Periodical changes of the feedstuff's associated to different forms of ration on broiler performance

Abstract

The effects of forms of ration (crumbles and mash), sexes and weekly changes of the percent composition of the rations were tested on broiler performance. Basal ration was formulated to contain ground corn, soybean oil meal, dicalcium phosphate, limestone, animal fat, salt and vitamin, mineral and additive premix. Changes of the composition were made to reduce soybean oil meal and limestone levels, removal of animal fat and incorporation of corn gluten meal, cottonseed meal and meat and bone meals. Rations were isocaloric and isoproteic. The results showed that the crumble form of the ration contributed to improve broiler performance. Body weight and body weight gain in several experimental periods were higher when sudden changes in feed composition occurred. Feed conversion was poorer as feed composition changed. There were significant (P < 0,05) double and triple interactions, however as analyses of variance did not show significant differences of the single variables within the periods, it was not possible to take conclusions on the effect of one variable with respect to others.