Effect of intermittent activity on broiler production parameters

The use of intermittent lighting in broiler production has been shown to result in spurts of activity that appear to reduce lameness. Because intermittent lighting is difficult to achieve in curtain-sided houses, the objective of this study was to determine whether simple equipment used to increase activity in broilers would improve production variables. At 1 d of age, 840 male broiler chicks were placed in 24 floor pens. The four treatments (six replicates of 35 chicks each) were as follows: 1) Control-standard feeders, 2) Ramps and Toys-birds had to climb a slight incline ramp to reach feeder and had a hanging mobile, 3) Ramps only, and 4) Toys only-standard feeders. Two trials were conducted. Weekly group weights and feed consumption were recorded. Mortality was recorded daily. At 6 wk of age, birds were bled, euthanatized, weighted, and scored for ascites and tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), and relative heart, liver, and spleen weights were obtained. Blood samples were analyzed for blood gases, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and clinical chemistries were performed. In Trial 1, during Weeks 2, 3, and 4, treatments with ramps had significantly heavier average bird weight and significantly lower feed:gain ratios. In Trial 2, treatments with ramps had no difference in average BW; however, these groups consumed less feed, resulting in significantly lower feed:gain ratios. Cumulative mortality was decreased by ramp treatment in Trial 2. Toys decreased the incidence and severity of TD in Trial 2. In general, organ weights, blood gases, hematologies, and clinical chemistries were not affected by treatments. However, birds in treatments with ramps had significantly lower serum calcium and smaller hearts in Trial 1, and significantly lower serum cholesterol and smaller hearts in Trial 2.