The Performance and Incidence of Ascites in Broiler Chickens in Response to Feed Restriction and Meal Feeding Programs

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feed restriction (FR) and meal feeding (MF) on performance, carcass characteristics and related parameters to ascites in Ross 308 male broiler chickens. Five dietary treatments were 1) the control (ad libo. feeding), 2 )feed restriction from 7 to 14 days (FR14), 3) feed restriction from 7 to 21 days (FR21), 4) meal feeding from 7 to 14 days (MF14) and 5) meal feeding from 7 to 21days (MF21). All birds were fed adlibitum for the first week post hatch and after 21 days of age. Four replicate of 12 birds were allocated to each treatment. The results indicated FR and MF21 groups had significantly (p

Keywords

• Feed restriction
• Meal feeding
• Performance
• Ascites
• Broiler