Using high throughput phenotyping of growth and feed intake to improve adaptation of chickens to sustainable diets

To refine selection of broilers on feed efficiency, we developed an electronic feed station allowing a continuous record of body weight, feed intake and feeding behavior of animals reared on floor. Animals can express their natural feeding behavior as they are raised as a group. Using this station, we compared growth and feed efficiency traits of two genotypes (Label Rouge and standard broilers) fed with two diets (corn-soybean or an alternative diet including more sustainable feedstuffs) which were adapted to the nutritional needs of each genotype. Diet change had moderate effect on growth and feed efficiency even if the response differed between the two genotypes. Indeed, Label Rouge chickens fed with the alternative diet grew faster (+ 3,3% at slaughter), ate more (+1,1%) and had a higher FCR (+2,6%) than those fed with the corn-soybean diet. At the opposite, standard chickens fed with the alternative diet grew less (-1,7%), ate less (-4,6%) and had a lower FCR (-2,8%) than those fed with the classic diet. Theses first results indicate that animals can adapt to alternative feedstuffs, even those with a rapid growth rate. The variability of response to these alternative diets will now be tested within-genotype in order to check whether some feeding behavior or continuous feed efficiency traits can be used in selection.