Broiler performance, body weight variance, feed and water intake, and carcass quality at different stocking densities

Abstract

The effects of four stocking and water nipple densities on broiler performance and carcass traits were measured in two trials. The stocking densities of 23.8, 17.9, 14.3, and 11.9 birds/m2 corresponded to 260, 195, 156, and 130 birds per pen, respectively. The water nipple densities were 5, 10, 15, and 20 birds per water nipple. Birds in Trial 1 were processed at Day 39 and those in Trial 2 were processed at Day 42. Water and feed were provided ad libitum and light was provided 23 h/ d. Water nipple density had no effect on broiler performance or carcass quality. Birds grown at 23.8 birds/m2 had lower BW (1,898 g) and carcass weights (1,334 g), whereas birds grown at 14.3 birds/m2 had the highest BW (1,985 g) and carcass weights (1,432 g). Although the treatment with 23.8 birds/m2 gave the lowest BW, the yield of broilers per unit of floor space was highest (46.0 kg/m2). The coefficient of variation for BW was higher in the treatment with 11.9 birds/m2 (15.3 %) than in the other treatments (13.0%). The birds in the treatment with 11.9 birds/m2 consumed the least feed (2,993 g/bird) and those in the 14.3 birds/m2 treatment consumed the most feed (3,183 g/bird). The amount of water consumed and the water to feed ratio was highest in the 23.8 birds/m2 treatment (5,546 mL/bird and 1.85 mL/g, respectively). Stocking density had no effect on mortality, breast yield, carcass grading, incidence of scratches, or carcass quality. It was concluded high yield per unit area with good carcass quality could be achieved when ventilation rate and air circulation were adequate.

Impact of stocking density and feeding regimen on broilers: performance, carcass traits and bone mineralisation

“…When examined carcass characteristics (Table 2), stocking density did not affect the carcass yield and other carcass features as also reported by previous studies (Feddes et al 2002;Dozier et al 2006). However, ad libitum feeding program increased breast meat ratio parallel to increasing BW and reduced wings, neck and back ratios.…”

Conventional and organic cropping systems of farming in Osun State of Nigeria

“…Table 3 show that at plot CN, the highest yield in tonnes/ha of cassava yield was 11.8 with production cost (excluding costs of seed, land clearing, planting, fertilizing and all that are common to both methods of weeding) of 11,600 naira. Figure of merit which is defined as yield in tonnes/ha per unit total production cost (Feddes et al, 1999) evaluated for the plots and shown in Table 4. The highest figure of merit was 7.52×10 -4 tonnes/ha Naira for plot CN while plot OG had 3.51 ×10 -4 tonnes/ha Naira.…”

“…Figure of merit which is defined as yield in tonnes/ha per unit total production cost (Feddes et al, 1999) for economic analysis were evaluated for different methods of cropping to determine the best methods that gave the farmer highest income. One-way ANOVA and pair t-tests were used for the statistical analysis of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.…”

SocialLab – Nutztierhaltung im Spiegel der Gesellschaft

“…Future studies could conduct cost-benefit analyses of higher welfare standards enabling a more complete assessment of alternative options. Dawkins et al 2003;Ellendorff et al 2002;Fanatico et al 2005;Feddes et al 2002;Ghosh et al 2012;Knierim 2013;Puron et al 1995;Reiter und Bessei 2000;Stahl et al 2002;Tuyttens et al 2008;Wolf-Reuter 2004 Bodenhaltung Das Töten von Eintagsküken ist sowohl in der konventionellen als auch in der ökologischen Haltung von Legehennen üblich, weil die Mast der männlichen Küken der Legelinien aufgrund der geringen Mastleistung unrentabel ist (Damme 2015;Rautenschlein 2016). Die Geschlechtsbestimmung im Ei, die Mast der männlichen Tiere der Legehybriden oder Zweinutzungshuhnrassen bilden drei Alternativen zur Eintagskükentötung (Bruijnis et al 2015).…”