Abstract
The study aimed to determine the effects of feed restriction on growth, feed efficiency, sudden death syndrome (SDS) and some blood parameters in broilers. One hundred mixed sex chicks (Avian 48) were randomly allocated into two treatment groups each of 50 chicks (5 replicates). Broilers in the first treatment fed ad libitum until the end of the experiment (35 days of age), while feeds in the other treatment were restricted by 20% from 7 to 21 days. Broilers fed ad- libitum had significantly high body weight gain, better feed conversion and high mortality rate compared with the restricted broilers. Although the mortality rate was significantly higher in ad libitum fed broilers, their better feed efficiency significantly rise the income over feed cost (IOFC). Feed restriction lowered serum lipids and triglycerides associated with macrocytic anemia. Inconclusion, feed restriction negatively affected growth performance, blood parameters and IOFC. Therefore, results support ad libitum feeding for broiler chickens.
Highlights
Continuous genetic selection and improvement in nutrition have led to a very fast growth rate in modern strains of broiler chickens. Metabolic disorders such as ascites, sudden death syndrome (SDS) and leg problems are related to a rapid early growth rate in poultry, especially in broilers and their incidence can be decreased by slowing early growth
The statistical analyses indicated that body weight was significantly decreased in restricted broilers (Table 2)
Feed intake was nearly similar in all groups, while feed efficiency was significantly lower in restricted broilers
Summary
Continuous genetic selection and improvement in nutrition have led to a very fast growth rate in modern strains of broiler chickens. Metabolic disorders such as ascites, sudden death syndrome (SDS) and leg problems are related to a rapid early growth rate in poultry, especially in broilers and their incidence can be decreased by slowing early growth. Sudden death syndrome has been reported in most areas of the world that raise broilers intensively. Healthy, fast-growing broiler chickens die suddenly with a short, terminal, wing-beating convulsion. Many affected broilers just “flip over” and die on their backs. Climate, rearing technique, physiological state, age, sex and genotype can influence the level of a particular blood constituent (Meluzzi et al, 1992)
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