Starter and carryover effects of feeding varied feed form (FF) and feed quality (FQ) from 0–18 d on performance and processing for two broiler strains

Previous research in our laboratory demonstrated that feeding broiler chicks crumbles of 2,200 to 3,736 µm improved starter performance, suggesting chicks may be able to consume larger particles, even pellets, earlier than perceived. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of 0 to 18 d variations in feed form (FF; crumble or intact pellets [IP]) and feed quality (FQ; low, medium, high) on starter performance utilizing 2 different genetic strains (GS; high yielding [HY] or fast growing [FG]). Starter FF and FQ carryover effects were also examined by feeding common pelleted diets for the remainder of the grow-out phases and measuring d 62 performance and d 63 processing. Day 0 to 18 FF and FQ interacted, whereas birds fed crumbles had the highest BW and BWG, regardless of crumble FQ; birds fed IP achieved increased weights when FQ was highest, similar to birds fed crumbles. Examining the carryover effects, 0 to 32 d FCR was improved by providing high FQ crumbles (3,388 µm). Overall data (d 0–62) demonstrated no significant differences for measured performance variables. Interactive differences were found for d 63 breast yield (BY), dependent on the FF and FQ presented from d 0 to 18 for each GS. In particular, HY strains demonstrated improved BY if fed low FQ crumbles or high FQ IP, whereas FG broilers demonstrated similar yields, regardless of FF and FQ. These data suggest that the length of the grow out is important when determining which FQ and FF to present in the starter growth phase.