Work

Cage Brooding Followed by Floor Grow-Out: A Technique for Rearing Broilers ,

Year: 1980

Type: article

Abstract: Broiler chicks were maintained in Petersime brooding batteries for three weeks and then transferred to floor pens in a conventional broiler facility for five additional weeks. Hatchmates were reared in floor pens for eight weeks. Comparisons of growth, feed efficiency, carcass quality, and a survey of physiological fitness of both treatment groups were made. The battery brooded birds exhibited lower final body weights and lower feed conversion ratios than the floor reared birds. Differences in mortality, general product quality, and physiological fitness were not found. However, humoral immune responsiveness, as indicated by increased anti-SRBC antibody levels, was better in the floor reared birds. This management technique is suggested as a possible method for the commercial rearing of broilers.

Source: Poultry Science

DOI: 10.3382/ps.0590681

Authors: PAUL THAXTON, G. WALLACE MORGAN, JOHN BRAKE, DAVID M. WILLIAMS, DAVID M. WILLIAMS

Institution: North Carolina State University

Language: English

Topic: Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,600