Effect of different feeding schedules on reproductive parameters and egg quality of broiler breeders

• Feeding schedule at 3 p.m. reduced egg production in broiler breeders.
• Hens fed at 3 p.m. had better egg specific gravity, eggshell and eggshell thickness.
• Hens fed at 3 p.m. showed biggest weight of egg and yolk than hens fed at 8 a.m.
• The feeding schedules not affected the bacterial contamination on eggshells.
• Hens fed at 8 a.m. presented less embryonic mortality.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of three feeding schedules on egg production and egg quality of broiler breeders. The feeding schedules were: a single feeding at 8:00 a.m.; twice daily feeding (50% at 8:00 a.m. and 50% at 3:00 p.m.) and single feeding at 3:00 p.m. The total, 546 females and 63 males Cobb 500 broiler breeders were used from 28 to 40 weeks of age. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 3 treatments of 7 replicates with 26 females and 3 males. The nutritional requirements and management were according to the recommendations of the guideline. The following parameters were assessed weekly: total egg production, hatchable eggs, egg specific gravity, weight of egg shell, yolk, and albumen, as well as eggshell thickness. To measure the egg shell contamination was evaluated the aerobic mesophilic bacteria and total coliforms at 28, 32 and 36 week of age. Twenty three incubations were performed to evaluate fertility and incubation parameters. Laying rate was determined by 6 daily collections over the experimental period. Broiler breeders fed once in the afternoon had lower egg production than others feeding schedules. Hens fed once the afternoon had higher specific gravity (P = 0.0063), shell weight (P = 0.0009) and eggshell thickness (P = 0.0001) than others. Similarly, hens fed once in the afternoon had more egg (P = 0.0022) and yolk weight (P = 0.0314) than hens fed in the morning. On the other hand, hens fed in the morning had the lowest embryonic mortality and increased hatchability of fertile egg. Broiler breeders fed at the late period of day had better parameters on eggs quality, no change on bacterial contamination than the others feeding schedules, however, it had the worst results in the embryonic mortality and hatchability of eggs.