The Effects of Feeding Time Restriction on Carcass Yield Characteristics, Gastrointestinal and Immune Organs of Broiler

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of the feeding time restriction with two cycles free access to feed 2 hours/day and 4 hours/day on the body weight of broiler, carcasses characteristics, gastrointestinal tract and immune organs at the end feed restricted and re-alimentation period. This research used two hundred of seven days-old unsexed commercial strain Lohmann of broiler chicken. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 5 treatments and 4 replications. As a control, chickens were fed ad libitum (FR-0); chickens were given free access to feed during two periods of 2 hours from age 7-14 days (FR-1) and age 7-21 days (FR-2); chickens were given free ac cess to feed during two periods of 4 hours from age 7-14 days (FR-3) and age 7-21 days (FR-4). Body weight, carcass yield, breast, and tight muscle weight of broilers subjected to feed time restriction were significantly lower than broilers fed ad libitum at the end of the feed restriction. The empty of crop and gizzard weight were significantly higher than the broilers fed ad libitum at age 14 and 21 days. The weight of bursa Fabricious increased (P<0.05) with the feeding time restriction at age 14 days. However, there were not significant different in all of parameter at the end re-alimentation period (42 days). Based on our findings, feeding time restriction in broilers by 4 hours/day had no negative effect on body weight at slaughter age, carcass characteristics, or gastrointestinal and immune organs.