Identity

Developmental feeding phase designed to carefully manage the growth curve of Parent Stock birds prior to sexual maturity.

Overview

Breeder Grower emphasizes controlled skeletal and reproductive growth, ensuring the flock reaches optimal physical condition and uniformity prior to initiating hatching egg production. Strict qualitative or quantitative feed restriction programs are implemented, supported by high levels of structural, insoluble fiber (9.0%) to encourage gut distension and satiety. The grower-to-pre-layer transition also involves increasing calcium from 1.0% to 2.0% to load medullary bone reserves.

Structured Facts

Classification

Feeding Phase > Breeder; Breeder Feeds > Parent Stock Rearing Rations.

Biological Functions

Synchronizes physical and endocrinological sexual maturity, manages growth curves, loads medullary bone reserves, and encourages gut distension and satiety.

Nutritional Requirements

Strict body weight control using high levels of structural, insoluble fiber (9.0%). Minimum 16.0% crude protein, with a calcium increase from 1.0% to 2.0% during the pre-lay transition.

Deficiency

• Economic Impact: Reduced long-term fertility.

Toxicity

• Clinical Signs: Overweight/obese pullets accumulate lipid deposits in the liver and ovarian stroma, causing erratic follicular maturation, double-yolked eggs, and peritonitis.

Feed Phase Requirements

• Pre-Starter: Not applicable
• Starter: Not applicable
• Grower: Not applicable
• Finisher: Not applicable
• Breeder: Pre-lay development.
• Layer: Not applicable

Quantitative Data

• Requirement: Crude Protein, Calcium.
• Minimum Level: Crude Protein: 16.0%; Calcium: 1.0% (Grower) to 2.0% (Pre-Layer).
• Maximum Level: Moisture: 11.0%; Crude Fibre: 9.0%.
• Unit: Percentage (%) by mass (dry matter basis).

Relationships

• Related Nutrients: Calcium.
• Diseases: Obesity, Peritonitis, Erratic Follicular Maturation.
• Breeds: Parent Stock (Broiler and Layer).
• Production Stages: Pre-Lay Development.