The effect of finisher diet dilution with sand and wheat bran on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks

Abstract EN

An experiment was carried out to assess the effect of diluting finisher broiler diet mixed with sand and wheat bran (wt:wt) on broiler chicks performance and carcass characteristics.

This experiment consisted of four treatments, four replicates, with eight birds per replicate.

The common and finisher rations were formulated approximately according to the National Research Council (NRC) nutrient requirements.

The dilution levels were 0, 10, 15 and 20%.

Chicks were fed a pre-starter diet from day one to 7 days of age; a common starter diet from day 8 to 21days of age.

The experimental diets were fed to the birds from day 22 to 46 (for 24 days).

During the starter period, performance was recorded weekly.

During the experiment feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio were measured weekly.

Feed cost was calculated at the formulation of the diets.

At day 46 of age, two chicks from each replicate were selected and carcass characteristics were measured.

The results indicated that dilution of diet from 22 to 46 days of age decreased feed intake during the dilution period, but the difference is not significant (p≤0.05).

There were no significant differences among treatments for weight gain, feed conversion ratio and final live weight.

Diet dilution had no significant effect on carcass, breast meat, drumsticks, thighs and abdominal fat pad.

This experiment indicated that the broiler chicks can withstand 24 days on reduced energy density when diets were diluted with wheat bran and sand (wt: wt) at the levels of 10 and 15% without any loss in marketable final body weight.