SUMMARY

A total number of 120- one day old chicks were randomly assigned into four equal groups to investigate the effect of feed color on their growth performance and carcass characteristics. The first group was fed non color feed and considered as a control group (C). While, second, third and fourth treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) were fed green, orange or red feed, respectively. The obtained results showed that feeding colored diets had significant positive effect on body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversation throughout the experimental period. Also, there were significant differences in carcass color, dressed carcass percentages, carcass cut-up parts (breast and drum percentages) or muscles (breast), gizzard, carcass deep (cm) and abdominal fat percentages. However, no significant differences (P>0.05) existed in most giblets (heart and liver percentages) and thigh percentages. It could be concluded, that birds fed orange feed had the best performance. Consequently, feed color for broiler chicks should be in orange color.