The Number of Feathers on the Litter; Another Criterion for Evaluating the Adequacy of Broiler Diets

Abstract

Two studies were conducted in floor pen facilities to evaluate broiler diets containing various protein and amino acid levels. In Study #1 at 48 and 56 and at 49 and 59 days of age in Study #2, the number of body and flight feathers onthe litter in two separate 0.37 sq. meter areas located in the same place in each pen was recorded. In Study #1 Hubbard × Hubbard broiler crosses were employed. There were very few body feathers on the litter at 48 or 56 days of age. At 56 days the birds that had been on a high protein finisher ration had significantly (P < 0.05) more unconsumed feathers on the floor than those birds which had received the low protein finisher diet. In Study #2 both Hubbard × Hubbard and Cobb × Cobb broiler crosses were used. The birds receiving the high protein diets consistantly had more feathers on the litter than those birds receiving the low protein diets. There were significantly (P < 0.01) more feathers on the litter in the pens containing the Cobb × Cobb birds as compared to the pens containing the Hubbard × Hubbard broiler crosses.