Prediction of maximum scaled feed intake in broiler chickens based on physical properties of bulky feeds. Issue 6 (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nascimento, M. Q. D.; Gous, R. M.; Reis, M. D. P.; Fernandes, J. B. K.; Sakomura, Nilva
• Is Part Of: British poultry science. Volume 61:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 676
• Page End: 683
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: Bulk capacity -- water holding capacity -- fibre -- gastrointestinal tract -- modelling; Poultry -- Periodicals; Poultry industry -- Periodicals; 636.500941
• DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2020.1799330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1668

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 1. A trial was conducted to investigate the capacity of broiler chickens to consume bulky feeds during three stages of growth. These phases were from 1 to 15 d, 16 to 30 d and from 31 to 45 d. 2. A basal feed was serially diluted (0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 10% or 15%) with one of five diluents (cellulose fibre, sawdust, rice husk, sand or vermiculite) to produce 25 feeds which were supplied on an a d libitum basis to the birds in each phase. Cobb 500® strain chicks were used, and, within each phase, each feed was given to nine individually-caged birds, 225 in total, distributed in a completely randomised design. 3. Intake increased initially, and then declined, as the proportion of each diluent increased. The consumption of feeds that limited intake were directly proportional to metabolic body weight and so a scaled feed intake, expressed as g/BW 0.67 per day, was calculated. There were large effects of feed type on intake, in the short term, with consumption of a bulky feed leading to higher intakes. 4. It was concluded the Water Holding Capacity (WHC) content of the feeds could be appropriate measurement of 'bulk' responsible for limiting intake and could be used to predict maximum feed intake capacities of broiler chickens fed bulky diets.