New approach needed for consistent broiler breeder performance

b y D r C H E T W I E R N U S Z , D i r e c t o r o f N u t r i t i o n , C o b b - Va n t r e s s , I n c .
Broiler breeder management can be a complicated area and one should not expect consistent flock performance to occur by focusing on only one or two variables. When assessing egg production, most people focus on body weights and body weight gains and compare this to a standard body weight curve. This is largely an ineffective technique because pullet body weight is a crude indicator of subsequent hen performance. If it were that simple, over time every flock would follow the same body weight program. Excellent egg production is achieved across a host of body weights; therefore body weight must not be as significant as some experts believe. Simply examining body weights in a best vs. worst egg production comparison is of minimum value (Figure 1). Body weight
Pullet Body Weights 440,000 Hens 485,000 Hens Body Weight

focus
T E C H N I C A L
Volume Eleven, Number One measurements should be used as a check and balance of the breeder program and has value in two distinct areas. First, birds must have a minimum amount of muscle content at light stimulation and body weight is one means of evaluating this process. Secondly, all breeder studies comparing high and low body weights that have been completed through Cobb research indicate that body weight at light stimulation is positively correlated with egg production (Figure 2, on page 2). From an egg production standpoint, it is beneficial to err on the side of heavier rather than lower body weights. The core factor influencing flock performance is nutrient intake, not body weight. It appears that our current recommendations have been correct but have somewhat overlooked the process of Figure 1. Analysis of 925,000 hens comparing pullet body weights of good and poor producing flocks within the same complex and time period. There is a 21 TE/HH difference between these two groups (disaster flocks have been removed). Very little differences in body weights are evident, signifying that there are more important variables that influence egg production.

Dr Chet Wiernusz is the director of nutrition for Cobb-Vantress. He joined Cobb in 1997 with a MS in Animal Science and a PhD in Animal Nutrition from Oklahoma State University. He has worked extensively with the Cobb genetic pure lines to determine the optimum nutritional requirements of the Cobb product lines. He has traveled both domestically and internationally presenting seminars and visiting with Cobb-Vantress customers on broiler and broiler breeder nutritional management.

attaining adequate energy intakes during specific periods of a breeders life. We have been letting body weight determine how much to feed but in reality it should be, within reason, the opposite. Supplying adequate nutrients at appropriate times provides a flock with positive wellbeing signals to produce the correct building

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NEW APPROACH NEEDED FOR CONSISTENT BROILER BREEDER PERFORMANCE

blocks for good production. Timing is critical. Increased nutrient consumption at the wrong time will elevate mortality, reduce peak egg production and overall production. The following recommendations are created from breeder studies conducted by Cobb-Vantress and a review of worldwide customer data. Figure 2. Body weights at light stimulation effects on egg production (adapted from Jeanna Wilson, University of Georgia).
Egg Production
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Peak egg production critical

The analysis needs to begin in the hen house since this is where the results are generated. The complete egg production cycle is critical but peak egg production determines the sold flock performance 75% of the time. In other words, if a flock peaks poorly it has a 75% chance of having poor life of flock results. For every 1% increase in peak production, an addition of 1.6 TE/HH will be achieved. Factors occurring after peak are important but less critical as it relates to egg production. The intake of energy from light stimulation to first egg can have a dramatic effect on survivability and subsequent egg production.

% Production

1.9 kg (4.2 lb) 2.2 kg (4.5 lb)

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Aggressive feeding of a flock that is not ready for light stimulation will negatively affect flock performance. The same aggressive feeding of a flock that is ready will have no negative consequences. Light

stimulation is one input that a successful breeder flock must have but from this time until peak production the hen must receive controlled wellbeing signals via energy intake. The response of the hen to light stimulation is determined by its wellbeing or general condition. The wellbeing signal is defined as all variables (defined and as of yet undefined) that positively impact the hens performance. After light stimulation, controlling nutrient intake is the primary driver defining the wellbeing of the bird. Todays breeder diets oversupply the pullet and hen with all nutrients except for metabolizable energy, therefore energy is the limiting nutrient. Energy must be elevated during the flocks climb to peak egg production but high amounts of body weight coupled with increases in egg production will elevate mortality and lower total egg production. The amount of energy supplied can exceed the hens oxidative capacity to convert feed energy into tissue and egg mass, causing elevated mortality and unneeded stress.

