Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers as Affected by Feed Color

Abstract

A total number of 120-one day old chicks were randomly assigned into four equal groups to investigate the effect of feed color on their growth performance and carcass characteristics. The first group was fed non color feed and considered as a control group (C). While, second, third and fourth treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) were fed green, orange or red feed, respectively. The obtained results showed that feeding colored diets had significant positive effect on body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversation throughout the experimental period. Also, there were significant differences in carcass color, dressed carcass percentages, carcass cut-up parts (breast and drum percentages) or muscles (breast), gizzard, carcass deep (cm) and abdominal fat percentages. However, no significant differences (P>0.05) existed in most giblets (heart and liver percentages) and thigh percentages. It could be concluded, that birds fed orange feed had the best performance. Consequently, feed color for broiler chicks should be in orange color.

Effect of Broiler Diet Colour on Production Characteristics and Economic Parameters

“…The reason could be that the colour of the feed attracts chicks, causing them to feed early, which improves the development of their digestive and immune systems. The results were in agreement with [12] and [7], [13] while these results differed with [3] that there were no significant differences between the treatments.…”

“…The weight and length of the proventriculus , pancreas , liver , gizzard, and intestine ( duodenum , Production, jejunum , ileum ) significantly increase in the first week of life [6]. And a rapid development during that period in the digestive system in its various parts and the immune system [7]. Thus, the colour of the environment, including food colour, is one of the factors that determine bird behaviour and welfare, and it may be used as a catalyst to improve the response of birds to a certain food, which is reflected in their productive performance, decreased bird feed consumption [8].…”