肉仔鸡早期限制饲养对其生产性能及屠体品质的影响

本研究对肉仔鸡早期进行不同方式的限制饲养探讨其对肉鸡的生产性能及屠体品质的影响。试验一用低、中、高三种营养水平日粮饲喂１—３周龄肉鸡；试验二从肉鸡的８日龄开始分别限饲，采食量１、２周（喂自由采食量的６０％）及４周（喂自由采食量的８０％）。结果表明肉仔鸡早期喂低营养水平日粮，７周龄体重虽高于对照组水平，但饲料利用率、成活率均显著下降。喂中等营养水平日粮可提高饲料利用率。肉仔鸡早期限制采食量，不能完全补偿生长，特别是限饲２周时间显著影响７周龄体重，且饲料利用率下降。肉仔鸡早期限饲未降低腹脂率     

肉仔鸡早期限制饲养其生产性能及屠体品质的影响

本研究对肉仔鸡早期进行不同方式的限制饲养探讨其对肉鸡的生产性能及屠体品质的影响。试验一用低、中，高三种营养水平日粮饲喂１－３周龄肉鸡；试验二从肉鸡的８日龄开始分别限饲，采食量１、２周（喂自由食量的６０％）及４周（喂自由采食量为８０％），结果表明肉仔鸡早期喂低营养水平日粮，７周龄体重虽高于对照组水平，但饲料利用率，成活率均显著下降。喂中等营养水平日粮可提高饲料利用率，肉仔鸡早期限制食量，不能完全补偿     

日粮中不同水平维生素D3和铜对肉仔鸡生产性能和腿病发生率的影响

试验选用１日龄Ａｖｉａｎ商品代肉仔鸡３９６只，研究玉米—豆粕型日粮中不同水平维生素Ｄ３和铜对肉仔鸡腿病发生率、生长性能和血清生化指标的影响，采用２×３因子试验设计，进行了４９ｄ饲养试验。试验结果表明：（１）饲料中添加铜和维生素Ｄ３可显著降低腿病发生率，但高铜与高维生素Ｄ３同时添加，对降低腿病发生率并无加性效应。（２）高铜不能促进肉仔鸡生长和提高平均日增重。（３）高铜与高维生素Ｄ３同时添加对肉仔鸡生长性能没有正效应。     

间歇光照对肉仔鸡生产性能和氮存留的影响

选用４００只７日龄艾维茵雏鸡（公母各半），随机分为２组（公母分饲，垫料平养），按２～４周龄，５～６周龄，７周龄３个生长阶段，分别比较间歇光照制度和连续光照制度对肉仔鸡生产性能、腹脂和先利用效率的影响。试验重复一次，结果表明，间歇光照（ＩＬ）能显著降低２８日龄前肉仔鸡体增重和来食量，但随后出现补偿生长，到４２日龄时，公鸡的生长速度能得到完全补偿，获得与连续光照（ＣＬ）相似的体重，而母鸡体重仍低于相应的ＣＬ组。母鸡受到的前期生长抑制要到４９日龄时才能得到完全补偿。ＩＬ虽然降低了全期采食量，但却改进了饲料报酬。ＩＬ极显著地降低了２８日龄腹胀率，显著降低了４２日龄和４９日龄腹胀率。氮平衡试验表明，ＩＬ可提高干物质消化率和氮利用效率。     

0～2周龄肉仔鸡无鱼粉日粮配制技术及经济分析

从0～2周龄肉仔鸡的营养生理特点出发,按理想蛋白质概念以饲料可消化氨基酸含量为基础,配制了六种不同鱼粉含量的肉仔鸡用日粮,饲喂了1440只艾维茵肉仔鸡。结果表明,六种日粮的饲养效果相同,2周龄肉仔鸡的体重在365克左右,0～2周龄阶段的料重比在1.17与1.18之间。使用鱼粉增加了饲料的成本,鱼粉含量每提高1.5%,饲料的相对成本提高0.5%以上。     

