Effect of dietary restriction and hay inclusion in the diet of slow-growing broilers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary restriction and inclusion of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon cv Coastal) hays in the diets of ISA Label JA57 slow-growing male broilers on performance, gastrointestinal tract characteristics, and economic viability. A total of 272 broilers at 21 days old were distributed in a randomized experimental design with four treatments, four replicates, and 17 birds per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of ad libitum concentrated feed (control intake), feed restriction (80% of the control intake), and feed restrictions with supplementation of alfalfa hay (80% of the control intake+20% alfalfa) or Bermudagrass hay (80% control intake+20% Bermuda). Dietary restriction, with and without hay inclusion, negatively affected (P<0.05) the weight gain of the birds; however, feed conversion was improved (P<0.05) for animals that underwent only restricted feeding, which also had the best economic indices. Birds subjected to dietary restriction and inclusion of hays showed changes (P<0.05) in the gastrointestinal organs and intestinal morphology.

Keywords

• Caecal pH, Dietary fibre, Economic viability, Litter moisture, Morphometric analysis