Abstract
Feed restriction (FR) strategies are classified into quantitative FR (quantity-limited of feed or time-limited access to the feeder) and qualitative FR (reduction of nutrients density in particularly protein, amino acids, and energy or diet dilution using fibres' sources). Application of early FR (during the 2nd wk of age) might be involved in decreasing carcase fat content and modifying carcase composition depending on FR severity, FR duration, strain, gender, and feed distribution during the rearing period. The FR might be involved in modifying meat chemical composition and meat quality characteristics by controlling the morphological and biochemical properties of muscle fibres. Post-hatch FR plays a vital role in determining satellite cell activity and consequently muscle growth and development as well as the intermuscular fat deposition, which in turn is associated with fat/lean ratio in breast meat. Interestingly, FR is a successful and safe tool to minimise the occurrence and severity of myopathies in breast muscle. The purpose of this review is to present the recent knowledge concerning the benefits of FR on carcase characteristics, meat quality traits, muscle fibres' properties, muscle growth and development, and occurrence and severity of myopathies in poultry.