Energy Restriction as a Means of Reducing Fat Pads in Broilers

Abstract

Two studies, 10 days each, were conducted to investigate the effect of energy restriction during the finishing period on abdominal fat in broilers. A total of 300 broilers, 52 days of age, were used in the first study, and 512 broilers, 46 days of age, were used in the second study. The experimental treatments restricted energy intake but maintained full minimum daily requirements of all other nutrients. When this restriction was done, the nutrient density of the diets was increased to partially compensate for the decreased feed allowance. A graduated reduction of 21 to 32% and 16 to 24% in daily energy intake was obtained in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Fat pad weights of the broilers were decreased as the daily energy intake was decreased. Weight gain decreased, which resulted in reducing the final carcass weight. Energy restriction did not influence dressing percent and resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of feed required to produce a gram of cooked carcass.