Feeding schedules for broiler chickens

The traditional feeding programmes and nutrient requirements of broilers, as established by the NRC, are usually based upon age and fixed growing duration. This is despite the fact that broiler growth pattern characteristics have changed enormously over last decade. Such classical approaches have been questioned as to their effectiveness, and it has been argued the NRC recommendations are no longer applicable to the present methods of production, and need to be re-evaluated. The short comings of traditional or classical fixed duration of feeding phases have led many investigators to suggest and introduce alternative feeding programmes in replacement, including alternative, phase, sequential, choice, dual and subsequent feeding. The effectiveness and shortcomings of such methods are analysed in this review.