Research On Animal Production

This study was performed by five treatments and three replicates using 180 Ross male broilers (12 birds in each pen) in a completely randomized design. Feed restriction was applied by supplementing the rice hull levels (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 percent). To grower feed (7 to 14 days of age). Average feed intake had a linear decrease with increasing in rice hull levels. Body weight was decreased linearly in 14, 21 and 28 days of age, but due to compensatory growth there were not any significant differences in body weight on 35 and 42 days. Average of feed conversion ratio decreased by increasing in rice hull levels up to 30 percent but in higher levels feed conversion ratio increased linearly. Feed restriction during 7-14 days of age has any significant differences in carcass percentage and its parts. Concentration of plasma triiodothryronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄) increased in 15% rice hull groups (P<0.05). Blood total protein, cholesterol and glucose were not affected by feed restriction (P>0.05). Feed dilution by rice hull up to 15-30 percentages in the second week of broiler production is recommended.