Stocking density effects on production qualities of broilers raised W

In antibiotic free (ABF) broilers, enteric diseases, mainly coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE), pose the biggest threat to the intestinal health. Through knowledge of litter condition and management, these diseases can be minimized. Stocking density for ABF houses are typically lower than those raised in conventional housing. With coccidiosis and NE being the main source of mortality and morbidity in ABF flocks, it is important to understand the relationship stocking density has on the prevalence of those enteric diseases. Enteric diseases directly affect feed conversion efficiency, creating a less efficient bird. Two stocking densities were selected for the study: a high stocking density (0.75) and a low density (0.90). A total of 19,740 straight run Cobb broilers were split into pens. Two pens with 4,515 broilers stocked at low density. Two pens with 5,355 broilers stocked at high stocking density. All chickens were fed ad libitum according to industry standards. Thirty chickens (15 males and 15 females) were randomly selected per pen to analyze feed conversion. Data were analyzed by utilizing the GLM procedure of SAS. Overall, feed conversion was not affected by the difference in stocking density (P0.05). Feed efficiency (P0.05), mortality (P0.05), and body weights (P0.05) were not affected by stocking density. Stocking density differences were influential in litter moisture at every week (P0.05). The results from this study indicate that the two densities examined were comparable in their growth and efficiency.