The effects of varying stocking densities during the first 10 days on the performance, welfare, slaughter and meat quality characteristics of broiler chickens in the subsequent period

This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying stocking densities during the first 10 days on the performance, welfare, slaughter and meat quality characteristics of broiler chickens in the subsequent period (11–42 days). In the study, treatments representing 3 different stocking densities with the same group sizes were established and a total of 432 d-old chicks were used. In the first 10 days of the rearing period, treatments of 18 (SD18), 27 (SD27) and 36 (SD36) chicks per m 2 were formed, and at 11 days of age, chicks in all treatments were reared at a density of 18 chicks/m 2 . Body weight differences in SD18, SD27 and SD36 treatments at 10 and 42 days of age were significant ( P