The Effect of Early Feed Restriction on Subsequent Performance of Two Commercial Broiler Strains PDF

Keywords

broilers, growth, feed intake

Abstract

Growth, feed intake, feed to gain ratio, and abdominal fat was evaluated in Hubbard and Shaver broilers subjected to early feed restriction using a complete practical diet. The design consisted of 3 feeding regimens: the ad libitum feeding (C), medium restriction (MR), and severe restriction (SR). Feed restriction was imposed during the second and third weeks of age and was followed by ad libitum feeding to the age of 7 to 8 weeks. In all restricted fed birds, weight gain during the refeeding period was sufficiently high to compensate fully for growth retardation during the restriction period. Final body weights of restricted-fed birds were not statistically different from their ad libitum-fed controls. These data demonstrate that the broiler chicken has the ability for compensatory growth when ad libitum feeding follows early feed restriction. Total feed intake was significantly reduced with the increase in feed restriction. No significant differences were found between the two broiler strains for all parameters studied. Females had significantly higher abdominal fat percentages over the males for both strains of birds. However, these sex differences within each age period were statistically indistinguishable. An overview of these results suggests that early feed restriction has no deleterious effect upon final body weights at 7 or 8 weeks of age.