title: [Performance of broiler chickens and quality of litter in various housing conditions (stocking density)].
abstract: In the present study the influence of a reduced stocking density on body weight, feed and water intake as well as the dry matter and nitrogen-centent (N) of bedding was examined in 3 fattening periods (2 x conventional closed stable, each 36 days, 1 x Louisiana stable, 40 days). In the controlls (stocking density 38 kg/m2) the broilers achieved a mean slaughter weight of 1497, 1411 and 1681 g, under experimental conditions (stocking density on average 33 kg/m2) the compareable figures were 1555, 1431 and 1793 g. Feed conversion ratios were better and the mortality during the fattening periods were lower in groups with reduced stocking density than in the controlls. There was no remarkable improvement of litter quality during the fattening periods in dependence on reduced stocking density. The dry matter content of litter decreased to 60%. At end of fattening the bedding contained 6-9g NH3-N, 7-17 g urea-N and 0,4-4 g uric acid-N/kg wet weight. The lowest uric acid values were found in the bedding samples from Louisiana stables. Effects of a reduced stocking density became obvious only in conventional closed stables by lowered NH3-N-concentrations. The stocking density had no influence on the distribution of the different fractions of NPN with regard to total N.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Tierernährung Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coenen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schulze-Kersting
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zentek
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamphues
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000592:standards*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards*; D011200:Poultry; D015430:Weight Gain
vernacular_title: Zur Leistung von Masthähnchen und Beschaffenheit der Einstreu bei unterschiedlicher Haltungsintensität (Besatzdichte).