Breeder

Management
Supplement

COBB-VANTRESS.COM
Breeder Management

his Cobb Breeder Management Supplement is to be used in conjunction with the Cobb
T Breeder Management Guide to assist you in building your management program.

Management must not only meet the basic needs of the stock but also be fine tuned to
attain the full potential of the breed. Our recommendations in this booklet are based on
current scientific knowledge and practical experience, and reflect the genetic potential
of the Cobb hen based on Total Egg and Hatch Percent records taken from the top 25%
of Cobb flocks worldwide.

This booklet should be used as a guide only, and adapted locally according to your own
experience when projecting performance from all flocks in a particular operation.
You should be aware of any local legislation which may influence the management
practices that you should choose to adopt.

Please contact your Cobb Technical Representative for further assistance.

Cobb is dedicated to selection of breeds for health, welfare and performance traits and
continues to expand the variety of breed crosses to meet global customer expectations.
Today’s modern breeder chickens are more efficient, more productive, and more robust
than prior generations of chickens. This progress is due to improved genetics and
advances in husbandry methods that enhance the longevity, welfare outcomes and
performance of breeder chickens at rearing and laying farms.
Breeder Management
Breeder Performance

Age at depletion (weeks) 60 65

(days) 420 455

Age at 5% production (weeks) 25 25

(days) 175 175

Peak production (%) 86 86

Total eggs/hen housed 165.3 182.9

Hatching eggs/hen housed (50g minimum) 160.9 178.1

Peak hatchability (%) 90 90

Cumulative hatchability (%) 85.3 84.5

Broiler chicks/hen housed 137.6 150.8

Livability from 25 weeks (%) 93.5 93.3

Dark Out Open Sided

Female body weight (25 weeks) (kg) 3.22 3.31

(lb) 7.10 7.29

Female body weight (60 weeks) (kg) 4.19 4.27

(lb) 9.23 9.40

Female body weight (65 weeks) (kg) 4.24 4.32

(lb) 9.34 9.51
Female Body Weights
Dark-Out Rearing

Age Body Weight Body Weight

days weeks g lb Gain %

0
7 1 150 0.33
14 2 285 0.63 78
21 3 410 0.90 44
28 4 550 1.21 34
35 5 660 1.46 20
42 6 760 1.68 15
49 7 860 1.90 13
56 8 960 2.12 12
63 9 1060 2.34 10
70 10 1150 2.54 8
77 11 1240 2.73 8
84 12 1330 2.93 7
91 13 1420 3.13 7
98 14 1515 3.34 7
105 15 1615 3.56 7
112 16 1725 3.80 6
119 17 1855 4.09 7
126 18 2005 4.42 8
133 19 2170 4.78 8
140 20 2350 5.18 9
147 21 2530 5.58 12
154 22 2700 5.95 7
161 23 2960 6.53 6
168 24 3120 6.88 5
175 25 3220 7.10 4

Please refer to the Cobb Breeder Management Guide for general flock management recommendations,
as well as guidelines concerning post peak feeding.

Weights correspond to the weekly anniversary date.

Between 2 to 22 weeks, weights are taken when birds don't have feed in their crop (dry body weight)
or at least 6-7 hours after the last feeding. Another option is to weigh the birds after the lights come
on and before feeding takes place. (Please consult with your Cobb Technical Advisor for feed and
light programs.)
Female Body Weights
Open Sided Rearing

Age Body Weight Body Weight

days weeks g lb Gain %

0
7 1 150 0.33
14 2 285 0.63 78
21 3 410 0.90 44
28 4 550 1.21 34
35 5 660 1.46 20
42 6 760 1.68 15
49 7 860 1.90 13
56 8 960 2.12 12
63 9 1060 2.34 10
70 10 1150 2.54 8
77 11 1240 2.73 8
84 12 1330 2.93 7
91 13 1440 3.17 8
98 14 1550 3.42 8
105 15 1665 3.67 7
112 16 1785 3.94 7
119 17 1915 4.22 7
126 18 2075 4.57 7
133 19 2245 4.95 8
140 20 2430 5.36 9
147 21 2600 5.73 11
154 22 2770 6.11 6
161 23 3030 6.68 6
168 24 3180 7.01 5
175 25 3305 7.29 4

Please refer to the Cobb Breeder Management Guide for general flock management recommendations,
as well as guidelines concerning post peak feeding.

Weights correspond to the weekly anniversary date.

