Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential of nonconventional diets with high protein to calorie ratios to limit abdominal fat in broilers. In experiment 1, 1,100 male and 900 female chicks were randomly assigned to one of three starter regimes from 0-21 days: (1) CON-control starter, (2) LE1-low energy starter fed from 0-7 days followed by the control starter, and (3) LE2-control starter from 0-7 days, low energy starter from 8-14 days and the control starter from 15-21 days. Birds from each starter regime received one of three grower rations from 22-58 days: (1) CON20-control grower, (2) FTHR25-grower with 25% protein and 8% feather meal, and (3) SOY25-corn-soybean meal-based grower with 25% protein. All three growers were formulated to be isocaloric. The starter treatments did not affect body weight at market age (49, 58 days) in either sex. At 58 days, the SOY25 ration produced significantly lower body weights in females than did the CON20 ration. Both the FTHR25 and SOY25 rations significantly limited 49 day male body weight. The LE2 starter reduced feed efficiency in both males and females during the second week. Yet, neither the starter nor grower treatments significantly affected the overall feed efficiencies of either sex. When fed from 22-51 days of age, the FTHR25 and SOY25 grower rations significantly and equally suppressed 51 day abdominal fat pad weight. The FTHR25 and SOY25 diets did not affect abdominal fat accumulation at 56 days. Neither low-energy starter regime reduced abdominal fat. Indeed, the low-energy starters when fed with the CON20 grower increased 56 day abdominal fat. In experiment 2, pullets fed a high protein, feather meal-based regime from the third or fourth week of life were found to have lower body weights at 55 days and less abdominal fat at 56 days than controls. The high protein, feather meal regime did not alter abdominal fat content from controls when introduced after the fourth week in experiment 2.
Boren, Bruce Bryan (1987). Reducing abdominal fat pads in broiler chickens by feeding combinations of high and low protein : calorie diets. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -33001.