Evaluation of Inferior Quality Pellets on the Growth Performance, Carcass Parameters, and Digestive Organs of Broiler Chickens
Abstract
Feed form can affect broiler performance. However, it has not been conclusively demonstrated whether the improved growth performance is due to processing (conditioning or pelleting), the physical form of the feed, or a combination of these factors. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feed form on the growth performance, carcass and cut yields, small intestinal segment lengths, and weights and ratios of several visceral organs in broiler chickens. A total of 450 14-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were weighed and randomly allocated to five treatments, each with nine replicates, using a randomized complete block design. Experimental groups were as follows: 1, mash; 2, conditioned mash; 3, pellet (inferior quality, characterized by low physical integrity; pellet durability index = 51%); 4, the same pellet feed offered at a level equal to the daily mash feed intake of treatment 1; and 5, ground pellet feed. Broilers were fed the same diet formula from 14 to 40 days of age. The results revealed that pellet feed increased feed intake and body weight gain, as well as improved the feed conversion ratio (p ≤0.05). Broilers fed pellet feed at a level equal to the mash feed intake had the highest carcass yield (p ≤0.05). The highest relative weight of the gizzard was observed in broilers fed mash feed (p ≤0.05). The relative lengths of small intestinal segments were reduced in broilers fed pellet feed (p ≤0.05). Based on these results, it can be concluded that the superior performance of pellet feed is mainly attributable to the increased feed intake associated with the pellet form, rather than to modifications induced by thermal processing.
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