Effect of the Limitation of Feeding Time on Growth, Sexual Maturity and Egg Production of the Meat-type Chicken

Abstract

Effects of restricted feeding by means of the limitation of feeding time on the growth and the reproductive performance of meat-type chickens were studied.Sixty male and sixty female Dominant White Cornish × White Plymouth Rock chicks were divided into 3 groups at 4 weeks of age. Each group was fed for 3, 6 and 12 hours a day, respectively, from 4 to 24 weeks of age. The room temperature was kept at 25 ±1°C. The birds were given 12 hours light per day.Limitation of feeding time to 3 hours a day retarded the gain of body weight by 20% in cockerels and by 17% in pullets at the end of the restriction period (Table 2). Feed consumption was reduced to 80 and 84% in cockerels and pullets of the group fed for 3 hours a day, respectively, in comparison with those fed for 12 hours a day (Table 4).Sexual matuity of the pullets was delayed by the limitation of feeding time. Mean ages at the first egg in the pullets fed for 3 hours and for 12 hours a day were 153 and 137 days, respectively. Average egg size at 28 weeks of age (4 weeks after the end of feed restriction) was significantly larger in the pullets fed for 3 hours a day during the rearing period than that of pullets fed for 12 hours a days (Table 5).