Effect of choice feeding on the performance of broilers

Abstract

1. Male broilers from 21 to 56 d of age were fed their diet either mixed as pellets or mash, or as separate ingredients presented on a free‐choice basis, to determine whether feeding method affected growth, carcase composition or profitability to 56 d of age.

2. The 12 treatments were: 2 completely balanced diets fed as mash or pellets, 8 choice fed diets containing maize or sorghum as the energy source (whole or mash) and protein concentrate (pellets or mash) and 2 unbalanced mixed mash diets containing 50% grain (maize or sorghum) plus 50% protein concentrate.

3. For the choice treatments, one food, grain (maize or sorghum) or protein concentrate (mash or pellets), was placed in each feeder. Broilers fed the complete pelleted or mash diet received the diet in both feeders. Food consumption was recorded weekly. Broilers were weighed at 42 and 56 d of age.

4. There were no significant differences between treatments and the pelleted control diet with regard to body weight, food consumed, food efficiency, carcase ash, dressing percentage and mortality.

5. Choice fed broilers receiving the energy source as whole grains had larger gizzards while the higher protein diets (50/50) resulted in a higher carcase moisture and protein but lower carcase fat than the broilers fed the pelleted control diet.

6. The main advantage of choice feeding appears to be the economical savings of feeding whole grains as the energy source.