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Effects of Early Skip-a-Day Feed Removal on Broiler Live Performance and Carcass Yield

W. A. Dozier, III^*, R. J. Lien, J. B. Hess, S. E. Bilgili, R. W. Gordon, C. P. Laster and S. L. Vieira^||

^* University of Georgia, Department of Poultry Science, Rural Development Center, PO Box 1209, Tifton, Georgia 31793
Department of Poultry Science and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Alabama 36849-5416
Gold Kist, Inc., PO Box 2210, 244 Perimeter Center Parkway NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30301
Breathitt Veterinary Center, Murray State University, PO Box 2000, Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42241-2000
^|| Departmento de Zootecnia, Universdade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 915400-000, Brazil

Correspondence: W. A. Dozier, III, E-mail: bdozier{at}uga.edu

Programs that limit early growth of broilers are widely used to reduce mortality and culling and to improve feed conversion. Skip-a-day feed removal is a technique for limiting early growth and has not been extensively examined for broilers. This technique may be more easily implemented than other commonly used programs. Broilers were subjected to one of the following regimens: provided feed ad libitum to 54 d of age (AL); ad libitum except for 24-h removal periods at 8 and 10 d of age (R2); 24-h removal periods at 8, 10, 12, and 14 d of age (R4); or 24-h removal periods at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 d of age (R6). Body weights at the end of feed removal were reduced 29, 35, and 41% by R2, R4 and R6 treatments, respectively, when compared with the AL treatment for the same periods. Average daily gains on R4 and R6 treatments were greater upon resumption of feeding ad libitum. Feed removal for a total of 2 or 4 d did not decrease final body weight, feed consumption, or carcass weight; however, removal for a total of 6 d decreased these variables. Cumulative feed conversion, BW, uniformity, mortality, carcass yield, carcass weight, abdominal fat pad, and feed costs per pound of body and carcass weights were not affected by feed removal. These results indicate subjecting broilers to 4 d of feed removal significantly reduced early growth without compromising final weight or meat recovery.

Key Words: broiler • feed restriction • mortality