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International Journal of Poultry Science

Year: 2009 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 35-39
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2009.35.39
Effect of Different Feed Restriction Regimes During the Starter Stage on Productivity and Carcass Characteristics of Male and Female Ross 308 Broiler Chickens
D. J. Novel, J. W. Ngambi, D. Norris and C. A. Mbajiorgu

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different feed restriction regimes during the starter stage (14-21 days) on productivity and carcass characteristics of male and female Ross 308 chickens. A 3 (feeding levels: ad-libitum intake, 50% ad-libitum intake and 75% ad-libitum intake) x 2 (male and female chickens) factorial arrangement in a complete randomized design was used. Feed restriction affected (p<0.05) live weight of chickens at the age of 21 days and male chickens were heavier (p<0.05) than females at the same age. Chickens on 75% ad libitum feeding attained complete compensation in live weight at 42 days of age while those on 50% ad libitum feeding did not. However, male chickens attained higher (p<0.05) live weights than female chickens at 42 days of age. It is suggested that 75% ad libitum restriction feeding during the starter stage from 14 up to 21 days of age may offer some economic advantage over ad-libitum feeding regimen, mainly by enhancing feed utilization. It may, therefore, be a useful nutritional strategy to reduce the cost of commercial starter grain based-diets.

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How to cite this article
D. J. Novel, J. W. Ngambi, D. Norris and C. A. Mbajiorgu, 2009. Effect of Different Feed Restriction Regimes During the Starter Stage on Productivity and Carcass Characteristics of Male and Female Ross 308 Broiler Chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 8: 35-39.

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