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Predicting effective caloric value of nonnutritive factors: III. Feed form affects broiler performance by modifying
D O Skinner-Noble1, L J McKinney, R G Teeter
1Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA.
Poultry Science
|March 24, 2005
Summary
Pelleting broiler feed improves effective caloric value (ECV) and net energy for gain (NEg) by altering eating and resting behaviors. Feed form significantly impacts broiler performance and energy utilization.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Nutrition
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Broiler performance is influenced by diet composition and feed form.
- Understanding the interplay between feed form, energy utilization, and behavior is crucial for optimizing broiler production.
- Pelleting is a common feed processing method in poultry production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships among effective caloric value (ECV), net energy for gain (NEg), body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and broiler behavior.
- To examine the benefits of feed form, including pelleting and feed form history, on broiler performance and behavior in two commercial strains.
- To determine how feed form influences energy utilization and correlates with behavioral patterns.
Main Methods:
- Two trials involving commercial broiler strains were conducted.
- Birds were fed diets in mash or pellet form, with some groups switched between forms at different ages.
- Measurements included ECV, NEg, BW, FCR, broiler behavior (eating, resting), and body composition.
- Statistical analyses included correlation and regression analyses.
Main Results:
- Pelleting increased ECV and NEg, while decreasing eating and increasing resting behavior.
- Significant correlations were found between resting behavior, NEg, and ECV.
- Strain and feed form interactions affected BW and body energy content, indicating strain-specific responses to pelleted feed.
- Switching feed forms altered feed intake patterns.
- ECV was best predicted by lean gain, while NEg was best predicted by fat gain.
- ECV was highly predictable (R2 > 0.99) by eating and resting behavior.
Conclusions:
- Feed form influences broiler performance primarily through modifications in behavior patterns.
- Effective caloric value (ECV) is responsive to these behavior changes and serves as an effective estimator of caloric value.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering feed form and its impact on behavior for optimizing broiler nutrition and management.
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