Restrictive nutrition and compensatory growth of broilers: Impact on growth production results and carcass characteristics

Stamen Radulovic,Dejan Peric,Radmila Markovic,Zivan Jokic,Dragan Sefer,Mirjana Lukic

doi:10.1088/1755-1315/854/1/012076

Abstract

Increase in growth rate through genetic selection and improved nutrition in broiler chickens has been associated with high body fat deposition. This is particularly evident under ad libitum feeding that is normally practiced. Excessive fat deposition in the body of broilers is a common problem for poultry producers and consumers. Studies have shown that feed restriction could decrease fat content and increase protein deposition in carcasses, thus resulting in their improved composition. In addition to determining the optimal time to start and the duration of the restrictive nutrition, the success of the given programs largely depends on the intensity of the restriction, as well as the type of applied technique. Considering that in a large number of studies, the application of restrictive programs resulted in a reduction of body fat in broilers, but at the same time the desired body weight was not achieved at the slaughter (market) age, these programs should not be a priori rejected as ineffective. It is necessary to determine whether the market price of the obtained product (poultry meat) with its reduced fat content justifies the lower body weight of broilers achieved at the end of the fattening period.

Highlights

Exceptional progress made in the field of animal nutrition during the past few decades, along with constant genetic selection aimed at increasing body weight of broilers and improving feed efficiency, have resulted in reaching the biological limit for achieving animal production results in this segment of poultry production
In the last 50 years, body mass growth rates in broiler chickens have increased by more than 300% [1]. This dramatic increase in broiler growth intensity was manifested primarily during the first four weeks of fattening [2]. These improvements in production results have led to a number of problems: reduced animal resistance, increased susceptibility to stressors, high incidence of metabolic diseases, and increased body fat storage [3, 4, 5]
Genetic potential largely determines the growth intensity, body structure and definite body weight of an animal, and feed is the substrate from which the body should be built [6]

Summary

Introduction

Exceptional progress made in the field of animal nutrition during the past few decades, along with constant (sharp) genetic selection aimed at increasing body weight of broilers and improving feed efficiency, have resulted in reaching the biological limit for achieving animal production results in this segment of poultry production. The broilers (during the early period of fattening) are provided with energy requirements for maintenance (35-40 Kcal ME per day per bird) and daily feed intake at the level of 35% in relation to the ad libitum diet can be accomplished [18].

Results

Conclusion