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1.
1. Shaver White and ISA Brown pullets were reared to 140 d in groups of 8 in cages on a 10-h photoperiod of incandescent light and maintained at an illuminance of 3 or 25 lux, or transferred from 3 to 25 lux or from 25 to 3 lux at 63 or 112 d of age. 2. There was no significant difference in sexual maturity, measured as eggs per 100 bird.d at 139 and 140 d, for ISA Brown maintained on 3 or 25 lux, but Shaver White pullets exposed to constant 3 lux matured significantly later than those maintained on 25 lux. 3. In Shaver Whites, sexual maturity was significantly delayed by an increase from 3 to 25 lux at 63 and 112 d, and advanced by a decrease from 25 to 3 lux at 112 d. Sexual maturity of ISA Browns was not significantly affected by a change in illuminance at 63 or 112 d, though responses were in the same direction as for Shaver Whites. 4. In both breeds, total feed consumed to 112 d was higher for birds on 3 lux than 25 lux, but lower between 112 d and 140 d when birds on 25 lux underwent rapid sexual development. In both breeds, body weight at 63 d was higher for birds exposed to 3 lux than 25 lux, but body weight gain thereafter was similar for the two light intensities. 5. In both breeds, plasma luteinising hormone (LH) concentration at 63 and 112 d was lower in birds maintained on 3 lux than 25 lux. At 63 and 112 d, transfers from 25 to 3 lux depressed, whereas transfers from 3 to 25 lux at 63 d, but not at 112 d, increased plasma LH. 6. Advances or delays in sexual maturity induced by changes in illuminance were not correlated with differences in feed intake, body weight gain, or with changes in plasma LH. 7. One possible explanation for the inverse relationship between the direction of change in illuminance at 63 and 112 d in pullets exposed to a 10-h photoperiod and the age at which they became sexually mature is that changes in light intensity and/or spectral composition affect the entrainment of the circadian rhythm of photoinducibility, to effect a phase shift in the photoinducible phase and/or the responsiveness of phototransduction pathways.  相似文献   

2.
1. Broiler breeders were reared in light-proof accommodation on 8-h photoperiods at an illuminance of 10 (W10), 40 (W40) or 100 lux (W100) from warm-white fluorescent lamps, or 10 lux (UV10) from Arcadia bird lamps (white light plus UV-A emission). At 20 weeks, 200 birds from each group were transferred to open-sided housing and a 16-h mixture of natural and warm-white fluorescent light. 2. Mortality during rearing and body weight at 20 weeks were similar for all groups. 3. The W10 birds matured 2 d later, had inferior rates of lay over peak production and laid 9 fewer eggs to 60 weeks than the other groups. Mean egg weight, extra large egg production and mortality between 20 and 60 weeks were unaffected by lighting during the rearing period. The UV10 birds had a significantly better rate of lay between 52 and 60 weeks than any of the groups reared on white light. 4. The findings suggest that ultraviolet radiation does not directly affect hypothalamic activity, but that retinally received UV during the rearing period prolongs the laying cycle through a modification of the hormonal control of photorefractoriness.  相似文献   

3.
1. Photorefractoriness was assessed in two lines of broiler breeders. In one trial, male-line and female-line pullets were reared on the floor and transferred to individual cages at 15 weeks. Birds were either maintained on 8-, 11- or 16-h photoperiods or transferred from 8- to 16-h photoperiods at 67 or 124 d. In the second trial, female-line pullets were concurrently housed in the same rearing facilities as trial 1 and transferred to adult floor-pens at 12 weeks. These birds were either maintained on 11- or 16-h photoperiods or transferred from 8- to 11-h or from 8- to 16-h photoperiods at 140 d. 2. In the cages, male-line and female-line birds responded similarly to the lighting treatments, but with the male-line maturing 1 to 2 weeks later than the female-line in each case. Birds on constant 11-h photoperiods matured 3 to 8 d earlier than constant 8-h birds, but 3 weeks earlier than constant 16-h birds. Birds photostimulated at 67 d matured at a similar time to constant 16-h birds, but almost 7 weeks later than those transferred from 8 to 16 h at 124 d. In the floor facilities, constant 11-h birds matured 3 weeks earlier than constant 16-h birds, but almost 2 weeks later than either of the photostimulated groups. Birds transferred from 8 to 16 h matured 4d earlier than those transferred from 8 to 11 h. 3. Caged birds maintained on 16 h or transferred from 8 to 16 h at 67 d laid at least 24 fewer eggs, and had more hens not laying at 58 weeks, than birds maintained on 11-h days or those transferred from 8 to 16 h at 124 d. In the floor-pens, constant 11-h and both photostimulated groups produced about 20 more eggs to 56 weeks of age than the constant 16-h controls. 4. Collectively, these findings indicate that conventionally managed broiler breeders exhibit photorefractoriness. Additionally, a combination of photorefractoriness and controlled feeding appears to prevent broiler breeders from being photoresponsive until at least 10 weeks of age, and to cause some individuals still to be photoperiodically non-responsive at 18 weeks.  相似文献   

