Observations on the growth performance of broiler starters and finishers exposed to a 24-hour feed and water withdrawal

A total of 210 day-old broilers were distributed randomly among 7 treatments (3 replicates of 10 birds each, 3x2 treatments and one control) of 24h feed, water and feed plus water withdrawal with a control. The birds, in two groups, were exposed to the treatments at the starter (3 wk) and finisher (6 wk) growing phases. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the treatment groups in final body weight, feed intake and feed utilization. The treatments caused remarkable growth variations only during the week of imposition as reflected in the higher coefficients of variation. The starters were worse affected. This study shores that one-day accidental starvation has no significantly harmful effect on broilers.