Growth and Body Composition of Broiler Chickens in Response to Different Regimens of Feed Restriction

Abstract

Differences in growth and body composition resulting from four feeding intervals (ad libitum, skip-a-day, daily, or hourly) under dietary restriction between Days 8 and 14 posthatch were investigated with 1,536 male broiler chicks in 32 floor pens. Restricted birds were fed equivalent to [BW(g)].67 kcal/day. On Days 0 to 7 and 15 to 56, all chicks received feed ad libitum. The dietcontained 22% protein and 3,072 kcal/kg. During the week of restriction, weight gain per chick was 204, 25, 18, and 16 g, respectively, for birds receiving feed ad libitum, skip-a-day, daily, and hourly. Restricted chicks lost fat (hourly lost most, daily intermediate, skip-a-day the least) but gained protein (approximately 6 g per chick). On Day 56, BW of restricted chicks was not significantly different from one another, but was significantly less (270g) than that of full-fed birds. Final body composition expressed as a percentage of BW was largely unaffected by treatment. No compensatory growth was observed.