4.
1. Broiler breeders were given a 3-h increase in photoperiod to 11 h at 20 week and then a series of increases to reach 16 or 17 h either immediately after the initial increment or in 30-min, 1- or 2-h increments starting at various ages after peak rate of lay. Controls were maintained on 11 h from 20 weeks. Changes in plasma LH concentration (after 7 d) were measured in birds that had been transferred to 11 or 16 h at 20 weeks and given further increases in photoperiod at 41 or 61 weeks of age. 2. Birds that were transferred to 16- or 17-h photoperiods, irrespective of when and how the maximum photoperiod was reached, had inferior rates of lay between 52 and 60 weeks of age to birds maintained on 11 h from 20 weeks. However, the 11-h birds laid more eggs on the floor and produced a larger number of cracked and dirty eggs, resulting in similar numbers of settable eggs. 3. Although transferring birds from 11- to 16-h photoperiods at 41 weeks of age significantly increased plasma LH concentration, there was no effect on egg production during the ensuing 12 d. None of the other increases in photoperiod significantly increased plasma LH, whether given at 41 or 61 weeks. 4. It is concluded in broiler breeders, that increases in photoperiod applied during the laying period, from 11 or 16 h, have little or no effect on LH secretion, do not compensate for age-related declines in egg production, and adversely affect rate of lay.  相似文献   

5.
1. Broiler breeders were reared at an initial illuminance of 13, 21 or 44 lux and transferred at 20 weeks and a mean body weight of 2.06 kg to floor pens at 25, 55 or 71 lux, or to individual cages at various intensities between 3 and 138 lux.

2. Rate of sexual maturation was not significantly affected by the light intensity experienced during the rearing period, but was progressively accelerated by the provision of a brighter illuminance after 20 weeks, up to a ceiling of about 14 lux. There was no interaction between the pre- and post-20-week illuminance.

3. Cumulative egg numbers to 39 weeks were unaffected by illuminance in the rearing period, positively correlated with illuminance post 20 weeks up to an asymptote at about 8 lux, and highly correlated with age at sexual maturity. Peak rate of lay was both delayed and depressed at 3 lux.

4. It is concluded that the minimum light intensity required at bird-head height to achieve satisfactory photostimulation and an optimal peak rate of lay in broiler breeders is 10 lux, but that a higher illuminance would be prudent for broiler breeders kept in floor pen facilities to maximise nest-box usage.  相似文献   


6.
The effects of the growth curve from 15 to 20 weeks, age at photostimulation and pattern of photostimulus on sexual maturity, egg production and egg weight were evaluated in two trials with broiler breeder females to 56 and 34 weeks of age (housed in litter pens and individually caged, respectively). Carcase composition and reproductive morphology of hens varying in laying efficiency were measured in the second trial. Trial 1: Four growth curves were applied from 15 to 20 weeks to pullets housed in litter pens. Birds were transferred from 8- to 10-h photoperiods at 20 or 24 weeks of age, followed by weekly increments of one hour to reach a 16-h final photoperiod. Lower-than-recommended body weights at 20 weeks significantly delayed sexual maturity, reduced peak rate of lay, total eggs and mean egg weight. However, double-yolked egg production was lower, resulting in non-significant differences in settable egg numbers between body weight treatments. Birds reared to the heaviest body weight exhibited a significantly advanced sexual maturity, but total egg numbers, peak rate of lay and mean egg weight were not significantly affected. However, the laying of more double-yolked eggs resulted in a decrease in the number of settable eggs. Delaying photostimulation to 24 weeks significantly retarded sexual maturity, reduced total and settable egg numbers, and increased mean egg weight. A tendency for fewer double-yolked eggs was observed. Trial 2: At 19 weeks, birds were selected from the 4 body weight categories in Trial 1 and moved to individual cages in 8 rooms. Five lighting programmes were applied. The pattern of photostimulation applied did not affect any of the production traits measured. At 34 weeks, 24 birds were selected for the analysis of reproductive morphology, presence of internal or multiple ovulations, and carcase composition. Eight hens showing an early age at first egg and regular egg production records, 8 birds showing erratic laying performance and 8 non-layers were killed for this purpose. There were no differences in carcase composition or reproductive morphology between these groups. No internal ovulations or double or multiple ovarian hierarchies were observed. The results presented confirm that broiler breeders do not require a lighting stimulus in order to initiate ovarian activity and that, where no lighting stimulus is given, body weight or feeding level plays a critical role in stimulating the birds to attain sexual maturity. However, when a lighting stimulus is given, factors such as body weight and body composition become relatively less important in regulating the age at sexual maturity.  相似文献   

