Abstract:
Excessive fat in modern broiler strains is one of the major problems faced by the broiler industry.
This experiment was conducted to study the effect of feed restriction at early age on broiler chicken performance, meat quality, abdominal fat content, and serum lipid profile. Two hundred, Cobb500 day-old
broiler chicks were randomly assigned into five treatments; T1: ad-libitum feeding (control), T2 and T3:
75 and 50% of ad-libitum feeding from day 8 - 14, respectively, T4 and T5: 75 and 50% of ad-libitum feeding from day 15 - 21, respectively. All birds were fed with ad-libitum before and after the completion of
the respective restriction periods. Total feed intake was significantly lower (p<0.05) in T3 and T5 compared to the birds in the control group. However, no differences (p>0.05) were observed in weight gain,
feed conversion ratio, and dressing percentage among the treatments. Abdominal fat and muscle crude
fat contents in birds fed with restricted diets from day 8 - 14 were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared
to the control. There was no influence (p>0.05) of treatments on organ weights, muscle protein contents, and serum lipid profile. In conclusion, 50% feed restriction during day 8 - 14 is a better solution
to reduce the fat deposition without interfering on growth performances of broiler chicken with lower cost.
