Performance and Carcass Quality of Broilers Grown on Raised Floorings and Litter

Four trials were conducted to compare performance of broilers grown on three types of raised floorings with broilers grown on conventional litter. One rice hull litter (Litter) floor and three raised floors were tested. The three raised floors were 1) black plastic-coated expanded metal, 2) white plastic flooring with rectangular openings (Wh-Lg), and 3) white plastic flooring with square openings. Stocking densities of 22.5 broilers/m2 were tested on the raised floors against 13.5 broilers/m2 on the litter floor in all four trials. Equivalent lower densities (13.5/m2) were compared across all floor types in Trial 4. Final (8 wk) weights were significantly heavier (P<.05) for broilers grown on litter than for broilers grown on raised floors in one of four trials for males and one of three trials for females. No differences in body weight were found among males grown on raised floors in four trials and in only one of three trials for females. Feed conversion was significantly superior for broilers grown on litter floors than for broilers grown on the raised floors in two of four trials with no differences among raised floors. Percentage of mortality was least on litter floors (low density) and greatest for broilers grown on Wh-Lg floors, although no differences were found when floors were compared across equal densities in Trial 4. Percentage incidence and relative severity of breast blisters and infected feather follicles were significantly greater (P<.05) for broilers grown on raised floors than for those grown on litter. No consistent differences were found among broilers grown on raised floors. No significant (P<.05) interaction between floor type and stocking density occurred in Trial 4.