7.
1. A total of 4000 Ross broiler breeders were reared to a 20-week target body weight of 1.55, 2.16 (standard), 2.50 or 2.84 kg, using either a convex or concave growth curve. Each treatment group was either exposed to a conventional broiler breeder lighting regimen, with a series of weekly one-hour increments in photoperiod from 8h at 19 weeks to a 16-h maximum, or maintained from 4d on a 17-h photoperiod. 2. Each 100 g increment in body weight at 20 weeks was associated with a significant increase of 0.55 kg in cumulative food intake, and a 1.5-d advance in sexual maturity. However, leaner body weights at 20 weeks resulted in smaller body weight gains between 20 and 60 weeks (-2.4 g/d/kg body weight at 20 weeks), and an increased production of double-yolked eggs. Neither egg production nor mean egg weight was affected by 20-week body weight. 3. Birds fed to produce more rapid early growth had higher feed intakes to 20 weeks, but reached sexual maturity 7 d later than birds permitted accelerated growth from 15 weeks. Growth curve did not influence body weight gain in lay, egg production or mean egg weight. 4. Birds maintained on 17-h photoperiods reached sexual maturity 27 d later, produced 7 fewer eggs to 60 weeks, and had a mean egg weight 1.2 g heavier than birds photostimulated at 19 weeks. Lighting treatment did not affect food intake to 20 weeks, the proportion of double-yolked eggs or body weight gain between 20 and 60 weeks. 5. Birds fed to have a faster growth early in the rearing phase and maintained on 17-h photoperiods produced 11 fewer eggs than those fed to have accelerated growth at the end of the rearing phase, yet there was only one egg difference between the growth-curve groups for the conventionally lighted birds, which was not significant. 6. The earlier sexual maturity of the conventionally lighted birds compared with those maintained on 17-h photoperiods either indicates that broiler breeders require an increment in photoperiod to stimulate rapid gonadal development or that broiler breeders exhibit juvenile photorefractoriness that takes longer to be dissipated when birds are not given a period of short days. 7. The findings suggest that a nutritional stimulus late in rearing is only necessary for satisfactory egg production if birds have not received a concurrent increment in photoperiod.  相似文献   

8.
Lighting regimens and plasma LH and FSH in broiler breeders   总被引:8,自引:3,他引:5  
Egg production by meat-type fowl is markedly inferior to that from commercial laying hens, and so, to assess the degree to which photorefractoriness might be a contributing factor, male- and female-line broiler breeders were maintained on 8-, 11- or 16-h photoperiods. In addition, to determine the age-related rate of change in response to an increment in photoperiod, other birds were transferred from 8- to 16-h photoperiods at 67 or 124 d. Blood samples were taken from all groups, except those on constant 11-h photoperiods, in both genotypes at 67, 69, 124 and 126 d, and from all lighting groups in the female line at 58 weeks (end of trial), and the plasma was assayed for plasma luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration to investigate possible correlations with rate of sexual maturity, total egg numbers and terminal rates of lay. Prepubertal LH was consistently higher for the female line than for the male line, and higher for 16-h birds than for 8-h birds. At 69 and 126 d, LH values were not significantly different from those 2 d earlier for 8-h birds, but significantly reduced for 16-h birds. There was an increase in LH following photostimulation at 67 d, but no significant change after the 124-d light increase. There were no significant differences in FSH between the two genetic lines, nor any effect of photostimulation at 67 or 124 d. There was a tendency for FSH in 8-h birds to be higher than for 16-h birds, and this difference became significant for male-line birds at 67 d. At 58 weeks, LH was higher for constant 11- and 16-h birds and for birds photostimulated at 67 d than for constant 8-h controls or birds transferred from 8 to 16h at 124 d. Neither baseline nor photoinduced prepubertal changes in plasma LH nor FSH were found to be of value for predicting age at sexual maturity or subsequent rates of egg production. At 58 weeks, LH was not generally correlated with sexual maturity, total eggs or terminal rates of lay, however, there was a negative correlation with age at first egg in birds photostimulated at 124 d. It must be concluded that plasma LH and FSH concentrations are of minimal value to the broiler breeder industry for predicting the degree of photorefractoriness, the age at sexual maturity, or subsequent egg production.  相似文献   

