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<RECORD>
	<REFERENCE_TYPE>0</REFERENCE_TYPE>
	<AUTHORS>
		<AUTHOR>Spradley, J. M.</AUTHOR>
		<AUTHOR>Freeman, M. E.</AUTHOR>
		<AUTHOR>Wilson, J. L.</AUTHOR>
		<AUTHOR>Davis, A. J.</AUTHOR>
	</AUTHORS>
	<YEAR>2008</YEAR>
	<TITLE>The Influence of a Twice-a-Day Feeding Regimen After Photostimulation on the Reproductive Performance of Broiler Breeder Hens</TITLE>
	<SECONDARY_TITLE>Poult Sci</SECONDARY_TITLE>
	<VOLUME>87</VOLUME>
	<PAGES>561-568</PAGES>
	<DATE>Mar</DATE>
	<ISBN>0032-5791 (Print)</ISBN>
	<ACCESSION_NUMBER>18281585</ACCESSION_NUMBER>
	<KEYWORDS>
		<KEYWORD>aves</KEYWORD>
	</KEYWORDS>
	<ABSTRACT>Broiler breeder hens are typically provided a restricted amount of feed once a day. This feed is rapidly consumed; therefore, the hens fast for an extended period of time before their next feeding. In the current research, the effects on reproductive performance of implementing a twice-a-day vs. a once-a-day feeding program after photostimulation were investigated. Pullets and cockerels were reared on a skip-a-day feeding program. Pullets were weighed at 20 wk of age and then distributed into 30 laying pens such that each pen had a similar BW distribution. Each individual laying pen consisted of 35 hens and 4 roosters. At 21 wk of age, the birds were photostimulated for reproduction and 15 of the laying pens were placed on a once-a-day feeding schedule, whereas the other 15 pens were placed on a twice-a-day feeding schedule. The total amount of feed provided per day to all the laying pens was the same. Birds fed once a day received all their feed at 0630 h, whereas birds fed twice a day received 60% of their total feed allotment at 0630 h and the other 40% at 1500 h. Even though both treatment groups began egg production at the end of wk 23, birds fed twice a day laid more (P &lt;/= 0.05) eggs through 42 wk of age than those fed once a day. Additionally, the average egg weight for the entire production period, which lasted until the birds were 60 wk of age, was greater for hens fed twice a day. Overall BW uniformity for the entire experiment was significantly better for hens fed twice a day vs. once a day. However, cumulative mortality was significantly higher for hens fed twice a day than for those fed once a day. The results indicate that feeding broiler breeder hens twice a day after photostimulation may enhance reproductive performance during the early lay period.</ABSTRACT>
</RECORD>
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