Broiler Performance at Different Stocking Densities

In three experiments, Peterson x Hubbard broilers were reared at different stocking densities (SD) in an environmentally controlled (cool cells) house in Yucatan, Mexico. Males were housed until 7 wk of age at: 10, 12, and 14 birds/m2 in Experiment 1: 14,15, and 16 birds/m2 in Experiment 2; and 17, 17.5, and 18 birds/m2 in Experiment 3. For females the SD were 11, 13, and 15 birds/m2, 15, 16, and 17 birds/m2, and 18, 19 and 20 birds/m2. The highest SD of 18 males/m2 resulted in only a 3% decrease in 7-wk body weight compared with the lowest density of 10 males/m2. For females, the difference between the highest and lowest SD was only 1.5%. The reductions in feed consumption at the highest SD compared with the lowest were 3.7 and 3.9% for males and females, respectively. SD did not affect feed conversion or mortality in any of the experiments. The kg of broiler/m2 and profit margins increased with SD up to 17 males/m2 and 19 females/m2.