高蛋白玉米日粮对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响

将180只1日龄艾维茵肉仔鸡随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡,分别比较不同营养水平条件下高蛋白玉米等比例替代普通玉米和等营养水平条件下高蛋白玉米替代普通玉米对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响,试验期为7周。试验结果:在肉仔鸡日粮中分别添加相同比例的高蛋白玉米和普通玉米,与普通玉米组相比,高蛋白玉米组肉仔鸡的料肉比降低了4.19%,差异显著(P<0.05),日增重提高了2.29%(P>0.05);相同营养水平下在肉仔鸡日粮中用高蛋白玉米替代普通玉米,肉仔鸡的日增重有一定下降,但日增重、采食量、料肉比等差异均不显著(P>0.05)。本试验表明,在肉仔鸡日粮中使用高蛋白玉米替代普通玉米,具有降低肉仔鸡料肉比,提高日增重和减少日粮中豆粕使用量以降低饲料成本的潜力。     

饲养密度与饲粮能量水平对肉仔鸡生长性能及肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲养密度与饲粮能量水平对肉仔鸡生长性能及其肉品质的影响,并探明饲养密度是否影响肉仔鸡的能量需要量。选用 ２周龄体重相近的爱拔益加（ＡＡ）肉仔鸡１１４０只（公母各占 １／２）,采用 ３×４两因子完全随机试验设计,包括 ３个代谢能水平（１２．３３、１２．７５和 １３．１７ＭＪ／ｋｇ）和 ４个饲养密度（１０、１６、２２、２８只／栏）,随机分为 １２个处理,每个处理 ５个重复,设置 ６０个相同的围栏,分栏饲养,围栏有效面积为 １．５ｍ２。正试期 ２８ｄ。结果表明：１）饲养密度和饲粮能量水平影响肉仔鸡的生长性能,但两者之间不存在交互作用（Ｐ＞０．０５）;高密度饲养极显著限制肉仔鸡平均日采食量（Ｐ＜０．０１）,导致平均日增重极显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０１）,但不影响料重比（Ｐ＞０．０５）;高能饲粮极显著降低肉仔鸡料重比（Ｐ＜０．０１）,提高平均日增重和出栏体重（Ｐ＜０．０１）;２）饲养密度对肉仔鸡胴体品质和肉品质影响较小,但饲粮不同能量水平可造成脂肪酸在体内沉积的差异,胸肌中多不饱和脂肪酸、必需脂肪酸含量随饲粮能量水平提高而显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）;３）保持良好的饲养环境,饲养密度不会造成肉仔鸡明显的免疫应激差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。综上所述,饲养密度和饲粮能量水平影响肉仔鸡生长性能,同时能量水平对肉品质造成较大影响。但在良好的饲养环境中,饲养密度并不影响肉仔鸡对能量的需要量,二者之间不存在交互作用。     

育肥蛋公鸡和肉仔鸡的试验

对０～７０日龄蛋公鸡和０～４９日龄的肉仔鸡（第Ⅳ组）进行育肥试验，结果表明：在育肥蛋公鸡的３个组中，以高营养水平组采食量最小，日增重最快，饲料报酬和经济效益最高，低营养水平组正好相反，中营养水平组介于两者之间。因此蛋公鸡的育肥应参照高营养水平即国标肉仔鸡饲养标准配制日粮；饲喂不同营养水平日粮的３个蛋公鸡组，在采食量和日增重方面远低于同期的肉仔鸡，试验全期４个组的料重比分别为２．８６：１、２．５９：１、２．３６：１、０．９６：１，前三个组的经济效益比Ⅳ组降低３１．５６％、１９．８６％和９．４７％。     

S95仔猪补充饲料的研制

试验选择４０头２８日龄断奶、体重约７．５千克的３５日龄长大二元杂交仔猪，随机分成２组，每组２０头，分别饲喂某品牌３１１仔猪全价颗粒饲料和Ｓ９５仔猪补充饲料，经过２４天的试验，结果表明，试验组仔猪生长速度比对照组快３．３７％（Ｐ〉０．０５），料肉比降低５．４１％，每千克增重饲料成本降低１４．５４％。     

