Philippine E-Journals

Performance of Broilers under Different Levels of Feed Restriction at an Early Age

Clarita T. Dagaas | Ron Ryan V. Bustria

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

 

Abstract:

The experiment determined the effects of different levels of feed restriction (20%, 30%, 40% and 50% less than normal feed intake) on young male and female broilers. A total of 180 Arbor Acre chicks, 90 for each sex, were randomly distributed to five treatments with three replications using the completely randomized design. Full body weight recovery was observed as early as the 4th week of age. Moreover, feed restriction at an early age improved feed efficiency of broilers immediately after feed restriction. Overall feed efficiency was not affected by feed restriction applied during the 5th day to 11th day of age. Likewise, the feed restriction program did not affect dressing percentage and abdominal fat content. Male broilers performed significantly better than female broilers in terms of final body weight and gain in weight but not in overall feed efficiency. Five percent mortality was incurred during the period of study. Income over feed and chick cost analysis showed that feed restriction at an early age with 40% less than normal feed intake is most profitable and is, therefore, recommended. However, there is still need to improve the method and level of restriction in order to see whether feed restriction could affect dressing percentage, reduce abdominal fat content and further improve feed efficiency.