Effect of skip-a-day feed restriction on carcass yield characteristics and economic advantages of Rhode Island Red Pullets

Carcass yield characteristics and economic advantage of skip-a-day feed restriction method at different growth stages of Rhode Island Red chicken was evaluated. Two-hundred 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). Feed restriction was based on skipping a-day once in a week and the next day's feed offer was based on the previous day's feed intake. 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 tract. The daily DM, CP and ME intake as well as body weight changes at different ages were non-significant (P>0.05) for birds in different treatment groups. The DM efficiency ratio also did not significantly varied (P>0.05). In contrast, the total DM intake (g) was signifi- cantly different (P 0.05) affected except liver weight which was higher (P<0.05) for T3. Cost of feed consumed per kg live weight gain was lower for the feed restricted birds compared to the control and it was the least for T4. Besides, the labor cost was lower for the feed restricted groups than the unrestricted group. 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 T3 might be considered as beneficial in terms of carcass cut characteristics and T4 on economic return.