科苑采撷

仔猪断奶初期喂母 猪日粮效果好 美国的研究人员试验表明，在仔猪断奶初期给其喂一种供哺乳母猪饲用的日粮而不是更贵的断奶仔猪专用饲料，既可以节省饲料成本，又不会影响仔猪的生长性能。其理由：１．仔猪练习采食时往往会浪费饲料；２．仔猪在分娩猪舍中因舔食母猪料槽的饲料或许对其已逐渐熟悉；３．如果仔猪在断奶前没有采食过任何团体饲料，饲喂蛋白质含量比断奶仔猪料低的母猪日粮，就有可能减轻仔猪免疫系统的过敏性不良反应。肉仔鸡日粮中添加 菜籽饼的效果 将２４０只出雏肉仔鸡分为６组，在为期６周的饲养过程中，６组雏鸡的日粮…     

不同类型饲粮和添加剂对肉仔鸡生长性能、肠道结构和功能的影响

本试验旨在研究不同类型饲粮和添加剂对肉仔鸡生长性能、肠道结构和功能的影响。试验采用4×3两因子完全随机设计,4种饲粮分别为抗生素饲粮、无抗生素饲粮、低蛋白质饲粮和大麦饲粮,3种添加剂分别为酵母培养物(XPC)、谷氨酰胺(Gln)和大豆异黄酮(ISF)。试验选用1日龄爱拔益加肉仔鸡792只,随机分为12组,每组6个重复,每个重复11只鸡。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)不同类型饲粮分别添加XPC、Gln和ISF对42日龄肉仔鸡平均日增重(ADG)、平均日采食量(ADFI)、料重比(F/G)及体重(BW)的影响无显著差异(P0.05);但对饲粮类型而言,与其他3种饲粮相比,低蛋白质饲粮使肉仔鸡的BW、ADG和ADFI显著降低(P0.05),F/G显著提高(P0.05);抗生素饲粮显著降低肉仔鸡的F/G(P0.05)。饲粮类型与添加剂对肉仔鸡生长性能无显著的互作效应(P0.05)。2)与添加Gln相比,抗生素饲粮中添加ISF显著改善19日龄肉仔鸡回肠形态(P0.05);低蛋白质饲粮中添加XPC与添加其他2种添加剂相比对肉仔鸡回肠形态有显著改善作用(P0.05);与添加XPC相比,大麦饲粮中添加ISF显著改善19日龄肉仔鸡回肠形态(P0.05)。除35日龄肉仔鸡回肠隐窝深度外,饲粮类型与添加剂对回肠形态存在显著的互作效应(P0.05)。3)大麦饲粮中添加XPC比添加Gln和ISF显著提高35日龄肉仔鸡回肠干扰素-γ水平(P0.05);与添加ISF相比,抗生素饲粮中添加XPC可显著提高19日龄肉仔鸡回肠白细胞介素-10(IL-10)和免疫球蛋白A(Ig A)水平(P0.05),添加Gln可显著提高35日龄肉仔鸡回肠Ig A水平(P0.05);低蛋白质饲粮中添加XPC比添加其他2种添加剂显著提高19日龄肉仔鸡回肠Ig A水平(P0.05);无抗生素饲粮中添加ISF比添加XPC显著提高35日龄肉仔鸡回肠IL-10和Ig A水平(P0.05);而大麦饲粮中添加ISF比添加XPC显著降低35日龄肉仔鸡回肠IL-10水平(P0.05)。对于回肠IL-10和Ig A水平,饲粮类型与添加剂之间存在显著互作效应(P0.05)。4)抗生素饲粮中添加XPC比添加其他2种添加剂显著降低19日龄肉仔鸡粪便中氮和磷残留率(P0.05);无抗生素饲粮中添加XPC比添加其他2种添加剂显著提高19日龄肉仔鸡粪便中氮和磷残留率以及35日龄肉仔鸡粪便中磷残留率(P0.05);低蛋白质饲粮中添加XPC比添加Gln显著降低19日龄肉仔鸡粪便中氮残留率(P0.05);大麦饲粮中添加Gln比添加其他2种添加剂显著降低19日龄肉仔鸡粪便中氮和磷残留率(P0.05)。对氮、磷残留率而言,饲粮类型与添加剂之间存在显著互作效应(P0.05)。由此可见,4种类型饲粮中添加3种添加剂对1~42日龄肉仔鸡生长性能无显著影响;能氮比固定的低蛋白质饲粮降低了肉仔鸡的生长性能;低蛋白质饲粮中添加XPC可改善回肠形态结构;在不同类型饲粮中添加不同的添加剂具有改善肉仔鸡回肠免疫状态及降低粪便中氮磷残留率的趋势。     

