Abstract

GALLARD, EA; MENICHELLI, MM; DI MASSO, RJ  and  REVIDATTI, FA. Effect of stocking density and house section on body weight of broilers. Compend. cienc. vet [online]. 2021, vol.11, n.1, pp.13-19. ISSN 2226-1761.  https://doi.org/10.18004/compend.cienc.vet.2021.11.01.13.

Stocking density represents a central factor on poultry profitability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stocking density and house section on the productive performance of male and female broilers. Cobb500(r) chickens were housed in two darkened houses under two densities: standard (14 chickens/m2) and reduced (12 chickens/m2). Three zones were defined: Extractors, Intermediate and Panels. No effect of density per zone interaction was observed on final weight in males (p= 0.574) and females (p= 0.338). Regardless of the zone, both males and females were heavier (Males: 3,265 vs. 3,006 g; Females: 2,653 vs. 2535 g; p <0.0001) under reduced density. Males from the Panels zone were heavier at the end of the cycle, while the females were not different (Males: Extractors: 3,086 g; Intermediate: 3,103 g; Panels: 3,218 g; p <0.0001. Females: Extractors: 2,563 g; Intermediate: 2,552 g; Panels: 2,652.5 g; p> 0,05). The decrease in stocking density improved final weight. House section affected the final weight of the male chickens. Despite the lower individual performance, the higher density allowed to obtain a higher production in kg of chicken meat per m2.

Keywords : broilers; growth; environment; intensive systems; temperature..

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )