The off feeding intervals effect on some performance traits of broilers

S Kh Ahmed

doi:10.30539/iraqijvm.v38i1.255

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feed restricted (off-feeding intervals) on feed intake, water intake, body weight gain, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, mortality, and dressing percentage of broilers. Two hundred fourty, one day old unsexed, (Ross 308) broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four treatment groups. Each group included three replicates each one had 20 birds. Those assigned as; Control group (T1): birds were fed ad libtium, T2 group feed removed from 8 Am. to 4 Pm., T3 group feed removed from 4 Pm. to 8 Am., T4 group feed removed 8 Am. to 8Am. (skip-a day) all birds were allowed to access feed for above intervals for 8-21 days of age, and re-full fed for the remaining of experiment period 42 days. The results indicated that feed restriction system did significantly (P<0.05) affect live body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio on starter diet period. Feed restriction significantly P<0.05 reduced feed consumption accompanied with water consumption positively correlated, decreases mortality in restriction period and at marketing, and increase dressing percentage, improved characteristics of carcasses at marketing age, the compensatory growth may be appeared after re-full free feeding for restricted groups to reach a close the market weight as control group., that was indicated by an increase in growth rate post feed restriction period especially at week (6th) as compared with the control group

Highlights

Introduction early feed restriction reduces growthPoultry production can play an important performance, compensatory growth in the rerole in poverty alleviation and in the supply of full free feeding period will be attained to quality protein to rural people [1]
The high growth rate which results in stress on those birds can result in metabolic diseases and skeletal disorders that lead to economic losses due to reduced birds performance, high mortality rates and carcass condemnation at slaughter houses [11]
The aim of the present study focused on growth characteristics of chicks subjected to a different treated off feeding intervals those affects broilers performance

Summary

Introduction

Introduction early feed restriction reduces growthPoultry production can play an important performance, compensatory growth in the rerole in poverty alleviation and in the supply of full free feeding period will be attained to quality protein to rural people [1]. Some studies have shown required, early market age, rapid return over that feed restriction could decrease fat content invested capital and the small space required and increase protein deposition in carcasses, for poultry production have increased resulting in the improved carcass awareness that chicken farming is a profitable composition [8]. That the increase in growth rate of modern chickens has been associated with an increase fat deposition This problem most commonly occurs in broilers those are fed ad-libitum [10]. Jones and Farrell, [12] reported that during the period of feed restriction, growth rate is slower than that of birds fed ad-libtium, but when access to feed is again unrestricted, the previously-restricted birds exhibit an accelerated rate of weight gain. The aim of the present study focused on growth characteristics of chicks subjected to a different treated off feeding intervals those affects broilers performance

Methods

Results

Conclusion