Influence of diet and commingling on performance parameters in replacement broiler breeders following live oocyst coccidiosis vaccination
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Two consecutive experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary composition, with respect to protein concentration and amino acid profile in the starter diet, on performance parameters after coccidiosis vaccination in 2 genetic lines of replacement broiler breeders (Line A and Line B) through 6 wk of age. Dietary formulation was based on either primary breederspecific recommendations or formulations of a broiler integrator participating in the study. All replacement breeders were weighed weekly to determine average BW and pen uniformity. On d 28, males of each genetic line were added to female pens to evaluate the effect of commingling on male performance. During experiment 1, differences in BW were not observed in males or females of Line A; however, flock uniformity was improved (P 0.05) in Line A males fed the integrator diet. Increased BW and improved uniformity of Line B females was observed with the breeder-recommended diet. Commingling negatively affected (P 0.05) male BW in both genetic lines. In experiment 2, diet affected average BW in Line A males, Line B males, and Line B females; however, no effect on final flock uniformity was observed. Line A males fed the breeder-recommended diet had increased (P 0.05) BW at termination of the experiment. Line B males and females fed the breeder-recommended diet had increased (P 0.05) BW throughout the experiment. Similar to experiment 1, negative effects (P 0.05) on male BW resulting from commingling were observed. These data indicate that commingling negatively affects male BW and that flock performance can be influenced by dietary composition depending on genetic line and sex in replacement broiler breeders vaccinated with a live oocyst coccidiosis vaccine. 2011 Poultry Science Association, Inc.
