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Abstract
To adapt to the rapid growth genetic potential of broiler breeders, intensive feed restriction regimes such as pullet skip-a-day have been adopted, although the use of this regime is questioned due to declining breeder performance. Dietary trace minerals are crucial given their contribution to breeder reproduction. Feed can be a source of pathogens that ultimately affect the health and performance of breeders and their hatchling, suggesting that feed sanitation would have positive implications for breeder operations. The objectives were: (1) to examine how pullet everyday feeding regime impacts the growth performance, body composition, gastrointestinal development and reproduction of breeders as compared to skip-a-day regime; (2) evaluate industry dietary levels of organic-chelated trace minerals (Zn, Mn, and Cu) and their effect on breeder hen reproduction, and egg and offspring quality; and (3) examine the implications of sanitizing breeder hen feed with a formaldehyde-based product on reproduction, and egg and offspring contamination. Daily-fed pullets were heavier with increased body fat at photo-stimulation age and had increased bone density compared to pullets fed using skip-a-day. Daily-fed pullets showed improved intestinal development and tended to have higher eggshell quality and hatch of fertile while in lay compared to those fed skip-a-day as pullets. Combiningintermediate industry levels of chelated and inorganic trace minerals in hen diets resulted in overall higher egg production, eggshell quality, and cuticle deposition in the second half of lay, when compared to high levels inorganic trace minerals, or reduced levels supplied by chelated sources. Treating breeder hen feed with a formaldehyde-based sanitizer resulted in higher graded-quality hatched chicks, less aerobic bacterial and fungal contamination of the egg surfaces, and overall higher offspring livability. In conclusion: (1) daily feeding regime was more efficient in growing pullets, improved intestinal integrity metrics, and increased the eggshell quality and the hatch of fertile during lay; (2) hen dietary levels provided by combining inorganic and chelated trace minerals was advantageous for sustaining high quality egg production; (3) treating broiler breeder hen feed with a formaldehyde-based sanitizer reduced the microbial contamination of feed and eggshell surfaces, and positively impacted the quality and livability of the hatchling.