Table 2.
Development of body weight in fattening broilers and turkeys reared on different floor designs (mean ± SD).
| Species | Group | Day/Body Weight [g] | Carcass [g] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 | Final (36) | |||
| Broiler [n = 720; n = 429 *] |
1 | 198 ± 22.5 | 528 ± 61.4 | 1066 ± 127 | 1757 ± 188 | 2479 ± 269 | 2555 b ± 283 | 2091 ± 229 |
| 2 ** | 198 ± 21.0 | 528 ± 56.6 | 1060 ± 130 | 1760 ± 1167 | 2486 ± 247 | 2570 b ± 258 | 2097 ± 210 | |
| 3 | 198 ± 20.7 | 535 ± 51.4 | 1075 ± 108 | 1779 ± 163 | 2532 ± 243 | 2655 a ± 255 | 2114 ± 221 | |
| 4 ** | 198 ± 19.3 | 540 ± 51.5 | 1086 ± 116 | 1790 ± 148 | 2554 ± 247 | 2698 a ± 266 | 2162 ± 206 | |
| Turkey [n = 720; n = 431 *] |
1 | 173 ± 13.7 | 388 bc ± 37.5 | 705 b ± 72.0 | 1213 bc ± 94.0 | 1907 b ± 174 | 1990 b ± 185 | 1545 b ± 165 |
| 2 | 172 ± 14.9 | 383 c ± 37.2 | 708 b ± 71.9 | 1198 c ± 111 | 1884 b ± 197 | 1964 b ± 215 | 1532 b ± 189 | |
| 3 | 175 ± 14.2 | 395 ab ± 35.6 | 720 b ± 73.2 | 1233 b ± 104 | 1924 b ± 174 | 2003 b ± 169 | 1567 b ± 158 | |
| 4 *** | 174 ± 14.3 | 400 a ± 39.4 | 745 a ± 85.3 | 1307 a ± 116 | 1996 a ± 169 | 2087 a ± 171 | 1612 a ± 176 | |
a, b means in the same column at species level, values with different superscript letters mean significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). * number of animals after first dissection, ** two animals died, *** one animal died. G1 = entire floor pen covered with litter; G2 = floor pen covered with litter and having floor heating; G3 = partially (50:50)-slatted flooring including an area with litter; G4 = fully-slatted flooring with a sand bath (900 cm2).