Muscle mass key component

Body weight is a crude measure of hen wellbeing. The hens lean mass content (fleshing) is a critical component of wellbeing. The minimum lean (muscle) mass required at light stimulation is 1.9 and 2.1 kg (4.2 and 4.6 lb) for the C500 and C700 hens, respectively. Although muscle mass is the key component, a typical body weight to reach the critical muscle mass is 2.2 and 2.3 kg (4.85 and 5.10 lb) for the C500 and C700 hens, respectively. If a flock contains a small number of underweight birds at light
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NEW APPROACH NEEDED FOR CONSISTENT BROILER BREEDER PERFORMANCE

stimulation, these body weight targets may be slightly lowered. The C700 product requires an increased muscle mass and will have a higher lean mass/body weight ratio compared to the C500 hen. The total amount of fat required for hen wellbeing is insignificant under todays management system. Fat is required for proper reproductive development but like many things more is not always better. Studies have suggested that a minimum amount of carcass fat is required for proper sexual maturity. The period of accelerated feed intake and body weight gain from weeks 15 weeks of age to light stimulation allows hens to have enough fat reserve for proper reproductive system development. Figure 3. The effects of weekly feed increases post light stimulation on hen mortality (21-30 weeks of age).
Weekly Feed Increase
3.5 3.0

Pounds of Feed

2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0 20 21 22 23 24 25

Average weekly 0.50% mortality 0.17% mortality

Light stimulation
During the timeframe between light stimulation and 5% egg production, energy intake is negatively correlated with hen survivability (Figure 3). Assuming the correct muscle mass was achieved at light stimulation, hens need relatively low energy increases during this period. This is not the right time to try and correct an error associated with improper pullet management. If a flock is not ready for light stimulation, it is much more beneficial to delay light stimulation than to aggressively feed the flock after light stimulation. The focus during this period should be on reducing stress related to transfer, along with emphasis on reproductive system development rather than body weight gain. An average weekly energy increase should be no more than 9 kcal/bird during this period. The Cobb hen is very efficient at producing an egg. Not including the energy content of the egg, the hen only requires 11 kcal/egg. Adding the energy content of the egg, the hen requires 2.11 kcal per gram of egg weight (Table 1). Thus, for a hen laying a 60 gram egg, the energy needed to produce and lay this egg is 127 kcal. As egg production and egg size increases, its logical to assume that the energy needs of the flock increases. For every 5% egg production, a flock requires an increase of

Weeks of Age

7.5 kcal/hen/day of metabolizable energy. The 7.5 kcal/day increase already includes the energy needed for body weight gain. If the egg production responds to more aggressive energy intakes, then the flocks wellbeing has been compromised and undue stress and elevated mortality will occur. The error most likely occurred during pullet rearing and the pullet program must be adjusted to eliminate this stress. Post-peak management is important, but not as critical as pre-peak management. Body weights must be monitored, as excessive body weights may decrease fertility and hatchability. For every 5% drop in egg production the flock will require a decrease of 7 kcal/day of energy intake. There is a slight difference in pre- and postpeak energy amounts for egg production due to the fact that egg size and body weight are larger and body weight gain is decreased. When withdrawing feed, it may be necessary to prevent flocks from perceiving a large reduction in energy intake. It is better to be less aggressive in feed withdrawal than too aggressive as long as peak feed is not excessively high. If aggressive feed withdrawal does not affect egg production, peak feed amounts must be adjusted lower. Absolute feed or energy intakes have not

been mentioned. The energy requirement (keep in mind energy is the limiting variable) for body weight gain and egg production is constant under most environments. Energy required for maintenance is highly variable and determined via body weight, ambient temperature exposure, immune system status, etc. From a practical view point, energy increases required for egg production should be added to the energy intake at the start of egg production. This accounts for maintenance energy differences as well as miscalculations in dietary metabolizable energy. In other words, peak energy amounts must float on an individual flock basis and never be a fixed amount.

