FEED STRATEGIES ▶▶▶
Feed restriction in broiler production
Although early feed restriction in broilers reduces growth performance, compensatory growth in the refeeding period will be attained to accelerate growth so as to reach the target weight of birds at the time of marketing.
BY SALAH ESMAIL F
Ad lib feeding can induce a too rapid growth rate, associated with ascites, lameness and mortality.
eed restriction has been adopted in broiler produc- tion to avoid rapid growth rate, which is associated with ascites, lameness, mortality, and poor repro- ductive results. In addition, feed restriction in the
early stage is beneficial for improving the feed efficiency and decreasing the rearing cost. This article will provide some in- sight into feed restriction methods, duration, and advantag- es, along with the strategies to be considered for maximum benefits of that system.
Feed restriction methods The following are the procedures that can be applied to manipulate the feeding strategies of poultry in order to
decrease growth and metabolic rate to some extent and so alleviate the incidence of some metabolic diseases as well as improving feed conversion in broiler chickens.
Physical feed restriction Physical feed restriction supplies a calculated amount of feed per bird, which is often just enough to meet maintenance re- quirements. Practical application of physical feed restriction, however, is not simple due to the problems of regularly weighing birds, and calculating feed consumption on a daily basis. Moreover, it is necessary to provide sufficient feeder space in order to prevent competition among restricted birds and to prevent the unequal growth. The feeding of high fibre diets has been used as an alterna- tive to the physical feed restriction method. In some cases, however, birds were able to adapt to high fibre diet contain- ing up to 55% rice hulls. Such adaptation enables them to digest and get more energy (and possibly other nutrients) than is required to achieve the desired growth retardation during the under nutrition period. This situation will obvi- ously interfere with the total energy and another nutrient intake of the birds during under nutrition, thereby changing their growth pattern.
Skip-a-day feeding Removing feed for 8-24 hour periods during the starter peri- od has been reported to decrease early growth and reduce the incidence of ascites without affecting the final body. It has also been reported that the skip-a day feeding for three weeks starting at day-old would improve carcass quality and reduce sudden death syndrome which is often associated with birds that are on ad libitum feed intake.
Lighting programs Lower cumulative feed intake and significantly improved feed conversion and compensatory growth were observed in chickens under an intermittent program (1 light:3 dark from 8 to 49 days) compared with those under a continuous light- ing schedule (23 light: 1 dark). The use of intermittent light- ing programs also has the advantage of reducing electricity costs, the incidence of leg abnormalities and sudden death syndrome with no reduction of weight at market age. Geno- type, sex, feeder space, diet composition and stocking
12 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 2, 2018
PHOTO: JAN WILLEM VAN VLIET
PHOTO: HANS PRINSEN
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28