9.
1. Brown-egg pullets were reared on 8-h photoperiods and temporarily transferred at 80 d of age to 14-h photoperiods for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 d. Controls were either maintained on 8 h or permanently transferred to 14 h at 80 d. 2. Pullets given 8 or 12 long days matured 8-9 d earlier than constant 8-h controls, but 22-23 d later than pullets transferred permanently to long days. Mean age at first egg for the groups given 2, 4, 6 or 10 d of 14-h days were not significantly different from the 8-h controls. The mean weight of first egg and body weight at first egg for the temporarily-photostimulated groups were not significantly different from constant 8-h controls, but egg weights were > or = 5.1 g and body weights at first egg > or = 200 g heavier than the birds transferred permanently to 14 h. 3. It is concluded that up to 6 temporary long days may be given (from 80 d of age) without affecting the timing of sexual maturity, but that the provision of 8 or more long days will accelerate sexual development, thought not to the extent of a permanent transfer, in most birds within a flock. A regression analysis of the ages at which the first and last birds in the groups given 6, 8, 10 or 12 long days matured suggested that about 20 d of photostimulation are required to achieve a mean age at first egg similar to that of birds permanently transferred to long days.  相似文献   

10.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of decreased light intensity and beak trimming on aggression prevention in laying hens. In total, 181 White Leghorns were used. At 17 weeks of age, 36 birds were allocated to battery cages (three birds/cage), 36 birds to furnished cages (four birds/cage), and 109 birds were transferred to an aviary. Since aggression increased in the birds from 23 weeks of age (from 0.3% to 6.0%) especially in the furnished cages, , the light intensity during the daytime was decreased to about one‐tenth (from 680 lux to 70 lux) at 28 weeks of age. The birds in the furnished cages then had their beaks re‐trimmed lightly by using a debeaker at 29 weeks of age. Behavioral observations using scanning techniques at 10 min intervals were conducted. Feed intake, bodyweight and feather score were also measured. There was no significant difference in aggression before and after decreasing the light in all three housing systems. On the other hand, the proportion of birds showing aggression decreased significantly just after trimming and four weeks after beak trimming in the furnished cages (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The aggression also became similar to the proportions observed in the battery cages and in the aviary. In proportion to the decreased aggression, the proportion of birds eating significantly decreased (P < 0.05). However, their feed intake and bodyweight did not decrease significantly. Against this decreased aggression, the proportion of birds preening significantly increased (P < 0.05). Aggression was observed more frequently at the dust bath in the furnished cages and at the litter floor in the aviary (both P < 0.001). The total feather score for all body parts in the birds in furnished cages increased significantly (P < 0.01) from 25 to 29 weeks of age (at beak trimming), but did not increase significantly from 29 to 33 weeks of age. The increments of neck, breast and tail feather scores in the furnished cages were smaller. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in aggression between just before and after decreasing the light in any housing system. However, aggression in the furnished cages was reduced not only by decreasing the light intensity, but by additional beak trimming. Aggravation of feather conditions – especially at the neck, breast and back – was prevented by the treatment.  相似文献   

11.
1. Two trials were conducted, using 288 brown-egg hybrid pullets in each, to determine the effect on age at first egg (AFE) of exposure to one or two 'long days' during the rearing period. In the first trial, birds were given a single 'long day' of 10, 12 or 14 h at 75, 89 or 103 d of age, with controls maintained on 8-h photoperiods. All treatment groups were transferred to cages at 110 d, and half the birds from each treatment combination given a 6-h increment in photoperiod at 116 d, with the remainder held on 8-h photoperiods. In the other trial, birds were given one or two long days of 14 or 16 h at 96, 107, 117 or 128 d of age; controls were again held on 8-h photoperiods. All groups were moved to cages at 130 d but maintained on 8-h photoperiods. 2. AFE was not significantly affected by one or two pre-pubertal long days, irrespective of when the long day was given or its length. AFE was advanced by 2 to 3 weeks following a transfer from 8 to 14 h at 116 d, independently of whether or not the birds had received a previous long day exposure. 3. It appears that a full-fed egg-type hybrid requires more than two cycles of long days to initiate rapid gonadal development, and that exposure to a single long day during the rearing period will have minimal effect on the timing of sexual maturation and no influence on the response to a subsequent permanent transfer to long days.  相似文献   