Between 2 to 22 weeks, weights are taken when birds don't have feed in their crop (dry body weight)
or at least 6-7 hours after the last feeding. Another option is to weigh the birds after the lights come
on and before feeding takes place. (Please consult with your Cobb Technical Advisor for feed and
light programs.)
Female Adult Body Weights
Age in Dark Out Body Weight Open Sided Body Weight
weeks g lb g lb

25 3220 7.10 3305 7.29

26 3320 7.32 3405 7.51
27 3410 7.52 3495 7.71
28 3500 7.72 3585 7.90
29 3590 7.91 3675 8.10
30 3660 8.07 3745 8.26
31 3700 8.16 3785 8.34
32 3735 8.23 3820 8.42
33 3770 8.31 3855 8.50
34 3800 8.38 3885 8.56
35 3830 8.44 3915 8.63
36 3855 8.50 3940 8.69
37 3880 8.55 3965 8.74
38 3900 8.60 3985 8.79
39 3920 8.64 4005 8.83
40 3940 8.69 4020 8.86
41 3955 8.72 4035 8.90
42 3970 8.75 4050 8.93
43 3985 8.79 4065 8.96
44 4000 8.82 4080 8.99
45 4015 8.85 4095 9.03
46 4030 8.88 4110 9.06
47 4045 8.92 4125 9.09
48 4060 8.95 4140 9.13
49 4075 8.98 4155 9.16
50 4085 9.01 4165 9.18
51 4095 9.03 4175 9.20
52 4105 9.05 4185 9.23
53 4115 9.07 4195 9.25
54 4125 9.09 4205 9.27
55 4135 9.12 4215 9.29
56 4145 9.14 4225 9.31
57 4155 9.16 4235 9.34
58 4165 9.18 4245 9.36
59 4175 9.20 4255 9.38
60 4185 9.23 4265 9.40
61 4195 9.25 4275 9.42
62 4205 9.27 4285 9.45
63 4215 9.29 4295 9.47
64 4225 9.31 4305 9.49
65 4235 9.34 4315 9.51
Egg Weights and Grading
Age in Egg Wt EGG GRADING
weeks g Small 2 Yolk Cull Hairline Cracked Floor Eggs

25 51.1 11.7 8.7 3.0 5.1 1.5 40.0

26 53.0 7.8 5.8 2.0 3.4 1.0 25.0
27 54.9 3.7 3.2 1.0 1.6 0.5 15.0
28 56.8 2.0 3.0 0.7 1.0 0.3 10.0
29 58.5 0.8 1.7 0.5 0.8 0.2 7.0
30 59.8 0.5 1.0 0.5 0.8 0.2 3.0
31 60.6 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.2 2.5
32 61.5 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.2 2.5
33 62.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.2 2.0
34 63.1 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.2 2.0
35 64.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.8 0.3 2.0
36 64.6 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.8 0.3 2.0
37 64.9 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.9 0.3 2.0
38 65.4 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.9 0.3 2.0
39 65.6 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.9 0.3 2.0
40 66.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.9 0.3 2.0
41 66.5 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.9 0.3 2.0
42 66.9 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 2.0
43 67.4 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 2.0
44 67.8 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 2.0
45 68.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 2.0
46 68.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 2.0
47 68.4 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 2.0
48 68.6 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 2.0
49 68.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
50 68.9 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
51 69.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
52 69.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
53 69.5 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
54 69.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
55 69.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
56 69.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
57 69.9 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
58 70.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
59 70.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
60 70.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
61 70.5 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
62 70.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
63 70.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
64 70.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0
65 70.9 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.1 0.4 2.0

Egg weights are dependent on the bodyweight and production level of the hens, as well as the level
of nutrition being fed to the flock. These numbers are a guide only, and could vary considerably
according to management conditions.
Breeder Performance
Age in Total Eggs Hatching Mortality % HE Total Eggs Hatching
Weeks (%HW) Eggs (%HW) Cum. (%) (Weekly) (HH) Eggs (HH)

