Influence of energy level and feed restriction in pellet diet on performance and blood parameters of broiler chickens

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of metabolizable energy (ME) levels, feed restriction (FR) intensity and duration in pelleted diet on performance, blood parameters and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens. A total of 480 male Ross 308 broilers were used in a 2×2×3 factorial arrangement with 12 treatments and 4 replicates. Experimental treatments included: two levels of ME, two levels of restriction intensity (90% and 85% of strain standard, intake), and three levels of restriction duration (8-21, 8-28 and 8-35d of age). Results indicated that increasing energy level improved body weight and feed conversion rate during 8-21 and 1-42 days of age, except for first week, that was decreased BW (P