The rapid growth of broiler chickens can sometimes lead to metabolic disorders, skeletal issues, and excessive fat deposition, all of which affect chicken welfare and production efficiency. Feed restriction is a questionable management method used during various growth periods to improve economic efficiency, optimise gut development, and reduce the prevalence of metabolic and skeletal issues. This study aimed to ascertain the effect of feed restrictions on physiological and behavioural responses in broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old broiler chickens, with an average body weight of 45 ± 3 g, were randomly allocated into three treatment groups. All chicks were fed ad libitum during the starter phase to promote uniform growth and health during this critical early stage of development. Upon reaching the grower phase (21 days), they were allocated to one of three experimental groups (n=80), including an untreated group with no feed restriction (FR0), a mild restriction (FR1) group with feed withheld for evry other days, and a moderate feed restriction (FR2) group with feed withheld for every two days. Welfare indicators, including feather condition, pecking behaviour, footpad and skin health, eye, beak, and comb conditions, gait score, body condition, vent pasting, and respiratory function, were evaluated at 42 days. Significant differences were observed across the feed restriction groups in feather condition, pecking behaviour, footpad and skin health, gait score, and body condition compared to FR0. However, respiratory function, condition of the eye, beak, and comb were not affected. Chickens in the FR0 group exhibited superior welfare outcomes, including the highest feather condition score, lowest aggression levels, healthiest footpads, and optimal body condition. In contrast, the FR2 group experienced lowest welfare outcomes including lowest feather wear score, higher aggression, and poor body condition. The present study demonstrated that broiler welfare indicators, such as feather condition, pecking behaviour, body condition score, gait score, and footpad and skin condition, are significantly impacted by feed restriction.
Christinah et al. (Mon,) studied this question.