Effects of feed restriction and early age thermal conditioning on growth performance and carcass characteristics of meat-type chickens

Abstract

The research was conducted to find out the effects of feed restriction (FR) and thermal conditioning (TC) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers. 216 broilers were studied using completely randomized design in a 2×3 factorial design arrangement. There were two levels of TC (31°C and 37±1°C for 12 h/day) within the first week and three levels of FR (ad libitum feeding; 10% less ad libitum and 20% less ad libitum), were applied after day 22 until day 49. Data were collected on growth performance, carcass characteristics, proximate composition of the meat and hematological composition. ANOVA was conducted and differences between means were determined using Tukey’s Studentized Range Test at p < 0.05. Broilers on FR consumed less feed (p < 0.05) and had lower FCR and abdominal fat than those fed ad libitum. Meat from FR broilers contained higher proteins and moisture with low ether extract (p < 0.05). TC broilers had higher breast muscle, thigh, liver and heart weights (p < 0.05), as well as lower abdominal fat (p < 0.05) than their non-TC counterparts. In conclusion, both feed restriction (10% and 20% less feed) and early age thermal conditioning (37±1°C) improved growth and carcass traits in broilers.