Effect of Feed Restriction on Broiler Chicks Prior to Slaughter: Experimental Investigation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of feed restriction prior to slaughter on the carcass weight of male broiler chicks aged 32 to 40 days. 180 male broiler chicks (Pure line) were randomly selected, labeled, and separated into six groups. The experimental groups were started on the experimental feeding program when they were 32 days old. For eight days, group A was fed ad libitum (control), while groups B and C were fed 120 and 60 gm/bird/day, respectively. Groups D and E fed 120 and 60 grams each bird per day for four days, respectively, followed by four days of no feeding. Food was withheld from Group F for the duration of the experiment (8 days). The experimental diet, which included sorghum, groundnut cake, broiler concentrate, calcium, salt, lysine, methionine, and premix, was designed to be roughly iso caloric-iso nitrogenous. Live body weight, feed consumption, mortality, carcass, and non-carcass data were all measured. The effect of the feed restriction program on male broiler chicks was not significant from 32 to 34 days of age for parameters of final live body weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage. Still, net weight (gain or loss) was affected by the feed restriction program and showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) between experimental groups. Male broilers subjected to feed restriction exhibited the lowest readings for final live body weight, net weight (gain or loss), and carcass weight from 32 to 36 days of age, and the difference was significant (P< 0.01). During the time from 32 to 36 days of age, there has been no significant difference in dressing percentage between experimental groups (P> 0.05). During the period from 32 to 38 days and 32 to 40 days of age, all parameters were significantly affected by the feed restriction program. It was established that the carcass weight of broiler chickens may be regulated utilizing a variety of feed restriction strategies based on market demand and producer circumstances, with a particular focus on the economic return.