25 3.0 1.7 0.25 55.0 0.2 0.1

26 23.0 19.6 0.55 85.0 1.8 1.5
27 53.0 49.3 0.95 93.0 5.5 4.9
28 74.0 70.3 1.35 95.0 10.6 9.7
29 83.0 78.9 1.65 95.0 16.3 15.2
30 85.5 82.9 1.95 97.0 22.2 20.9
31 86.0 83.9 2.22 97.5 28.1 26.6
32 85.5 83.4 2.47 97.5 33.9 32.3
33 84.5 82.4 2.72 97.5 39.7 37.9
34 84.0 81.9 2.97 97.5 45.4 43.5
35 83.0 81.3 3.22 98.0 51.0 49.0
36 82.0 80.4 3.47 98.0 56.5 54.4
37 81.0 79.4 3.72 98.0 62.0 59.8
38 80.0 78.4 3.97 98.0 67.4 65.0
39 79.0 77.4 4.17 98.0 72.7 70.2
40 77.5 76.0 4.37 98.0 77.8 75.3
41 77.0 75.5 4.57 98.0 83.0 80.4
42 75.5 74.0 4.77 98.0 88.0 85.3
43 74.5 73.0 4.97 98.0 93.0 90.1
44 73.0 71.5 5.17 98.0 97.8 94.9
45 72.0 70.6 5.37 98.0 102.6 99.6
46 71.0 69.6 5.47 98.0 107.3 104.2
47 70.0 68.6 5.57 98.0 111.9 108.7
48 69.0 67.6 5.67 98.0 116.5 113.2
49 68.0 66.6 5.77 98.0 121.0 117.6
50 67.0 65.5 5.87 97.8 125.4 121.9
51 66.0 64.5 5.97 97.8 129.7 126.1
52 65.0 63.6 6.04 97.8 134.0 130.3
53 64.0 62.6 6.12 97.8 138.2 134.4
54 63.0 61.6 6.20 97.8 142.3 138.5
55 62.0 60.6 6.25 97.8 146.4 142.4
56 61.0 59.7 6.30 97.8 150.4 146.4
57 60.0 58.7 6.35 97.8 154.3 150.2
58 59.0 57.7 6.40 97.8 158.2 154.0
59 58.0 56.6 6.45 97.5 162.0 157.7
60 57.0 55.6 6.50 97.5 165.7 161.3
61 56.0 54.6 6.55 97.5 169.4 164.9
62 55.0 53.6 6.60 97.5 173.0 168.4
63 54.0 52.7 6.65 97.5 176.5 171.8
64 53.0 51.7 6.70 97.5 180.0 175.2
65 52.0 50.7 6.75 97.5 183.4 178.5
Breeder Flock Fertility, Hatchability & Chick Weight
Age in Hatchability (%) Fertility (%) Hatch of fertiles (%) Chick no./hen housed Chick Wt.
Weeks Weekly Cum. Weekly Cum. Weekly Cum. Weekly Cum. g

