Flooring Materials for Caged Broilers and Their Effect Upon Performance

Three experiments were conducted to determine broiler performance on various flooring materials. In Experiment 1 the caged reared broilers were heavier than the litter reared broilers. Broilers had a higher incidence of breast blisters when reared on wire (P < 0.05) than on the other floor types. Leg abnormalities were higher (P < 0.05) for broilers reared on the rubber nylon mat over wire. The results of Experiment 2 were similar to the results of Experiment 1 except broilers reared on the rubber nylon mat were not different (P < 0.05) from broilers reared on plastic mats in incidence of breast blisters. In Experiment 3 broilers were reared without breast blisters on plastic mats (low), rubber nylon covered slats, plastic covered rubber slats, and litter. All caged broilers were heavier (P < 0.05) than broilers on litter. Incidence of leg abnormalities were low on all floor types in comparison to the highest plastic mat.