Effect of Feed Withdrawal and Progut on Broiler Performance, Carcasses Traits and Blood Parameters

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of feed withdrawal without/ with feed additive (Progut®) on broiler chickens’ performance, carcass traits and some blood parameters, in a factorial arrangement (4 feed restriction×2 levels of feed additive). Three hundred twenty-one-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were distributed into 8 treatments with four replicates. In the first week all chicks fed starter basal diet, however during the second week, broiler chicks were exposed to feed restriction by feed withdrawal time (0, 6, 9, 12 hours/day). Broiler chicks exposed to feed withdrawal had low body weight gain and feed consumption at 2 weeks of age. Feed withdrawal had no effect on final weight, body weight change, total feed intake, total feed conversion, economic efficiency, carcass traits and serum blood composition of 42-day-old-broiler chicks. Feed withdrawal and feed additive in broiler diets decreased total microflora counts and E coil and enhanced lacto Bacillus, amylase and chemo trypsin in broiler guts. Feed additive (Progut®) decreased total feed consumption, improved total feed conversion and increased economic efficiency of broilers. Feed additive increased the level of β globulin and decreased the level of α globulin in serum blood of broiler chicks. The obtained results suggested that feed withdrawal during the second week of age had not effect on broiler performance, carcass traits and serum blood characteristics and improved lacto Bacillus, amylase and chemo trypsin. Feed additive (Progut®) in broiler diets improved growth performance and decreased total bacteria counts, E coli and increased lacto bacillus counts in broiler guts.