12.
1. Shaver White and ISA Brown pullets were reared to 140 d in cage groups of 8 on a 10-h photoperiod of incandescent light and maintained at an illuminance of 3 or 25 lux, or transferred from 3 to 25 lux or from 25 to 3 lux at 63 or 112 d of age. 2. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration at 63 and 112 d was higher in both breeds for pullets maintained at an illuminance of 25 lux compared with 3 lux. After 2-4 d, and relative to constant-illuminance controls, plasma FSH increased significantly for ISA Brown transferred from 3 to 25 lux at 63 d and for Shaver White transferred at 112 d. Irrespective of genotype, plasma FSH for pullets given a decrease in illuminance at 63 or 112 d showed a tendency for less change than did constant-illuminance controls. 3. There was no significant difference in sexual maturity for ISA Brown maintained on 3 or 25 lux, but Shaver White pullets exposed to constant 3 lux matured later than those maintained on 25 lux. Shaver White matured later following an increase from 3 to 25 lux at 63 and 112 d, and earlier subsequent to a decrease from 25 to 3 lux at 112 d. ISA Brown pullets were not significantly affected by a change in illuminance at 63 or 112 d, though their responses were in the same direction as Shaver White. 4. Changes in plasma FSH in the 2- to 4-d period following a change in illuminance at 63 or 112 d were not significantly correlated with sexual maturity.  相似文献   

13.
1. Two experiments were conducted to provide further evidence about rate of lay under the Cornell lighting system (2L:4D:8L:10D). Each used 1728 hens of each of 2 brown-egg stocks in 12 light-proof rooms. 2. In the first the Cornell system was compared at 2 light intensities (average values 2 and 10 lux) with a conventional step up lighting programme. In the second, Cornell lighting was introduced at 18, 21 or 24 weeks of age and compared with a step up programme. 3. Total egg output was essentially the same from the Cornell lighting system, using 10 h light/d, as from the step up programme using 16 h/d. When the Cornell system was applied abruptly at 18 weeks to pullets which had been reared on short days (8L:16D) sexual maturity was advanced, resulting in an increase in mean rate of lay to 72 weeks of age and a reduction in mean egg size. Application of the Cornell system from 21 or 24 weeks gave the same egg numbers and the same egg size as the step up programme. 4. Food intake was about 2% lower with the Cornell treatment in both experiments. Although this difference was not quite significant in either, it probably reflects a real effect of the reduced hours of light. It represents a greater potential cost saving than the reduced electricity consumption. 5. Birds in rooms with an average light intensity of 2 lux laid slightly fewer eggs but their eggs were 0.5 g heavier than those laid in rooms maintained at 10 lux. There were no interactions between light intensity and light pattern or between stocks and light pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)  相似文献   

14.
1. Cobb broiler breeders were fed to achieve typical body weight targets (2.1 kg at 20 weeks) on 6-, 8-, 10- or 16-h fully or intermittently illuminated (Biomittent) photoperiods in controlled-environment housing to 20 weeks, then moved to open-sided housing and 16-h photoperiods to 60 weeks. 2. At each photoperiod, birds given Biomittent lighting had heavier body weights up to 42 d, lighter body weights between 49 and 140 d, but similar body weights at sexual maturity. 3. Irrespective of lighting type, birds given 8-h photoperiods matured 3 to 4 d earlier than 6- or 10-h birds, but all matured=15 d before 16-h birds. 4. There were no significant differences between the 6-, 8- or 10-h groups for total eggs, mean egg weight or egg mass output, but all three produced=13 more, but =0.5 g smaller, eggs and =0.83 kg more egg mass to 60 weeks than 16-h birds. The proportion of abnormally large eggs was low (0.73/bird) and similar for all lighting groups. Egg production for a given period after sexual maturity was similar for all groups, and so differences among groups could be explained by the differences in age at sexual maturity.  相似文献   

