Effect of stocking density on performance, carcass yield, productivity, and bone development in broiler chickens Cobb 500®

This study aimed to assess the effect of stocking density of 10, 12, 14, and 16 birds m?2 on performance, carcass and cut yields, productivity, and bone development of broiler chickens Cobb 500®. The experimental design was completely randomized design with four treatments (stocking densities) and four replications. The assessments were performed weekly at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days. The best live weight result was found at a density of 10 birds m?2 in the period from 1 to 7 days. No effect of density was observed on feed intake and weight gain. From 1 to 14 days, the best live weights were found at densities of 10, 12, and 14 birds m?2, in addition to a higher feed intake at densities of 10 and 12 birds m?2. Weight gain was better at a density of 10 birds m?2, showing no differences from densities of 12 and 14 birds m?2. In the period from 1 to 21 days, live weight and weight gain were higher at densities of 10, 12, and 14 birds m?2. The highest feed intake was observed at a density of 10 birds m?2, which showed no difference from the density of 14 birds m?2. A difference (P 0.05) was observed between stocking density and age for the assessed bone parameters. Similarly, no difference (P > 0.05) was observed for bone development of broiler chickens reared at different stocking densities for the studied parameters. Thus, the increased density of 10 or 12 birds m?2 to 14 birds m?2 has no influence on zootechnical performance, carcass and cut yields, and bone development, but increases broiler chicken productivity reared in a conventional shed without air conditioning.