Use of low protein grower diets to delay sexual maturity of broiler breeding males1

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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of delaying sexual maturity of broiler breeder males on subsequent reproductive performance. Four dietary protein levels (16.0, 12.4, 8.9 and 5.1 per cent) were fed during the growing period. Thereafter, all males were fed a diet containing 17.0 per cent protein. Sexual maturity was delayed 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, by feeding the 8.9 and 5.1 per cent protein diets, but was not affected by feeding the 12.4 per cent protein diet. Viability was superior for males receiving the diets containing 8.9 or 5.1 per cent protein. The low protein diets had no adverse effects on semen production, fertility or hatchability following recovery from the protein restriction.