Effect of Restricted Feeding on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Hematology, Internal Organs, and Intestinal Histomorphology of Broilers

Abstract

Feed restriction can be used in an attempt to save feed costs in the broiler business because it can encourage compensatory growth in broilers. This study was conducted to determine the effect of restricted feeding through the fasting method on growth performance, carcass traits, digestive organs, blood hematology, and intestinal histomorphology of broilers. A total of 240-day-old male New Lohmann broilers were randomly assigned to two treatments: ad libitum feeding (AF) and restriction feeding (RF). Restricted feeding is carried out by fasting method once a week after the brooding period at 10, 17, 24, and 31 d. Each treatment was replicated in 15 groups (each replicate consisted of 8 broilers). Data collected during the study were broiler growth performance, carcass traits, relative weight of digestive and immune organs, blood hematology, and intestinal histomorphology of broilers. The data obtained were statistically analyzed with an independent t-test analysis. The results showed RF decreased body weight gain at 21 d but was not different at 33 d than the AF group. The RF group had an increase in jejunum relative weight, jejunum villus width, and villus: Crypt ratio. In conclusion, feed restriction through the fasting method can be implemented without negative effects on final performance, carcass traits and immune system.