Correlated egg production

The most critical time of flocks life is the time prior to light stimulation. Unfortunately, this period covers 5 months (the complete time in rearing) and many factors can influence the wellbeing of the flock. It can be overwhelming to analyze this period as a whole. Breaking this period into segments is a much more manageable proposition and reveals that there are certain periods during the pullet rearing cycle when certain events must occur and other periods which are less critical. Energy intake and muscle accretion are highly correlated to egg production and have the most impact on performance. For the most part, body weights are of minimal consequence during this period. The only time that crude protein and amino acid intake are truly limiting is during the first few weeks of a chicks life. Increased crude protein intake will improve

Table 1. Daily energy needs of a Cobb broiler breeder

3.4 kg Cobb hen Body weight gain (5 g/day) 60 g egg: x 2.11 kcal/g of egg weight Total kcal/day 282 kcal (maintenance and activity) 14.3 126.6 422.9 3

NEW APPROACH NEEDED FOR CONSISTENT BROILER BREEDER PERFORMANCE

energy increases still need to take place. The correction of heavy body weights needs to take place prior to 10 weeks of age. Cumulative Average BW In the past, Cobb has recommended Protein (g) BW CV Bottom 25% feeding pullets on a sigmoid type of 209 540 11 462 curve even though the body weight 178 479 13 399 curve is somewhat linear. This 164 431 20 319 reasoning is sound but less emphasis 426 25 288 159 should be placed on body weight. From 149 409 29 257 14 weeks of age to light stimulation, 140 394 23 278 the weekly increase of energy should average 18 kcal/bird/day. Body weights 136 387 25 264 must still be monitored, since they 127 368 30 230 provide us with a indicator of Robert Teeter, Oklahoma State University maintenance needs and environmental stress. Metabolizable energy increases flock uniformity but also increase body may be adjusted higher to achieve the weights (Table 2). Heavy body weights early minimum body weight standard but never will require a higher degree of feed lowered. Muscle accretion during this restriction later. From an individual bird period is important but energy intake is perspective, it is better to be underweight probably the most important event. Under early and allow for less feed restriction practical diets, muscle accretion is limited later. From a flock standpoint, there is a by energy intake. fine line between having good flock uniformity and heavy body weights. One Energy intake primary factor misconception is that a chick with high Most breeder experts have focused on amounts of skeletal mass early will cause a body weight and body weight gain to need for a larger bird at light simulation. In improve egg production. The main focus fact, the pullet only has 5% of its total should be placed on managing the bird mature skeletal mass produced at 4 weeks according to the environmental conditions of age and subsequent growth has a much and always keeping in mind what the greater impact on frame size. Energy intake from 10 to 14 weeks of age is an important factor affecting breeder flock performance. Flock analysis has revealed that increasing energy intakes during this time boosts egg production regardless of body weight gains. Obviously body weight and energy intake are positively correlated but the body weight gains are less critical compared with the energy intake. The energy bump required during this period is possibly associated with some type of metabolic/catabolic learning for future energy partitioning during egg production. An average weekly energy increase of at least 7 kcal/bird/day during weeks 10-14 is required. If body weights are below target, weekly energy increases of greater than 7 kcal/day are required. When body weights are at or above standard, the 7 kcal/day weekly Table 2. Protein consumption effect on flock uniformity (through 28 days)
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objectives are. One should not attempt to manage or troubleshoot flock performance by only comparing body weights to a standard body weight which is printed in a manual. Each flock is different but each requires similar wellbeing signals. Achieving consistent flock performance requires the magnitude of the wellbeing signals to change based on the situation. There are numerous variables impacting breeder performance but the primary factor to successful broiler breeder performance is energy intake. Managing flocks based on accumulated energy intakes over long periods of time is inadequate. There are certain time frames (4-6 weeks in length) of a breeders life when energy intake should be controlled tightly and other periods when energy intake should be less restricted. Every week of a pullets life is important. However, flock wellbeing is validated during the ages of 10 weeks to first egg. As our knowledge of the bird increases, breeder recommendations must be based on the environmental conditions. Modeling will provide a greater understanding of how the breeder hen functions and will allow us to make breeder recommendations based on the environment, housing and management conditions. One breeder program will not fit all flocks and what works for one customer will not necessarily work for another. This paper does not refute current recommendations, as demonstrated by annual improvement in breeder performance. However, focusing solely on body weights and to a certain extent on fleshing has restricted our progress in improving flock performance and achieving consistent results. This paper has been written based on breeder experiments conducted by Cobb-Vantress over a number of years. In addition, data from customer flocks were used to verify the trial results. The theories expressed in this paper are based on data, however the absolute numbers have been extrapolated from numerous sources and may need to be modified based on specific circumstances. cobb-vantress.com