Effects of age and quantitative feed restriction prior slaughtering on the performance, carcass characteristics and some blood constituents of broilers
Abstract: This work aimed to evaluate the effects of ad libitum versus quantitative feed restriction during a week prior to slaughter on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some blood constituents of 600 unsexed Arbor Acres broilers. Two hundred birds at a week prior to slaughter age of 35, 42 and 49 days old were allocated into one of the four treatments. Treatment 1 was Jed ad libitum (control), while treatments 2, 3 and 4 received 90. 80 and 70% of the average full-fed treatment consumption level at previous day.
Results indicated that birds fed ad libitum significantly recorded the heaviest final body weight compared to the restricted treatments at all slaughter ages. Reduction in the mean weight gain was 12, 24 and 39 % for the 90. 80 and 70% restricted groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the effects of 90 % group and ad libitum group on feed conversion. Feed restriction at levels of 80 and 70 % causes a significant increase in feed conversion. At 42 days, dressing and edible parts percentages achieved better results than 35 and 49 days. Abdominal fat % increased with advancing slaughter age. A positive relation between the feed restriction level and abdominal fat % was found. Feed restriction was accompanied by significantly increase in plasma glucose and total lipids. The highest breast % was observed at 49 days followed by 42 then 35 days of age. Feed restriction resulted in lower breast % comparing to ad libitum feeding.
In conclusion, feed restriction reduced final body weight, weight gain, abdominal fat % and provided a benefit on feed conversion with 90 % feed restriction level. Slaughtering age at 42 days significantly increased the yields of dressing and total edible parts percentages regarding to the four feeding treatments.
Publication year 2004
Pages 509-522
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City الاسكندرية
serial title Egyptian Poultry Science
ISSN 1110-5623
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Age. Blood composition. Broiler chickens. Carcass composition. Performance testing. Slaughtering.
Proposed Agrovoc feed restriction;
Publication Type Journal
↑