Relationship between activity at a young age and feed efficiency in chickens

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Poultry Science
• Animal Nutrition

Background:

• Feed conversion efficiency is a critical economic factor in poultry production.
• Understanding the relationship between bird activity and feed efficiency can optimize breeding programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess feed conversion and bird activity in three Ottawa Leghorn strains.
• To determine the correlation between activity levels, feed consumption, and conversion efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Measured feed conversion from hatch to 27 days.
• Assessed bird activity at 1, 2, and 4 weeks of age.
• Compared activity and feed conversion across different Leghorn strains.

Main Results:

• Male Leghorns exhibited higher activity levels than females.
• More active strains consumed more feed, resulting in poorer feed conversion.
• Strain rankings for feed conversion aligned with previous studies on feed intake per egg mass.

Conclusions:

• Bird activity is a significant factor influencing feed consumption and conversion efficiency in Leghorns.
• Higher activity levels in Leghorn chicks are associated with increased feed intake and reduced feed conversion efficiency.
• These findings can inform selective breeding strategies to improve poultry feed efficiency.