiler breeder pullets were used in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement including 3 feed forms (mash, crumble, and pellet) and 2 nutrient densities (standard diet with the nutrient requirement of Ross 308 parent stock nutrition specification, and diluted diet by using sunflower hull to have 10% lower nutrient than the standard diet). Five replicates with 15 pullets per replicate were allocated to each of the 6 treatments. Blood samples were collected at 19 wk of age. Egg production reached 5% in the mid of 25 wk. Results showed that pullets fed crumble or pellet diets had greater body weight gain and a lower feed to gain ratio (F:G; P 0.05). It can be concluded that pelleted or crumbled diets with lower nutrient density can be considered in broiler breeder's pullets feeding with no detrimental effect on their performance or health state.

Keywords

• broiler breeder
• diet form
• fiber source
• pellet
• crumble