15.
Constant photoperiods and sexual maturity in broiler breeder pullets   总被引:2,自引:2,他引:0  
1. Broiler breeder pullets were maintained on 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14- or 16-h photoperiods to determine the effect of constant photoperiods on sexual development in broiler breeders. The birds were fed to achieve a 2100 g body weight at approximately 17 or 20 weeks to see if the photosexual response was modified by rate of growth. 2. In both body weight groups, pullets maintained on 10h were the first to reach sexual maturity (50 eggs/100 bird-d), and these and the 11-h pullets matured significantly earlier than any of the other photoperiod groups. Pullets maintained on 13 or 14 h matured latest, at about 3 weeks after the 10-h pullets, though both were only marginally later than the 12- or 16-h birds. These differences in maturation probably reflect the different rates at which photorefractoriness is dissipated in broiler breeders reared on photoperiods that vary in their degree of stimulatory competence. 3. There were no significant interactions among the photoperiods and the ages at 2100 g; faster-growing birds consistently matured about 10 d earlier than conventionally grown pullets.  相似文献   

16.
1. Lohmann White and Lohmann Brown egg-type hybrids were reared on 6-, 8-, 10- or 12-h photoperiods, transferred to 12.5 h at 18 weeks and then given weekly increments to reach 14 h at 21 weeks. In a second experiment, Lohmann White pullets from the same rearing facility were transferred abruptly to 14 h at 18 weeks. 2. Body weight gain and feed intake to 6 and 18 weeks were positively correlated with rearing photoperiod in both breeds. Mortality to 18 weeks was unaffected. 3. Whether the photoperiod was increased abruptly or in a series of increments, Lohmann White pullets reared on 6 or 8 h matured 4 to 6 d later than pullets reared on 10 or 12 h. Rearing day-length had little effect on sexual maturity in Lohmann Brown pullets. 4. In both genotypes and each experiment, egg numbers, egg weight and shell strength increased with rearing photoperiod. Feed intake in the laying period was not significantly affected by rearing day-length, but a meta-analysis of all data showed a significant, though small, increase in adult feed intake with rearing photoperiod. Despite Lohmann White birds reared on 6 and 8 h having lower body weights throughout the laying period, they had larger body weight gains between 18 and 70 weeks than those reared on 10 or 12 h. There were no clear effects of rearing photoperiod on albumen height or mortality. 5. The heavier eggs and stronger shells of the birds reared on the longer day-lengths were correlated with heavier body weights at 18 weeks, and the superior egg numbers and higher feed intake were associated with age at sexual maturity.  相似文献   

17.
1. In two trials, broiler breeders were grown to a mean body weight of 2.0 to 2.2 kg at 20 weeks on 8L:16D and transferred to 16L:8D at various ages between 69 and 175 d of age at mean body weights varying between 1.0 and 2.7 kg. Other groups were grown to have a mean 20-week body weight 0.87, 1.15, 1.25 or 1.37 of the normal birds and photostimulated simultaneously with the normal weight birds. Controls were held on 8L:16D in each weight group. In a third trial, broiler breeders were transferred from 8L:16D to 16L:8D at 45 (ad libitum fed), 75 or 90 d (mild feed control), when the mean body weight of each group had reached 2.1 kg. Controls weighing 2.0 kg at 20 weeks were held on 8L:16D or 16L:8D. 2. In trial 1, photostimulating normal weight birds at 69, 76, 83 or 97 d delayed maturity and widened the spread of individual maturities, whilst transferring to 16L:8D at 111 or 125 d advanced maturity. Increasing the mean 20-week body weight to 2.8 kg advanced maturity in birds transferred to 16L:8D at 97, 111 or 125 d. Birds photostimulated at 69, 76 and 83 d matured at a similar age to controls held on 8L:16D. 3. In trial 2, transferring normal weight birds to 16L:8D at 91, 112, 133, 147, 161 or 175 d advanced maturity. Reducing the 20-week mean body weight to 1.91 kg delayed maturity in birds photostimulated at 91 or 112 d, but advanced it in birds photostimulated at 112, 133, 147, 161 or 175 d. Sexual maturity was similar for birds with a 20-week mean body weight of 2.54 or 2.74 kg, with advances for all groups photostimulated between 91 and 175 d. 4. In trial 3, birds maintained on 16L:8D matured later than birds held on 8L:16D, but maturity was advanced when birds were transferred to 16L:8D at 45, 75 or 90 d at a common body weight of 2.1 kg.  相似文献   

