Effect of nutrient intake on performance of dwarf broiler breeders.

An experiment was undertaken to test the response of dwarf broiler pullets when fed on two planes of nutrition in the growing period and fed either a 17 or 19% protein diet in the breeder house. Pullets offered 20% more feed in the growing period were heavier at 21 weeks of age and reached 50% egg production 2 weeks earlier than birds fed the regular diet. Pullets fed 20% more feed in the growing period and full-fed to 26 weeks in the laying house, gained appreciably more weight, and although they came into production faster, were less persistent in lay than birds fed the regular diet. There was no difference in egg production, egg size, or body composition of dwarfs fed 17 or 19% breeder diets.