ISSN 2167-0447
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 10 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of skip-a-day feed restriction on carcass yield characteristics and economic advantages of Rhode Island Red Pullets
Etalem Tesfaye1*, Berhan Tamir2, Aynalem Haile3 and Tadelle Dessie3
1Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
3International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Accepted 20 September, 2019
Abstract
Two hundred and forty day-old chicks with average body weight of 48.92±1.5 g were randomly distributed into 12 pens each with 20 chicks, representing four feeding regimen of T1 (Unrestricted, Control), T2 (Restricted at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age), T3 (Restricted at 35, 42, 49 and 56 days of age) and T4 (Restricted at 63, 70, 77 and 84 days of age). The experiment lasted for 22 weeks, during which feed intake and body weight changes were monitored. At the end of the experimental period, six pullets from each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered to evaluate carcass yield, abdominal fat and weights and lengths of different parts of gastrointestinal tracts. The daily feed intake as well as body weight changes at different ages were non-significant (P>0.05). The feed efficiency also did not significantly varied (P>0.05). In contrast, the total feed intake (g) was significantly different (P<0.05) between treatments and birds under T4 consume less. Dressed weight (g); abdominal fat free carcass (g); carcass with abdominal fat (g) and breast meat weights (g) were significantly (P<0.05) different. Abdominal fat weight was also highly significant (P<0.01) between the treatments. The weight and percentage of GIT and total giblet and parts of giblets were not (P>0.05) affected except liver weight which was higher (P<0.05) for T 3. Cost of feed consumed per kg live weight gain was lower for the feed restricted birds and it was the least for T4. Besides, the labor cost was lower for the feed restricted groups. It is concluded that feed restriction at later days of age (T4) is economically beneficial compared to the other early age restricted groups based on partial budget analysis. The results of this study suggested that the feed restriction at middle age (T3) might be considered as beneficial in terms of carcass cut characteristics and T4 on economic return.
Key words: Carcass yield characteristics, economic advantages, feed restriction, skip-a-day, Rhode Island Red pullet.