EFFECT OF FEED RESTRICTION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BODY CONFORMATION, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND COST-BENEFIT IN BROILER CHICKENS

A total of two hundred and seven day-old Arbor Acre commercial hybrid broiler type was used to determine the effects of feed restriction on growth performance, frame size/structure, carcass qualities and profitability in an 8-week trial. Group A birds were fed 24-hour post hatch, and subjected to 4-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week; Group B birds were fed 36-hour post hatch, and subjected to 6- hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week while Group C birds were fed 48-hour post hatch, and subjected to 8-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week. The final body weight, average weekly body weight, average weekly feed intake, average weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and percentage mortality were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by the duration of feed restriction. Apart from neck circumference, which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Group C birds, other linear type traits were not affected (P > 0.05) by feed restriction. There were no significant differences in the measured carcass parameters among broilers of the three treatment groups. Total cost of feed (₦) consumed per bird was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group A birds. The gross margin revealed that statistically significant values (₦711.97 versus ₦692.47; P<0.05)) were recorded for birds in Groups C and B compared to those in Group A (₦656.07), It is therefore, suggested that feeding broilers 48-hour post hatch coupled with 8-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week of age could be employed for efficient broiler chicken production.