Evaluation of strain, dietary energy level and stocking density on broiler feathering

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of strain, stocking density and dietary energy level on the feathering of broiler chickens. Four trials were carried out between September 2000 and April 2002. There were 10,685 broiler chicks from the strains Ross 308, Cobb 500, Hybro PG, Hubbard, MPK, and Isa Vedette. The bids were reared at stocking densities varying between 10 and 16 birds/m 2 and were given diets containing different metabolizable energy levels. Broiler feathering was evaluated either by atrributing scores from 1 to 10 to feather covering along the thigh and back (visual inspection), or by determining the percentage weight of the feathers at 28 and 42 days of age. Increasing rearing densities resulted in poorer feathering, mainly if 12 or 13 birds/m 2 were compared with 16 birds/m 2 . The strains showed different feathering; it was better in Cobb 500 and MPK birds, whereas Hubbard birds showed poorer feathering, mostly along the back. The energy level in the diet has also affected feathering scores. Medium energy level resulted in better feathering along the back at 28 days, and the low level, in better feathering along the thigh at 35 days of age. Finally, feather scores were better in females than in males.

High dietary biotin levels affect the footpad and hock health of broiler chickens reared at different stocking densities and litter conditions

“…In accordance with previous studies (Sørensen et al, 2000;Moreira et al, 2006;Buijs et al, 2009;Ventura et al, 2010;Sun et al, 2011Sun et al, , 2013, FI, BW gain, FCR, breast muscle yield, footpad dermatitis and hock burns were all adversely affected by the HSD treatment, indicating detrimental effects on performance and well-being. This was speculated to stem partially from difficulty maintaining dry litter with more watery excreta per unit area (Dozier et al, 2005(Dozier et al, , 2006Meluzzi et al, 2008b).…”

Feather growth, bodyweight and body temperature in broiler lines with different feathering rates

“…Sire lines also had longer primary feathers than the dam lines. The similarity in length of the primary feathers at later ages was consistent with Lou (1994), Moreira et al (2006) and Bang et al (2018). The longer primary feathers observed in the sire lines might be because of selection for the growth traits.…”

Xylanase and Direct-Fed Microbials (DFM) Potential for Improvement of Live Performance, Energy Digestibility, and Reduction of Environmental Microbial Load of Broilers

“…Acceptable uniformity is indicated by a CV (percentage values) for BW <10%. Flock uniformity percentage at 21 days was more than 10%, which could be due to this being a straight-run flock (including both males and females); during the first 21 days, males and females differ in target organ nutrient deposition; males give priority for muscle accretion, mainly breast muscle, while females give priorities for feathering leading to a fully-feathered females by 21 days, whereas males become fully feathered by 35 days of age ( 35 ). By that time, fully-feathered females would have started depositing nutrients for muscle growth leading to overall improved flock uniformity seen at 35 and 42 days, which was similar to other researchers ( 32 ).…”