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The Application of Short-Term Feed Restriction to Broiler Chicken Production: A Review

Department of Animal Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada; Phone: (403) 492-3234; FAX: (403) 492-9130

Correspondence: F. E. Robinson

The application of feed restriction in the production of meat-type (broiler) chickens is controversial. Commercial broilers are invariably fed ad libitum. Fisher [1] noted that even a slight restriction of feed intake might affect the final body weight of broiler chickens adversely. Reece et al. [2] also observed that more adverse than favorable results have been achieved. However, recent research [3] shows that broiler performance may be improved by preventing chickens from feeding for short periods of time throughout the day. North [4] found that mature body weights of broiler chickens are not affected provided that feeding is not interrupted for more than 2 hours at a time. The demonstration of catch-up growth in broiler chickens [5, 6, 7, 8] has also raised new possibilities. This paper examines new developments in feed restriction of broilers and evaluates the potential application of short-term feed restriction to broiler chicken production. The mechanisms responsible for catch-up growth, and the factors which influence this phenomenon, are also discussed.

Key Words: Broiler chicken • feed restriction • catch-up growth • compensatory growth • feed efficiency