18.
1. Data from 9 experiments in which broiler breeder pullets had been photostimulated at two or more ages were integrated to produce a model to predict age at 50% egg production following a single increase in photoperiod during rearing. 2. It was clear that the photosexual response in broiler breeders was strongly influenced by the feed allowance and hence the rate of prepubertal growth. Regressions for birds given either a constant photoperiod or a single increase indicated that mean age at 50% lay advances by 2 d for every 100-g increase in body weight at 20 weeks. 3. The general response of broiler breeders was similar to that previously reported for egg-type pullets, but with important changes in the ages at which the birds progressed from one physiological state to the next, depending on body weight. 4. Broiler breeders, unlike modern egg-type pullets, exhibit juvenile photorefractoriness and, depending on their body weight, require up to 20 weeks to dissipate this (faster growth allows quicker dissipation). As a consequence, a group of birds grown to a typical weight of 2.1 kg at 20 weeks do not start to be photoresponsive until about 10 weeks and are not uniformly responsive until 19 or 20 weeks. A transfer to a stimulatory photoperiod before a bird has dissipated photorefractoriness causes a delay of about 3 weeks in its sexual development, and this results in a bimodal distribution of ages at maturity when a flock is photostimulated between 10 and 20 weeks. 5. Once photosensitive, the response of broiler breeders to an increment in photoperiod is between 0.50 and 0.65 of that observed in ISA Brown egg-type pullets. However, a flock of broiler breeders with typical feed restriction starts to mature spontaneously under the influence of the initial photoperiod from about 25 weeks. 6. There is a difference of only 1 to 3 d in age at 50% egg production between a flock transferred to 11 or 12 h followed by further increases to 15 or 16 h and one increased abruptly to one of these photoperiods, and so this model can be used to predict maturity in a commercial flock of birds even though they are likely to be given a stepped, rather than a single, increase in photoperiod.  相似文献   

19.
This study was carried out to determine the effects of poppy seed meal (PSM) on the egg production and hatching of quail. Two experiments were undertaken. In the first experiment, 240 quail, reared under the same conditions, were divided into four groups of 60 birds each (which were, in turn, subdivided into four subgroups of 15 each for experimental replicates). The first, second, and third experimental groups were fed ratios containing 5%, 15%, and 25% PSM, respectively, over 12 weeks. The control group received no PSM. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum and artificial light was provided for 16 h a day. During the first experiment, egg production, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. In the second experiment, 240 female and 48 male quail were divided into four groups, as in the preceding experiment, and the birds were housed in cages at a ratio of one male to five females. The diets and their presentation to the quails were the same as in the preceding experiment. The results of the two experiments showed that the addition of PSM to the feed ratios increased egg production, feed consumption, and feed conversion per kg of eggs and per dozen eggs. However, PSM addition at all percentages significantly reduced (P<0.001) hatchability, mainly because of increased infertility and embryonic deaths.  相似文献   

20.
This study investigated the effects of lighting intensity on egg production among white Roman geese kept in an environmentally controlled house. Two hundred and fifty-two White Roman geese aged 10 mo were randomly distributed among 12 pens, with each pen containing 5 ganders and 16 females on the floor, based on a completely random design (CRD). At the beginning of the study, each treatment group was comprised of 5 ganders and 16 geese in each pen; these groups included: control (40 lux group), geese under 170 lux (170 lux group), geese under 300 lux (300 lux group), and geese under 430 lux (430 lux group). The age of the geese at first lay was 10 mo, on average. The results showed that geese under 40 lux in egg number per goose or laying rate had lower than those of the 430 lux group. The reproductive characteristics were no different for the 170 lux, 300 lux, or 430 lux light groups. The hatchability in the 170 lux light group was significantly higher than in the 40 lux light group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the egg weight in the 170 lux and 430 lux groups was significantly heavier than the 40 lux light group (P < 0.05). Therefore, if lighting intensity supplementation of lux is defined as X (lux/geese), and egg number production is defined as Y4 (egg), then Y4 = 35.7 + 0.46X-0.002X2+0.00000296X3 (R2 = 0.868, P < 0.001) for the entire experimental period. In conclusion, geese raised under 170 lux lighting intensity in an environmentally controlled house achieved higher hatchability and egg weight during the laying season.  相似文献   

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