The experiment was carried out on 250 day-old broiler chicks to study the effect of feed restriction on the performance of broilers. The day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into five equal groups. Group A was control receiving ad libitum feed. Group B received feed for 12 hours during day time and was off fed during night hours. Group C received feed for three hours and was off fed for three hours in cyclic manner. The group D received feed for six hours and was off fed for three hours in cyclic manner. The birds from group E received feed for three hours and was off fed for six hours in cyclic manner. The feed restriction program was followed during second week only. Birds from group B recorded significantly lower live weights at the end of five weeks as compared to control and all other treatment groups. Weight gain recorded by birds from control group was higher than treatment groups. Amongst treatments, birds from group B recorded lowest gain in weight and feed intake. Feed intake of birds from groups E and D was slightly higher than control and other treatment groups. The feed conversion ratios of birds from groups A and B were superior to other treatment groups. The total mortality in all groups was well within limits indicating no ill effect of feed restriction on the health of birds. The net profit realized was comparable for all the groups. It is concluded that the regimens of feed restriction followed for birds from groups C and D are suitable in broilers without severely affecting the performance of birds.
Broiler, Broiler nutrition, Feed restriction, Poultry