Effects of dietary amino acid density and metabolizable energy level on the growth and meat yield of summer-reared broilers

The effects of dietary amino acid (AA) density and AME on the growth and meat yield of summer-reared Cobb × Cobb 700 (CCB-700) broilers were evaluated. In addition, the responses of CCB-700 and Cobb × Cobb 500 (CCB-500) broilers to dietary AME levels (with low AA) were compared. All chicks were fed through a starter, grower, finisher, and withdrawal phase program. Grow-out performance, carcass traits, meat yield, and feed cost efficiency were evaluated using 2 separate 2-way ANOVA based on 2 separate 2 × 2 factorial arrangements of treatments. Each group includes 14 replicate pens with 14 chicks/replicate. Mortality was not affected by treatment; however, as compared with birds fed other diets, feeding CCB-700 broilers a low-AME and high-AA density diet decreased feed intake and BW on d 35, 42, and 54, and decreased carcass, breast, wing, front half, and back half weights on d 55. The CCB-500 broilers consumed more feed and gained more weight as compared with CCB-700 broilers at 14, 28, and 35 d of age. However, at 55 d of age, breast weight and wing yield were observed to be higher in the CCB-700 than in the CCB-500 broilers. However, the back half (drumstick and thigh) weights were lower in the CCB-700 than in the CCB-500 broilers. In conclusion, without affecting feed costs, broiler performance and carcass yield were affected by diet in both strains. More specifically, a higher AME diet and lower AA density increased the yield of all cut-up parts, except for legs, in summer-reared CCB-700 chicks.     

Effect of hypothalamic electrolytic lesions in White Leghorn and broiler male cockerels

1. This study compared the effect of bilateral electrolytic lesions of the basomedial hypothalamus (HL) in broiler and White Leghorn (WL) males. 2. Hypothalamic lesions were placed in WL at 10 weeks of age (body weight 1.1 kg) and in broilers, either at 6 weeks (body weight 1.5kg) or at 10 weeks of age (body weight 3.4kg). They were fed ad libitum until autopsy at 16 and 17 weeks of age for broilers and WL, respectively. 3. Hypothalamic lesions caused obesity (high percentage weight of abdominal adipose tissue) in both strains. Obese fowls with unimpaired reproductive systems were classified as OB and those with functional castration as FC (functionally castrated) or FCLC (functionally castrated with large comb). 4. All post-HL syndromes-OB, FC and FCLC-were present in WL, whereas all obese broilers (which are immature at this age) were classified as OB. 5. The percentage weight of abdominal adipose tissue in OB broilers was lower than in OB WL (3% vs 5%, respectively). 6. Daily food intake of OB broilers was higher than control at 12 to 15 weeks of age, regardless of time of placement of HL, whereas daily food intake of OB WL was significantly higher than that of control WL only during the first 2 weeks following HL. 7. Body weight of OB broilers at autopsy was 20% higher than control broilers, whereas body weight of OB WL was not significantly affected. 8. An additional group of broilers was reared to sexual maturity under food restriction until 28 weeks of age. HL were placed at 10 weeks of age (body weight 1.7 kg). Autopsy was performed after a 4-week period of ad libitum feeding. 9. There were OB as well as FC and FCLC among the HL, food-restricted broilers. Percentage weight of testes and spleen were reduced in OB fowls of both strains, but more so in OB WL. 10. Hyperphagia and weight gain were not observed during the ad libitum feeding period of those obese broilers after HL, indicating that hyperphagia and weight gain are secondary to obesity.     

Effects of feeding deoxynivalenol contaminated wheat on growth performance, organ weights and histological parameters of the intestine of broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of moderate dietary concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON) during a 21-day feeding experiment on the performance of broilers. Fifteen 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into two groups. The control group was fed non-contaminated diet. Another group of broilers was fed a diet naturally contaminated with 5 mg DON/kg diet. Deoxynivalenol had no effect (p > 0.05) on feed consumption, feed conversion, body-weight gain, live body weight or mortality. The absolute and relative weight of the organs (gizzard, pancreas, heart, spleen, colon and caecum) were not altered by the dietary inclusion of DON contaminated grain. However, both the absolute and relative weight of small intestine was decreased (p < 0.01) in DON fed broilers compared to the controls. No gross lesions were detected in any of the organs of birds fed contaminated wheat during the feeding trial. The microscopic examination revealed that, the height and the width of villi in duodenum decreased (p < 0.05) in birds fed DON contaminated wheat compared to controls. On the other hand the height and the width of jejunum villi were not affected (p > 0.05). This study indicates that feeding DON for 21 days to broiler chickens at a concentration of up to 5 mg/kg of diet influenced the weight of the small intestine as well as intestinal histology, especially the duodenum, as evidenced by shorter and thinner villi. In conclusion, diets with DON contamination below levels that induce negative impact on health and performance could affect small intestinal morphology in broilers.     

