The temperature was maintained (using
gas heaters) at 33–35oC at chick level for 1 week, followed
by a reduction of 3oC each week until 18–20oC
was reached at 6 weeks of age. Artificial light was only
provided during the first week (23L:1D). The males (n
= 60) were then housed separate from the females between
8 and 22 weeks of age in straw litter pens (4
birds/m2). All birds were fed standard rearing diets containing
19% CP, 2800 kcal ME/kg, 1% Ca, and 0.5%
available P until 8 weeks of age, and 15% CP, 2700 kcal
ME/kg, 0.9% Ca, and 0.4% available P from then on.
Feed and water were supplied ad libitum.