Factors affecting the diet selection of choice‐fed broilers

Abstract

1. In one experiment two strains of choice-fed broilers were given wheat, either whole or ground, and a balancer diet, either pelleted or as a mash, for 4 weeks. They were compared with brokers given a complete single feed. 2. In a second experiment, the effect of a pelleted or mash balancer, relative feeding trough space for whole wheat and balancer (1:1 or 2:1 with total feeding space constant) and group sise (20, 40 or 80 broilers maintained at a constant stocking density) on the diet selection of choice-fed broiler was examined. 3. Food from had a large effect in diet selection although there was no effect on total food intakes or weight gain. If a mash balancer was provided, the broilers selected greater portion of wheat when it was ground rather than whole, but if the balancer was peletted a greater proportion of wheat tended to be selected when whole wheat was provided. 4. No significant differences in diet selection were observed as a result of differences in the the strain of broiler, the relative amounts of feeder space for wheat and balancer or group size.