Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary amino acid levels, and feeding method on broiler performance and carcass characteristics. Experimental design was based on completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement with 3 feeding method (control, intermittent feeding and continue feed withdrawal), and 2 amino acid levels (Arian typically recommended and 8-10 % more). Each treatment was replicated to 6 pens with 23 male broilers per pen. In control feeding no feed withdrawal was applied. In intermittent feeding from 11 to 24 days 4 times an hour’s feed allowance and 4 hours restriction and 1 time an hour’s feed allowance and 3 hours restriction was applied. From 25 days 4 times an hour’s feed allowance and 4 hours restriction and from 1 am to 6 am no feed restriction was applied. In continue feeding from 11 to 24 days 6 hours and from 25 days 4 hours feed withdrawal was applied. Feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), mortality, and feed conversion were measured on 11, 24, 36, 45, and 49 day. At the end of the experiment carcass percentage, breast, leg and abdominal fat were measured with 5 birds from each pen. Data were analyzed by completely randomized design. Feed conversion was improved by both increasing amino acid levels and feed restriction methods (p<0.05). Broilers fed high density amino acid diet had increased BW at the age of 36, 45 and 49 days when compared with broilers fed standard amino acid recommendation (p<0.05). Feed restriction had no adversely effect on BW. Feed intake was positively reduced by increasing the duration of feed withdrawal. No effect of dietary amino acid density was observed for FI. Amino acid had inversely effect on carcass yield (p<0.05). Feed restriction reduced yield of breast and back (p<0.05). Continue feed withdrawal schedule reduced mortality more than other feeding programs. The present experiment shows that Overall improvements in economically important parameters may be observed by continue feed withdrawal when standard amino acid concentration is used.
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