Impact of Breed and Feed Restriction on Growth and Development of Pre-Lay Characteristics of Isa Brown and Lohmann Brown Pullets

Abstract: The study aimed to assess how different breeds and feed restriction practices influence the growth and pre-lay characteristics of Isa Brown and Lohmann Brown pullet chickens during their rearing phase. A total of 360 day-old chicks,180 from each breed, were raised on standard starter diets until eight weeks old, followed by three Different feed restriction levels from 9 to 22 weeks of ( i)ad- libitum, ii) 90% of ad-lib feed allocation and iii) 80% of ad-lib feed allocation, in a 2 X 3 factorial design). The study found that breed did not significantly impact body weight, feed intake or egg weight but age at sexual maturity was slightly delayed(P<0.05) in Isa Brown. Feed restriction did not affect (P>0.05) feed intake or body weight but pullets on 80% restriction showed higher (P<0.05) egg weight and age at sexual maturity