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Effect of quantitative feed restriction on broiler performance

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Abstract

The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of quantitative feed restriction on the performance of broilers. A total of 270 unsexed broilers were randomly allocated to three treatments: with no feed restriction (T1), one week (T2) and two (T3) weeks of feed restriction from 22 days of age and then fed ad libitum until the age of 42 days. Treatments were replicated three times with 30 birds per replicate. Birds were fed with starter, grower and finisher diets. The feed consumed and body weights were recorded every week from the third to the sixth week. The average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) were computed for each week. At Week 6, body weights of T3 birds were similar (P > 0.05) to those of T1 and T2 birds. There were also no treatment effects on the ADG at Week 6. In addition, no treatment effects (P > 0.05) were observed on ADFI at each stage of growth. Since ADFI and FCR were similar among the three groups, it was concluded that feed restriction by limiting the time to eat was not successful. There was also no evidence of compensatory growth in the restricted groups.

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Abbreviations

T1:

Birds fed ad libitum

T2:

Birds restricted of feed for one week

T3:

Birds restricted of feed for two weeks

ADG:

Average daily gain

ADFI:

Average daily feed intake

FCR:

Feed conversion ratio

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Lindokuhle Project for raising the broilers that were used in the current study. The project was sponsored by Govan Mbeki Research and Development Centre of the University of Fort Hare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice, Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa

    T. L. Khetani, T. T. Nkukwana, M. Chimonyo & V. Muchenje

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  1. T. L. Khetani
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  2. T. T. Nkukwana
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  3. M. Chimonyo
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  4. V. Muchenje
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Correspondence to M. Chimonyo.

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Khetani, T.L., Nkukwana, T.T., Chimonyo, M. et al. Effect of quantitative feed restriction on broiler performance. Trop Anim Health Prod 41, 379–384 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9200-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9200-z

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