International Journal of Poultry Science
1682-8356
1994-7992
Asian Network for Scientific Information
10.3923/ijps.2005.1006.1011
A. Teimouri
M. Rezaei
J. Pourreza
H. Sayyahzadeh
P.W. Waldroup
12
2005
4
12
The effect of energy and
protein dilution in the starter period (8 to 14 days) of age, on performance
and carcass characteristics of 360 Arian male chicks was studied in
a completely randomized design. This experiment consisted of 6 treatments,
4 replicates, with 15 chicks per replicate. In order to dilute the diets
six levels (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20) percent of ground wood charcoal
was used. Chicks were fed with starter and grower diet from 15 to 21
and 22 to 42 days of age respectively. During the experiment feed intake,
body weight gain, feed conversion ratio were measured weekly. Mortality
was measured throughout the experiment. At 43 day of age 4 chicks each
treatment was selected and carcass characteristics were measured. The
results indicated that dilution of diet from 8 to 14 days of age increased
feed intake in this period but, the differences were not significant.
With increasing dilution rate body weight gain of chicks significantly
decreased in comparison to control group (P< 0.05). Due to compensatory
growth after restricted period, there was not significant difference
in body weight among restricted and control groups at 42 days of age.
There was not significant difference among the treatments for feed conversion
ratio in whole period of the experiment (8 to 42 day). Similarly, there
was not significant difference among the treatments for caloric conversion
ratio in whole period of the experiment (8 to 42 day). Mortality rate
in restricted groups was significantly lower than control group (P< 0.05).
Diet dilution hadn`t significant effect on carcass, breast meat, drumsticks,
thighs, liver, intestine, abdominal fat percentages. The results of
the present study indicated that broiler chicks can withstand a 7-day
period (from 8 to 14 days) feed restriction with ground wood charcoal
in early age without loss in performance.]]>