Growth and Feed Standards for Broilers — 1959 



By Willis S. Reed and W. C. Skoglund* 



r T , HERE is a constant need for up-to-date standard figures for growth, 

 A- feed consumption, and feed conversion for various ages of broilers. 

 With such figures available, the broiler producer is able to determine how 

 his flock compares with a standard flock. With the highly competitive posi- 

 tion of the broiler industry, it is absolutely essential that every effort be 

 made to surpass recognized standards or industry averages in order to 

 survive. 



The University of New Hampshire, Department of Poultry Science, pub- 

 lished growth and feed standards for New Hampshires in 1952 as Station 

 Bulletin 401. These figures were taken from a composite of five strains of 

 New Hampshires entered in the first New Hampshire Broiler Test. These 

 standards were widely used in the industry as a guide, but with the rapid 

 strides made in breeding, nutrition, and disease control, such standards 

 have long since been outdated. 



In 1958-59 growth and feed standards were obtained for four com- 

 mercially available strains of broilers. The chickens were typical of the 

 stock being sold commercially now, and in all cases were crosses, either 

 of strains or breeds. The chicks were raised at the University of New 

 Hampshire in a building heated by a centrallv located hot water heating 

 system. Each pen had a capacity of 250 chicks, allowing 1.1 square feet 

 per chick. Feeder space was increased as the chickens grew and after 

 four weeks of age. 2.9 inches per chick of feeder space was provided. A 

 water trough eight feet long, from which the chicks could drink on each 

 side, was used in each pen. This allowed approximately .8 inch per chick 

 of watering space. Feed consisted of a high energy broiler feed in mash 

 form for the first two weeks, shifting to pelleted feed during the third 

 week. A total of 5,250 chicks were reared in three different lots during 

 all seasons of the year. 



The figures presented in the accompanying two tables are averages of 

 the four strains and the three lots reared. 



Table 1 presents the weekly average weight and weekly gain for males, 

 females, and mixed sexes. 



Table 2 contains the weekly and cumulative feed consumption per broiler, 

 also the feed conversion calculated from mixed sex weight and gain. 



It should be pointed out that best use can be made of the figures pre- 

 sented by considering them only as a guide to be surpassed in the broiler 

 grower's own operation. 



* Mr. Reed was formerly Graduate Research Assistant, New Hampshire Agricultural 

 Experiment Station. His present address: Eastern States Farmers Exchange, West 

 Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Skoglund is Professor of Poultry Science and Poultry 

 Scientist, New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. 



