the performance and incidence of ascites in broiler chickens in response to feed restriction and meal feeding programs

an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feed restriction (fr) and meal feeding (mf) on performance, carcass characteristics and related parameters to ascites in ross 308 male broiler chickens. five dietary treatments were 1) the control (ad libo. feeding), 2 )feed restriction from 7 to 14 days (fr14), 3) feed restriction from 7 to 21 days (fr21), 4) meal feeding from 7 to 14 days (mf14) and 5) meal feeding from 7 to 21days (mf21). all birds were fed adlibitum for the first week post hatch and after 21 days of age. four replicate of 12 birds were allocated to each treatment. the results indicated fr and mf21 groups had significantly (p<0.05) lower body weight gain than the control group during starter period. the fasted birds showed a compensatory growth and their body weight was similar to control chickens on 42 days of age. experimental treatments had no significant effect on feed conversion ratio and carcass characteristics. the concentration of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme in fr21 and mf21 groups were significantly (p<0.05) lower than other birds. hemoglobin concentration was also significantly (p<0.05) lower in mf21 in comparison with control group. it was concluded that, feed restriction and meal feeding from 7 to 21 days of age compiled with the control group had no significant effect on performance, carcass characteristics and ascites index in broiler chickens, although the lactate dehydrogenase enzyme and hemoglobin concentration decreased relatively.