Effect of stocking density on performance of broiler chicks

Abstract

Synopsis In two experiments space allowances of 0.143, 0.122, 0.105 and 0.093 m2/bird and 0.093, 0.078, 0.064 and 0.047 m2/bird were used and their effects on live‐weight, food consumption and food conversion of Cobb broilers up to 10 weeks old were measured. When the space allowance was greater than 0.093 m2/bird there was no effect on any of the characters studied. At 10 weeks old a decrease in space allowance from 0.093 to 0.047 m2/bird was accompanied by reduced final live‐weight and food consumption and increased efficiency of food conversion; the effect on live‐weight was smaller at 9 weeks and was not significant at 8 or 7 weeks. It was concluded that in broiler experiments ending at 8 weeks a space allowance of 0.078 m2/bird (0.8 ft2/bird) is more than adequate.