Converting Male Broilers to Periodic Feeders: Effects on Food Intake, Growth and Body Composition , , ,

Broilers, Gallus domesticus, were converted to “meal-eaters” (periodic feeders), and food intake, growth, and body composition were evaluated. A meal was defined as unlimited access to an unrestricted amount of feed for a 2- or 1 1/2-hr feeding period. Employing a standard broiler starter ration, (3234 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME)), 1, 2, and 3 meals per day were found inadequate to support optimal growth and feed conversion. No significant differences were found in body weight, feed conversion or body composition between a 4-meal treatment group and controls fed ad lib. When a high energy ration (3454 kcal/kg ME) was fed to the following treatment groups: 3, 4, 5 meal, and ad lib. controls, the 5-meal group displayed a significantly greater rate of growth and a lower feed conversion. No significant differences were found in body composition or digestive tract measurements among any of the treatment groups. It is suggested that periodic feeding may be a possible technique for use by the broiler industry to further improve growth rate and feed conversion of broilers.