A Comparative Effect of Mash and Pellet Feed with Different Pelleting Temperature on Blood Metabolites, Carcass Characteristics and Broiler Performance

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding mash versus pellet with different thermal process on blood metabolites, carcass characteristics and broiler performance. 192 (one-day) Cobb broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with 4 experimental groups (diets) and 4 replicates of ten chicks each (totally 16 pens). The experimental treatment groups consisted of mash diet (control) and three experimental diets pelleted with temperatures of 72, 82 and 92 ◦C. Results indicated that effects of different temperatures of thermal process had a significant effect on feed intake in 1-42 days period (P<0.05). The process effect was significant on body weight gain between treatment groups only in starter period (P<0.05). Thermal processes of diets improved feed conversion in starter period (P<0.05). In total period, the process of 82 ◦C improved feed conversion in broiler chickens. Percentages of carcass traits including breast, thigh, gizzard and stomach, liver and gallbladder, intestines, heart and digestive system weren’t different among  experimental groups (P>0.05). Effect of the process on serum glucose, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and enzyme concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) wasn’t significant at 49 days (P>0.05).