Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of quantitative feed restriction on broiler performance

Tropical Animal Health and Production volume 41, pages 379–384 (2009)Cite this article

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1

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

References

  • Bruno, L.D.G., Furlan, R.L., Malheiros, E.B. and Macari M., 2000. Influence of early quantitative food restriction on long bone growth at different environmental temperatures in broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 41(4): 389–394. doi:10.1080/713654955

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crouch, A. N., 2000. The effects of physical feed restriction on body composition and reproductive performance of commercial large white turkey breeder hens and its subsequent economic impact. PhD thesis, North Carolina State University, U.S.A.

  • Giachetto, P.F., Guerreiro, E.N., Ferro, J.A., Ferro, M.I.T., Furlan, R.L. and Macari M., 2003. Performance and hormonal profile in broiler chickens fed with different energy levels during post restriction period. Animal Nutrition, 38: 6–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gous, R. M and Cherry, P., 2004. Effects of body weight at, and lighting regimen and growth curve to, 20 weeks on laying performance in broiler breeders. British Poultry Science, 454: 4(4)5–452. doi:10.1080/00071660400001256

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts, T., Room, G., Buyse, J., Lippens, M., De Groote, G. and Decuypere, E., 2000. Early and temporary quantitative food restriction of broiler chickens. 2. Effects on allometric growth and growth hormone secretion. British Poultry Science, 41 (3): 355–362. doi:10.1080/713654923

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hocking, P.M., Bernard, R. and Robertson, G.W., 2002a. Effects of low dietary protein and different allocations of food during rearing and restricted feeding after peak rate of lay on egg production, fertility and hatchability in female broiler breeders. Broiler Poultry Science, 43(1): 94–103. doi:10.1080/00071660120109908

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hocking, P.M., Maxwell, M.H., Robertson, G.W. and Mitchell, M.A., 2002b. Welfare assessment of broiler breeders that are food restricted after peak rate of lay. British Poultry Science, 43(1): 5–15. doi:10.1080/00071660120109818

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leeson S. and Summers J.D., 2005. Feeding programs for broiler chickens: growth restriction. Commercial Poultry Nutrition, 3rd Edition, University Books, Guelph, Ontario; page 248–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lippens, M., Room, G., De Groote, G. and Decuypere, E., 2000. Early and temporary quantitative food restriction of broiler chickens. 1. Effects on performance characteristics, mortality and meat quality. British Poultry Science, 41(3): 343–354. doi:10.1080/713654926

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mansour, K.M., Siam, S.S. and Osman, A.M.R., 2004. Effects of age and quantitative feed restriction prior to slaughtering on the performance, carcass characteristics and some blood constituents of broilers. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal, 24(2): 509–522.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, B.L., Litherland, M. and Noddegaard, F., 2003. Effects of qualitative and quantitative feed restriction on the activity of broiler chickens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 83: 309–323. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(03)00137-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rezaei, M., Teimouri, A., Pourreza, J., Syyahzadeh, H. and Waldroup, P.W., 2006. Effect of diet dilution in the starter period on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 7 (1): 63–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rincon, M.U., 2000. Mild feed restriction and compensatory growth in the broiler. MSc Thesis, University of Guelph, Canada.

  • Rincon, M.U. and Leeson, S., 2002. Quantitative and qualitative feed restriction on growth characteristics of male broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 81: 679–688.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleh, E.A., Watkins, S.E., Waldroup, A.L., and Waldroup, P.W., 2005. Effects of early feed restriction of live performance and carcass composition of male broilers grown for further processing. Poultry Science Association, 14: 87–93.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Savory, C.J., Lariviere, J.-M., 2000. Effects of qualitative and quantitative food restriction treatments on feeding motivational state and general activity level of growing broiler breeders. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 69(2): 135–147. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(00)00123-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS), 2000. SAS User’s Guide: Statistics (Version 6 Ed.). SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teimouri, A., Razaei, J., Pourreza, J., Sayyazadeh, H. and Waldroup, P.W. 2005 Effect of diet dilution in starter period on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. International Journal of Poultry Science, 4(12): 1006–1011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tolkamp, B.J., Sandilands, V., Kyriazakis, I., 2005. Effects of qualitative feed restriction during rearing on the performance of broiler breeders during rearing and lay. Poultry Science, 84(8): 1286–1293.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tumova, E., Skrivan, M., Skrivanova, V., and Kacerovska, L. 2002 Effect of early feed restriction on growth in broiler chickens, turkeys and rabbits. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 47 (10): 418–428.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

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.

Author information

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

Authors
  1. T. L. Khetani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. T. Nkukwana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Chimonyo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. V. Muchenje
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Chimonyo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

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

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

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

Keywords

search

Navigation