Effect of feed form on productive performance, economic efficiency and carcass quality of broiler chickens

Abstract

     This experiment was conducted in the broiler chicken field at the Animal Production Fields, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit, from October 12 to November 16, 2025. The study aimed to investigate the effect of the physical form of feed on productive performance, economic efficiency, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 90 (one-day-old) birds of the Ross-308 strain were used in the experiment. The birds were divided into three treatments, each with three replicates, and each replicate consisting of 10 birds. The first treatment was fed pelleted feed and was considered the control. The second treatment was fed crumbled feed, while the third treatment received powdered feed. After data collection and statistical analysis, the results showed a significant superiority (P < 0.05) of the first and second treatments over the third treatment in final body weight, weekly weight gain, empty carcass weight, dressing percentage, weekly feed intake, and total feed consumption. Additionally, significant superiority (P < 0.05) of the first and second treatments over the third treatment was observed in both weekly and overall feed conversion efficiency, with the second treatment achieving the best final feed conversion efficiency. No significant differences were observed among the treatments in the relative weights of the internal organs or in the relative weights of most carcass cuts, except for the wings, where the third treatment showed significant superiority (P < 0.05) over the other two treatments in relative wing weight. Moreover, the first and second treatments demonstrated significant superiority (P < 0.05) over the third treatment in economic efficiency, with the second treatment achieving the highest economic efficiency among all treatments.