Effect of feed restriction and lysine supplementation during realimentation on productivity and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens.

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of feed restriction during the starter stage and lysine supplementation during realimentation on productivity and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens. In the first experiment, the effects of level and period of feed restriction during the starter period on subsequent productivity were evaluated. A 2 (male and female chickens) x 3 (feeding levels, ad libitum and 75% and 50% of ad libitum) x 3 (restriction periods of 5, 7 and 9 days), factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomized Design was used. The effects interactions were not included in the results because earlier analyses including all the interactions showed that they were not important. Level and period of feed restriction during the starter stage had an effect (P<0.05) on live weight of the chickens at 21 days of age. However, female and male chickens had similar live weights at 21 days of age. Chickens on 75% ad libitum feeding attained complete live weight compensation at the age of 42 days. However, chickens on 50% ad libitum feeding did not ‘catch-up’ with those on ad libitum feeding. Differences due to the period of feed restriction during the starter stage were maintained up to the age of 42 days. Male chickens had higher (P<0.05) live weights at 42 days of age. Abdominal fat pad was not affected (P>0.05) by level and period of feed restriction and sex of chickens at 42 days of age. The second experiment evaluated the effects of feed restriction during the starter stage (14 to 21 days) and levels of lysine supplementation during realimentation (21 to 42 days) on productivity and carcass characteristics of male and female chickens. Feed v restriction affected (P<0.05) live weight of chickens at the age of 21 days and males were heavier (P<0.05) than females at the same age. Chickens on 75% ad libitum feeding attained complete compensation in live weight while those on 50% ad libitum feeding did not. Lysine supplementation during realimentation had no effects (P>0.05) on live weight and carcass characteristics of the chickens at 42 days of age. Male chickens attained higher (P<0.05) live weights than female chickens at 42 days of age.