Performance of Broiler Breeder with Restricted Feeding During Growing Period

Red Cornish pullets and cockerels were subjected to quantitative and qualitative feed restriction from 7 to 20 wks of age. While the control group (T1) was fed ad lib on diet containing 16.6 per cent protein and 2800 Kcal ME/Kg energy, the other two were offered 85 per cent (T2) and 70 per cent (T3) of feed consumed by T1. However, group T4 was offered a diet containing 15 per cent protein and 2500 Kcal ME/Kg energy at the rate of 85 per cent of T1. Significant differences (P< 0.01) in body weights at all ages were observed. The body weight distribution in T3 and T4 was more uniform and more than 95 per cent of birds were within the range of ± 10 per cent of target body weight. Age at sexual maturity (10 per cent production) was 170, 174 and 181 d in T2, T3 and T4, respectively as compared to that of 161 din T1 Except for abdominal fat content, no significant differences were observed in feed efficiency, Ranikhet disease titre value, mortality and organ weights among the treatments. Results indicated that considerable feed restriction (T3 and T4) is desirable during the growing period to achieve an optimum performance in broiler breeders.