On-Farm Performance Of Broilers Subjected To 40% Level Of Feed Restriction On The Third Week Of Age

Clarita  T. Dagaas,; Jenny  N. Claveria,

On-Farm Performance Of Broilers Subjected To 40% Level Of Feed Restriction On The Third Week Of Age

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

Abstract:

The study evaluated the performance of broilers grown under intensive production system and subjected to restricted feeding (40% less than the normal feed intake) at 15 to 21 days of age. A total of 8,400 day-old chicks (Hybro G and Ross) were randomly distributed to two treatments (ad libitum and restricted feeding) with three replications using the completely randomized design. Restricted birds were able to register the same body weights as the full-fed birds at 33 days of age. Total feed consumption was significantly lesser (P<0.01) in restricted fed birds. The restricted birds had improved their feed conversion efficiency. Feed restriction did not affect dressing percentage of birds. However, restricted birds had lower (P<0.01) harvest recovery than the ad libitum fed birds. Broilers subjected to feed restriction were observed to be more aggressive and exhibited more competitive behavior at feeding time during the restriction period than the ad libitum fed birds. Income over feed and chick cost (IOFCC) analysis showed that restricted birds gave a higher income on a per kilogram live weight basis than the ad libitum fed birds.