Modeling growth, sexual maturation and egg production of broiler breeders

Abstract

Broiler breeder hens feature frequency distribution of non-normal egg laying and considerable lipid reserves. This latter aspect has been the motivation for his benefit several studies on reproduction and deleterious effect when present in excess. This work will adjust the growth, sexual maturation and egg production of broiler breeders by allometric models and Gompertz. For this, tests will be conducted separately to monitor the growth, sexual maturation and egg production in time. In the growth phase (1-25 weeks), sexual maturation (18-28 weeks) and production (24-60 weeks). In the growth phase will be used Cobb 960 arrays from 1 day old to 25 weeks underwent five feeding programs distributed in a completely randomized design with 8 replicates of 20 birds per replicate. To stage of sexual maturation, growth of reproductive organs and liver will be held the second test, following the same design with eight replications of 18 birds per repetition, will be held weekly slaughterings of 5 birds / week. To describe the production of eggs arrays 60 are used, each experimental unit bird using the same experimental design. Egg production will be determined according to the rate of egg and egg components (yolk, albumen and shell) as a function of age. The rate of egg production will be determined by the sequences of oviposition, number and duration of pauses. Functions Allometric non-isometric will be applied to predict egg weight. Egg weight is obtained by summing the three components yolk + albumen + shell. The data will be analyzed in SAS ® 9.0. Thus, model these phenomena can enable correction the amount of feed provided throughout the growth and production while minimizing the effects of irregular posture of these birds. (AU)