EFFECT OF PHYSICAL FEED STRUCTURE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS

Abstract

The effect of physical structure of broiler’s feed (pelleted vs. mash feed) on their performance was studied in this trial. Two groups of 300 commercial broilers each (ROSS-308) were created. The control group was fed with mash feed, while the experimental group was fed crumbled feed during the starter phase first three weeks (0-3 weeks) and then pelleted feed until the end of the life (slaughtering). Both feeds were of identical composition and formulation as well as same
environmental and management conditions were provided for both groups. At the end of this trial, it was observed that broilers fed with pelleted feed had a 6-7% higher body weight, a higher carcass weight and a higher meat yield (P<0.01). The same conclusion was drawn on the flock uniformity. The pelleted feed fed group demonstrated a more efficient feed conversion rate (1.81kgfeed/kg live weight). These results clearly demonstrate the advantages of using the crumbled/pelleted feed vs the mash one, since the production parameters of commercial broilers show it.