The effect of nutrient intake during rearing of broiler breeder females on subsequent fertility

Broiler breeder females were grown to similar 20-wk BW with diets containing levels of CP ranging from 11 to 20% CP in four experiments. At 20 wk of age, the pullets were mixed with sex-separate reared males, grown with a 17% CP, 2.89 kcal ME/g diet. Treatment BW at 20 wk of age were between 1.94 and 2.11 kg per pullet. Birds were photostimulated at 20 wk of age. Irrespective of cumulative energy intake or 20-wk BW, pullets that consumed less than 1,180 g of CP exhibited reduced fertility. These results demonstrate a relationship between CP intake by females during rearing and subsequent fertility.