ARS | Publication request: GROWTH, MEAT YIELD, AND ECONOMIC RESPONSES OF BROILERS PROVIDED THREE-AND FOUR-PHASE REGIMENS FORMULATED TO MODERATE AND HIGH NUTRIENT DENSITY DURING A 56 DAY PRODUCTION PERIOD

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Poultry Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 22, 2005
Publication Date: June 21, 2006
Citation: Dozier III, W.A., Gordon, R.W., Anderson, J., Kidd, M.T., Corzo, A., Branton, S.L. 2006. Growth, meat yield, and economic responses of broilers provided three-and four-phase regimens formulated to moderate and high nutrient density during a 56 day production period. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 15:312-325.

Interpretive Summary: Feed cost represents 65% of the total live production cost for broiler chickens that supports an industry that produces 8 billion birds annually. Large percentage of the cost of the diet is protein/amino acid contributing ingredients. Broilers grown to 3.0-3.4 kg BW are typically fed three- or four-phase feeding programs. Dietary amino acids influence the growth rate of broilers as well as the yield of the carcass parts. This research evaluated responses of broilers to diets varying in amino acid density provided in three- or four-phase feeding programs during a 56 day production cycle. Results indicated that broilers provided diets high in amino acid density with the three-phase program had a predicted economic gross feeding margin advantage of $0.08/bird more than birds fed moderate amino acid density in the three-phase feeding program. Feeding program (three or four phase) did not influence growth, meat yield, or economics.

Technical Abstract: This study examined growth responses and meat yield of broilers provided a three- or four-phase feeding regimen formulated to moderate or high nutrient density. Four dietary treatments were implemented consisting of either high or moderate nutrient density diets that were provided for the duration of three phases (1 to 17, 18 to 35, and 36 to 56 d) or four phases (1 to 17, 18 to 35, 36 to 46, and 47 to 56 d). Providing a three-phase regimen did not alter growth performance, meat yield, and diet cost/final BW. Broilers receiving high nutrient diets had improved growth rate and feed conversion from 1 to 35 d. In the three-phase regimen, birds given the high nutrient density diets led to advantages in BW gain and Pectoralis minor breast weight. Market changes in meat prices impact differences in gross feeding margins between diets formulated to high or moderate nutrient density more than variation in diet cost.