Ali Reza Amouyan Khaveh; Mohammad Amir Karimi Torshizi; Farid Shariatmadari
Volume 18, Issue 1 , April 2016, , Pages 85-94
Abstract
Effect of intermittent mash-pellet feeding programs on broilers performance, ascites susceptibility and economic yield was studied using 480 broilers in six treatments and five replicates of 16 chicks per pen were used in a completely randomized design. Treatments including: 1. Mash feed, 2. Heated-mash ...
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Effect of intermittent mash-pellet feeding programs on broilers performance, ascites susceptibility and economic yield was studied using 480 broilers in six treatments and five replicates of 16 chicks per pen were used in a completely randomized design. Treatments including: 1. Mash feed, 2. Heated-mash feed, 3. Mash feed in starter and grower and pellet feed in finisher, 4. Mash feed in starter and pellet feed in grower and finisher, 5. Pellet feed, 6. Grinded-pellet feed. Pellet feeding increased the feed intake and body weight gain and improved the feed conversion ratio, although the ascites susceptibility increased (P<0.01). Mash feeds decreased the body weight gain and increased the feed conversion ratio (P<0.01). Feeding pellet in finisher resulted in the same feed conversion ratio with feeding pellet for whole period or grower and finisher periods, however feed conversion ratio in pellet fed birds was better than mash fed birds (P<0.01). Feeding pellet for whole period is necessary to obtain maximum feed intake and body weight gain. Feeding mash feed in the first four weeks or whole period reduced the ascites susceptibility (P<0.01). The ascites susceptibility increased by increase in pellet feeding length (P<0.01). Feeding pellet diets reduced the feed cost for a kg live weight production and the increased gross profit compared to mash diets (P<0.05). In order to use the benefits of pellet feed and avoid high mortality rates and ascites susceptibility, it is recommended to start with mash feed and fed pellet in growing and finisher periods.