25 75.0 75.0 90.0 90.0 83.3 83.3 0.1 0.1 34.7

26 80.0 79.6 93.0 91.5 86.0 87.4 1.1 1.2 36.0
27 82.0 81.3 94.0 92.3 87.2 88.8 2.8 4.0 37.3
28 84.0 82.6 95.0 93.0 88.4 90.3 4.1 8.0 38.6
29 85.0 83.5 95.5 93.5 89.0 90.9 4.6 12.6 39.8
30 86.0 84.2 96.0 93.9 89.6 91.6 4.9 17.5 40.7
31 87.0 84.8 96.5 94.3 90.2 92.3 5.0 22.5 41.2
32 88.0 85.3 96.5 94.6 91.2 93.1 5.0 27.5 41.8
33 89.0 85.9 96.7 94.8 92.0 93.9 5.0 32.5 42.4
34 90.0 86.4 96.7 95.0 93.1 94.7 5.0 37.5 42.9
35 89.5 86.8 96.7 95.1 92.6 94.1 4.9 42.4 43.5
36 89.0 87.0 96.7 95.3 92.0 93.4 4.8 47.2 43.9
37 88.5 87.1 96.6 95.4 91.6 92.8 4.7 51.9 44.1
38 88.0 87.2 96.6 95.5 91.1 92.2 4.6 56.5 44.5
39 87.5 87.2 96.5 95.5 90.7 91.6 4.5 61.1 44.6
40 87.0 87.2 96.5 95.6 90.2 91.0 4.4 65.5 44.9
41 86.5 87.2 96.4 95.6 89.7 90.4 4.4 69.8 45.2
42 86.1 87.1 96.2 95.7 89.5 90.0 4.2 74.1 45.5
43 85.7 87.0 96.2 95.7 89.1 89.6 4.2 78.2 45.8
44 85.5 86.9 96.1 95.7 89.0 89.3 4.1 82.3 46.1
45 85.2 86.9 96.1 95.7 88.7 89.0 4.0 86.3 46.3
46 85.0 86.8 96.0 95.8 88.5 88.8 3.9 90.2 46.4
47 84.7 86.7 95.7 95.7 88.5 88.5 3.8 94.0 46.5
48 84.5 86.6 95.5 95.7 88.5 88.3 3.8 97.8 46.6
49 84.2 86.5 95.2 95.7 88.4 88.0 3.7 101.5 46.8
50 84.0 86.4 95.0 95.7 88.4 87.8 3.6 105.1 46.9
51 83.7 86.3 94.7 95.7 88.4 87.5 3.6 108.7 47.1
52 83.2 86.2 94.4 95.6 88.1 87.0 3.5 112.1 47.1
53 83.0 86.1 94.2 95.6 88.1 86.9 3.4 115.5 47.3
54 82.7 86.0 94.1 95.5 87.9 86.6 3.3 118.9 47.4
55 82.2 85.9 93.8 95.5 87.6 86.1 3.3 122.2 47.5
56 81.7 85.8 93.3 95.4 87.6 85.7 3.2 125.4 47.5
57 81.2 85.7 93.0 95.3 87.3 85.2 3.1 128.5 47.5
58 80.6 85.6 92.4 95.2 87.2 84.6 3.0 131.5 47.7
59 79.9 85.4 91.7 95.1 87.1 84.0 3.0 134.5 47.7
60 79.1 85.3 90.9 95.0 87.0 83.3 2.9 137.4 47.8
61 78.4 85.1 90.3 94.9 86.8 82.6 2.8 140.2 47.9
62 77.6 85.0 89.5 94.7 86.7 81.9 2.7 142.9 48.1
63 76.9 84.8 88.9 94.6 86.5 81.3 2.6 145.5 48.1
64 76.1 84.7 88.1 94.4 86.4 80.6 2.6 148.1 48.1
65 75.4 84.5 87.4 94.3 86.3 80.0 2.5 150.6 48.2
Hatchery Information
Age in Fertility Hatchability EMBRYODIAGNOSIS HOF
Weeks % % Infertile Early Mid Late

25 90.0 75.0 10.0 6.9 0.5 7.7 83.3

26 93.0 80.0 7.0 5.9 0.5 6.6 86.0
27 94.0 82.0 6.0 5.4 0.5 6.1 87.2
28 95.0 84.0 5.0 4.9 0.5 5.6 88.4
29 95.5 85.0 4.5 4.6 0.5 5.4 89.0
30 96.0 86.0 4.0 4.4 0.5 5.1 89.6
31 96.5 87.0 3.5 4.2 0.5 4.8 90.2
32 96.5 88.0 3.5 3.7 0.5 4.3 91.2
33 96.7 89.0 3.3 3.3 0.5 3.9 92.0
34 96.7 90.0 3.3 2.8 0.5 3.4 93.1
35 96.7 89.5 3.3 3.0 0.5 3.7 92.6
36 96.7 89.0 3.3 3.3 0.5 3.9 92.0
37 96.6 88.5 3.4 3.5 0.5 4.1 91.6
38 96.6 88.0 3.4 3.7 0.5 4.4 91.1
39 96.5 87.5 3.5 3.9 0.5 4.6 90.7
40 96.5 87.0 3.5 4.2 0.5 4.8 90.2
41 96.4 86.5 3.6 4.4 0.5 5.0 89.7
42 96.2 86.1 3.8 4.4 0.5 5.2 89.5
43 96.2 85.7 3.8 4.6 0.5 5.4 89.1
44 96.1 85.5 3.9 4.7 0.5 5.4 89.0
45 96.1 85.2 3.9 4.8 0.5 5.6 88.7
46 96.0 85.0 4.0 4.9 0.5 5.6 88.5
47 95.7 84.7 4.3 4.9 0.5 5.6 88.5
48 95.5 84.5 4.5 4.9 0.5 5.6 88.5
49 95.2 84.2 4.8 4.9 0.5 5.6 88.4
50 95.0 84.0 5.0 4.9 0.5 5.6 88.4
51 94.7 83.7 5.3 4.9 0.5 5.6 88.4
52 94.4 83.2 5.6 5.0 0.5 5.7 88.1
53 94.2 83.0 5.8 5.0 0.5 5.7 88.1
54 94.1 82.7 5.9 5.1 0.5 5.8 87.9
55 93.8 82.2 6.2 5.2 0.5 5.9 87.6
56 93.3 81.7 6.7 5.2 0.5 5.9 87.6
57 93.0 81.2 7.0 5.3 0.5 6.0 87.3
58 92.4 80.6 7.6 5.3 0.5 6.0 87.2
59 91.7 79.9 8.3 5.3 0.5 6.0 87.1
60 90.9 79.1 9.1 5.3 0.5 6.0 87.0
61 90.3 78.4 9.7 5.3 0.5 6.1 86.8
62 89.5 77.6 10.5 5.3 0.5 6.1 86.7
63 88.9 76.9 11.1 5.4 0.5 6.1 86.5
64 88.1 76.1 11.9 5.4 0.5 6.1 86.4
65 87.4 75.4 12.6 5.4 0.5 6.1 86.3
Digestible Amino Acid Levels
Recommended digestible amino acid levels
based on amino acid/lysine ratios

