Effect of litter system and nest box type on egg production and performance of Ross 308 broiler breeders

Abstract

Context Type of litter housing system is one of the most important factors affecting egg production and performance of broiler breeders. Aims The study aim was to determine the effect of litter and nest box type on selected production and performance traits of Ross 308 broiler breeders. Methods The study subjects consisted of male and female Ross 308 broiler breeders raised on a commercial poultry farm. In four poultry houses, birds were raised on a slat-litter floor, with a colony nest box type. In four other poultry houses, birds were raised on a litter floor with an open nest box type. Body weight (23 weeks and 57 weeks), feed intake and percent mortality (23–57 weeks), length of laying period, number of eggs, laying percentage and egg weight were determined or calculated and compared between housing systems. Key results Birds reared on a slat-litter floor with colony nest boxes had significantly lower (roosters) or higher (hens) body weight at 23 and 57 weeks of age compared to birds kept on a litter floor with open nest boxes. Both sexes housed on a slat-litter floor were characterised by significantly higher feed intake, significantly lower mortality during the reproductive period (23–57 weeks), and significantly lower egg weight compared to birds raised in the litter floor system. Litter and nest box type had no significant effect on length of laying period, number of eggs, laying percentage, and percent hatchability from set eggs. Conclusions Ross 308 broiler breeders kept on a litter floor with open nest boxes had some better performance parameters, but poorer liveability compared to birds kept on a litter floor and slats with colony nest boxes. The higher body weight of females kept on a slat-litter floor at the end of the reproductive period (57 weeks) compared to the same-age females kept on a litter floor is likely due to higher carcass fatness, which had an adverse effect on the number and weight of hatching eggs. Implications The results of this study may be useful for broiler breeder producers in their decisions about the litter system of these birds.