Effects of Feeding Frequency on Fat Deposition and Growth Performance in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding frequencies on the fat deposition and growth performance in broilers. Two hundred and forty, day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned into five treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments were as follows; feeding four times, three times, two times: at 0630 and 1230 h, two times: at 0630 and 1830 h and one time per day. Chicks were fed with commercial broiler rations. The highest feed intake was reported for birds fed four time per day. Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed four times per day compared to control treatment. Abdominal fat contents of carcass were significantly lower and muscle protein contents were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed three and four times per day compared to control treatment. Three times per day feeding is a better solution to improve the meat quality, while reducing abdominal fat pad without interfering on growth performances of broilers with lower cost.