The objective of this experiment was to evaluate levels of methionine + cystine levels for broiler breeders from 40 to 60 weeks of age. It was used 288 Cobb broiler breeders, distributed in a randomized experimental design with six levels of methionine+ cystine in the diets (0.39; 0.47; 0.55; 0.63; 0.71 and 0.79%), eight repetitions and six breeders per experimental unit. The diets were isocaloric and isoprotein (2,850 kcal ME/kg and 12.58% CP) and oferred at a fixed amount (155 g) per bird. For the entire studied period, by using polynomial analysis, it was observed a quadratic effect of methionine + cystine levels on the percentage of egg production, on number of eggs per hen housed, on number of eggs per hen and egg weight. There was also a linear effect on shell weight when it was calculated in relation to egg weight. The total methionine + cystine requirement for broiler breeders was calculated at 0.521% for percentage of egg production and number of eggs per hen, which corresponds to a daily intake of 808 mg of methionine + cystine/day. The digestible methionine + cystine requirement for broiler breeders was estimated at 727 mg for laying percentage and number of eggs per hen.
eggs; requirement; sulfur amino acid