复合有机酸钙对肉鸡生长性能、胫骨发育及血清指标的影响

本文旨在研究饲粮中添加复合有机酸钙对肉鸡生长性能、胫骨发育及血清指标的影响,评估复合有机酸钙对肉鸡的饲用效果。试验选取900只体重相近的1日龄健康科宝-500(Cobb-500)肉公鸡,随机分为3个组,每组6个重复,每个重复50只鸡。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮,试验1和2组饲喂在基础饲粮中分别添加0.4%和0.8%复合有机酸钙(替换部分无机钙源)的试验饲粮,各组钙、磷水平保持一致,试验期42 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,试验1和2组肉鸡在1~21日龄、22~42日龄和1~42日龄的平均日增重(ADG)显著提高(P0.05),料重比(F/G)显著降低(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,21日龄时,试验1和2组肉鸡的胫骨钙含量显著提高(P0.05);42日龄时,试验1和2组的胫骨长度和钙含量显著提高(P0.05),且试验1组的胫骨灰分含量显著高于对照组和试验2组(P0.05)。3)42日龄时,试验1和2组肉鸡的血清谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性显著低于对照组(P0.05),但试验1组的血清GOT活性与试验2组差异不显著(P0.05)。饲粮中添加复合有机酸钙对21和42日龄肉鸡的血清甲状旁腺激素(PTH)、降钙素(CT)、钙、磷含量以及谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性均无显著影响(P0.05)。4)饲粮中添加复合有机酸钙对21和42日龄肉鸡的血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性以及丙二醛(MDA)含量均无显著影响(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中添加复合有机酸钙可改善肉鸡的生长性能,促进胫骨发育,且以添加0.4%的复合有机酸钙饲用效果较好。     

饲养密度和硫辛酸对肉鸡血清指标、行为及骨骼发育的影响

本试验旨在研究高饲养密度条件下饲粮中添加硫辛酸(LA)对肉鸡血清指标、行为及骨骼发育的影响.试验选取健康状况良好、体重相近的1530只21日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡,随机分成3组,即常规饲养密度组(ND组,15只/m2,饲喂基础饲粮)、高饲养密度组(HD组,18只/m2,饲喂基础饲粮)和高饲养密度+LA组(HD+LA组,...     

The development of thermal resistance of the feather coat in broilers with different feathering genotypes and feeding regimes

1. This study compared the development of thermal resistance of the feather coat in broilers, with early or late feathering genes, and with or without the naked neck gene, allowed ad libitum or restricted feeding. 2. Male and female broilers of one of the 4 genotypes were reared to 6 weeks of age and allocated to one of the two feeding regimes. The thermal resistance of the back and crop region was measured at weekly intervals. A sample of birds were killed at the same ages and total feather weight, primary and secondary flight feather weight, liver weight and abdominal fat weight were measured. 3. All three main factors, sex, feeding and genotype, had significant effects on feather weight over time. The primary and secondary flight feathers were less affected by feed restriction than the feather coat as a whole. Birds with the naked neck gene showed a greater depression in growth rate than birds with a normal neck under conditions of restricted feeding. 4. The thermal resistance of the feathers on the back was greater in females, increased by early feather growth and decreased by restricted feeding. 5. Relative to metabolic body size, birds on restricted feeding had a greater feather weight and a smaller liver. There was a marked reduction in fat deposition, to almost negligible levels by 6 weeks of age. 6. Broilers given restricted feeding, in preparation for breeding, would benefit by a warmer environment, particularly those with feathering genotypes which confer a lower thermal resistance.     

