COMPARISON OF FEED WITHDRAWAL TIME AND PASSAGE OF GUT CONTENTS IN BROILER CHICKENS HELD IN CRATES OR LITTER PENS

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Abstract
In two experiments, individually weighed male broiler chickens were held without feed in either conventional transporting crates or litter floor pens. These latter birds received water ad libitum and were given constant light. At regular intervals, 12 of the crated or 10 of the penned birds were killed and the section of the proximal alimentary tract containing feed residue recorded. Carcass yield and water uptake after 2 h immersion in running water at 4 °C was also recorded. Feed residue did not pass through the tract of birds held in crates, since approximately 70% of these birds had feed in their gizzard after 16 h. Holding in pens resulted in a progressive emptying of the gut, such that after 12 h the upper tract was evacuated. Less shrink was observed for birds held in pens, which might be explained by the birds having access to water. It is concluded that the alimentary tract of birds cannot effectively be cleared of feed when birds are held in crates. Thus the time birds spend in transport should not be included in calculating time of feed withdrawal.

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