Phase Starter Grower/Developer Breeder Male

Age (days) 0 - 28 29 - 1st egg 1st egg+ 155+
(weeks) 0-4 5 - 1st egg 23+

Lysine 100 100 100 100

Methionine 45 52 52 55

M+C 75 85 87 95

Tryptophan 21 22 22 24

Threonine 70 75 75 87

Arginine 105 110 110 110

Valine 72 75 75 75

Isoleucine 68 70 70 80
 Recommended nutrient levels for Cobb500 Parent Stock Breeders

Phase Unit Starter Grower Developer Breeder 1 Breeder 2 Male

Age (days) 0 - 28 29 - 105 106 - 1st egg 1st egg - 266 >267 >168
(weeks) 0-4 5 - 15 16 - 1st egg 1st egg - 38 >39 >24

MJ/kg 11.92 11.30 11.72 11.72 11.72 11.30

Metabolizable
kcal/kg 2,850 2,700 2,800 2,800 2,800 2,700
Energy a
Nutrient Levels

kcal/lb 1,293 1,225 1,270 1,270 1,270 1,225

Crude Protein % 19.00 14.50 15.00 15.00 14.50 13.00
Calcium % 0.95 0.95 1.20 3.00 3.20 0.95
Av. Phosphorus % 0.45 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.38 0.42
Sodium % 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24
Chloride % 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24 0.15 - 0.24
Potassium % 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60
Linoleic Acid % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.25 1.25 1.00
Digestible Amino Acids
Dig. Lysine % 0.93 0.60 0.63 0.66 0.63 0.50
Dig. Methionine % 0.42 0.31 0.33 0.34 0.32 0.28
Dig. M + C % 0.70 0.51 0.54 0.57 0.55 0.48
Dig. Tryptophan % 0.20 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.14 0.12
Dig. Threonine % 0.65 0.45 0.47 0.50 0.47 0.44
Dig. Arginine % 0.98 0.66 0.69 0.73 0.69 0.55
Dig. Valine % 0.67 0.45 0.47 0.50 0.47 0.38
Dig. Isoleucine % 0.64 0.42 0.44 0.46 0.44 0.40

a
If the energy needs to be adjusted for local conditions, then all other nutrients (protein/amino acids) need to be adjusted at the same ratio.
Supplementary Vitamins and Trace Elements
Recommended supplementary levels of vitamins
and trace elements per metric tonne basis
Phase Unit Starter / Breeders in
Developer / Production
Males

Vit. A (Maize Diets) KIU 10,000 12,000

Vit. A (Wheat Diets) KIU 11,000 13,000

Vit. D3 KIU 3,500 3,500

Vit. E KIU 100 100

Vit. K g 3.0 6.0

Thiamine g 2.75 3.0

Riboflavin g 8.0 13

Pantothenic Acid g 15 20

Niacin g 40 50

Pyridoxine g 3.0 6.0

Folic Acid g 2.0 3.0

Vit. B12 g 0.025 0.035

Biotin (Maize Diets) g 0.25 0.30

Biotin (Wheat Diets) g 0.30 0.375

Choline g 500 500

Manganese g 100 120

Zinc g 100 110

Iron g 20-50 40-55

Copper g 10-15 10-15

Iodine g 1.5 2.0

Selenium g 0.30 0.30

KIU = thousand international units; g = grams

Supplementary levels of vitamins and trace elements should always be reviewed to ensure total
levels do not exceed those set in local legislation.
 cobbcares.com

Bird Health and Well-Being

Cobb has a long-standing commitment to
the health and well-being of the chickens
that we breed, raise and distribute
worldwide.

L-2020-06 EN : June 2018