饲粮添加大豆卵磷脂乳化剂对肉鸡生长性能、养分利用率和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究在2种能量水平饲粮中添加大豆卵磷脂乳化剂对肉鸡生长性能、养分利用率和血清生化指标的影响。试验采用2×2因子完全随机区组试验设计,将960只1日龄科宝500白羽肉公鸡随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复40只鸡。各组试验鸡分别饲喂2个能量水平和2个乳化剂添加水平组成的试验饲粮,其中代谢能分别为12.13和11.92 MJ/kg(1～21日龄)、12.96和12.65 MJ/kg(22～49日龄),乳化剂添加水平分别为0和265 mg/kg(1～21日龄)、0和400 mg/kg(22～49日龄)。试验测定肉鸡生长性能,能量、干物质、粗蛋白质和粗脂肪表观利用率,以及血糖、血脂和胆汁酸含量。结果表明:肉鸡采食正常能量饲粮前期(1～21日龄)平均日增重极显著高于低能量饲粮(P<0.01),肉鸡全期(1～49日龄)采食添加乳化剂的低能量饲粮料重比能达到正常能量饲粮水平;饲粮添加乳化剂有提高平均日增重和饲粮粗脂肪和能量表观利用率的趋势,可促进胆汁分泌,能显著降低前期及全期料重比(P<0.05)。结果显示,降低饲粮能量显著降低1～21日龄肉鸡平均日增重,提高1～21日龄和1～49日龄料重比;饲粮添加乳化剂能够改善饲料利用率,特别是在1～21日龄肉鸡低能量饲粮中效果更明显。     

饲粮添加不同水平维生素D_3对肉仔鸡生长性能和骨磷代谢利用的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平维生素D3(VD3)对肉仔鸡生长性能及骨磷代谢利用的影响。试验选用480只1日龄艾拔益加肉公雏,采用2×4双因子完全随机设计,设2个饲粮非植酸磷水平[0.45%和0.23%(实测值为0.44%和0.21%)]与4个VD3添加水平(0、1 000、2 000和4 000IU/kg),共8个组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验期21d。结果表明,与0.21%非植酸磷水平相比,0.44%非植酸磷水平显著提高肉仔鸡平均日增重(ADG)、平均日采食量(ADFI)、胫骨灰分含量和胫骨灰分磷含量(P0.05),显著降低料重比(F/G)和胫骨灰分磷绝对沉积率(P0.05);与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著提高肉仔鸡ADG、15~21和1~21日龄ADFI、胫骨灰分含量和胫骨灰分磷绝对沉积率(P0.05),显著降低1~21日龄肉仔鸡F/G(P0.05);0.21%非植酸磷水平下,与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著降低肉仔鸡死亡率(P0.05),显著提高21日龄肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05),添加2000IU/kg VD3显著提高14日龄肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05);0.44%非植酸磷水平下,与不添加VD3相比,饲粮中添加VD3显著提高肉仔鸡胫骨灰分磷重量(P0.05)。以上结果表明,饲粮中添加VD3可提高肉仔鸡的生长性能并降低死亡率,促进磷在骨骼中的代谢利用。     

Free availability of high‐energy foods led to energy over‐ingestion and protein under‐ingestion in choice‐fed broilers

The objective of this study was to compare energy and protein content of the diet selected by choice‐fed broilers with that of broilers fed a balanced diet. One hundred and eighty 1‐day‐old male broilers were randomly assigned in groups of 10 to one of three experimental treatments (n = 6). Control broilers were fed a standard balanced diet, whereas choice‐fed broilers were fed three foods which were more concentrated (Choice C+ treatment) or less concentrated (Choice C– treatment) in protein, carbohydrate or fat. We evaluated food intake behavior, nutrient intake, and performance parameters of broilers from 2 to 7 weeks of age. Choice C+ broilers showed enhanced preference for the high‐fat food, which led to higher energy intake and lower protein intake than those of control broilers at 2 to 4 weeks of age. Body weight, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were negatively affected by diet selection of Choice C+ broilers. Choice C– broilers selected a balanced diet, and showed performance parameters similar to those of control broilers. Our results supported the hypothesis that free availability of high‐energy foods bias ingestive behavior of choice‐fed broilers toward selecting a diet with higher energy and lower protein than needed for normal growth.