The effects of nutrient dilution on the well-being and performance of female broiler breeders.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of nutrient dilution on plasma heterophil:lymphocyte ratios, behavior, and productivity of broiler breeder hens. Standard age-appropriate broiler breeder diets were fed either undiluted or diluted with 15 and 30% ground oat hulls from 0 to 56 wk of age. Feed was allocated daily so as to achieve the BW recommended by the breeder. Pullets were photostimulated at 20 wk, at which time 80 per treatment were moved, 2 per cage, to 120 laying cages, where they were housed until 56 wk of age. The same dilution treatment was continued for the laying period. The time required to consume the diluted feed was higher when diets were diluted during both the rearing (P = .002) and the laying periods (P = .0001). Heterophil:lymphocyte ratios at 12 wk of age indicated that hens subjected to higher levels of quantitative feed restriction experienced more long-term stress (P < .05). This difference was not evident at 20 wk or at 50 wk. During the laying period, hens that were fed diluted diets spent less time at the water source than those fed standard diets (P = .0001). The rate of decrease in flock uniformity during lay was slower in hens fed the diluted diets (P < .05). Hens fed the diet diluted by 15% had the highest egg production (P = .012), chick production (P < .0001), the best CP conversion efficiency (P < .05), and better feed conversion efficiency (P < .05). Diet dilution with ground oat hulls seems to be a means of reducing stress and improving efficiency and productivity in broiler breeder flocks.