Effects of Timing and Duration of Restricted Feeding on Compensatory Growth in Broilers

The effects of timing (from 3–8 weeks of age) and duration (3–5 weeks) of restricted feeding on compensatory growth of broilers were studied using alternating periods of 24 hr feeding and 24 hr non-feeding. Feed consumption, gain, and feed conversion were determined weekly on an individual basis from 3–8 weeks of age. The method of restricting feed access restricted consumption to approximately 85% of non-restricted controls when imposed for one, two, or three weeks duration, but restriction for four or five weeks was less effective in restricting consumption. Body weight gains during the period of restriction were generally decreased in proportion to that of feed consumption so that feed conversion ratios were similar to controls. The effects of restricted feeding on consumption, gain, and conversion for the 3–8 week period were in general not different for the various timing of restriction subgroups. Very little evidence of compensatory growth for the period following the removal of feed restriction was observed. The eight-week body weights of males were significantly reduced from that of control levels with as little as one week of restriction. The body weights of females were not as severely affected during the period of restriction or at eight weeks. Although feed consumption for the 3–8 week period was reduced as much as 10%, the feed conversion ratio was higher for all restricted groups than for controls. These results indicate that if feed consumption of broilers is significantly depressed for as little as one week at any time over the 3–8 week age period, weight gain will be significantly depressed with a significant decrease in efficiency of feed utilization and lower final body weights.