EFFECT OF POULTRY FEED AND STOCKING DENSITY ON BROILER PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the effects of poultry feed under different stocking densities on Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and growth of broiler strain Ross 308. An experiment was conducted with three types of feed under three stocking densities. A total of 450 unsexed Day-Old Chicks (DOC) were used for the study. The types of feed tested were Karma feed, BMG feed and Samrat feed. The three stocking densities were low density (6 birds m-2 ), medium density (8 birds m-2 ) and high density (10 birds m-2 ). The areas allocated were 8.33 m-2 , 6.25 m-2 and 5.0 m-2 for low, medium and high densities, respectively. Each area was stocked with 50 birds. Feed type showed a significant effect on the final live body weight. Mortality was not significantly affected by feed. At the end of experiment (42 days), the final live body weight was greatest for birds fed with Samrat feed in stocking density of 8 birds m-2 . The lowest body weight was recorded for birds fed with BMG feed in stocking density of 10 birds m-2 . The average final live weight across all stocking densities was recorded for Karma feed. The study results suggest that Samrat feed is the best among three feed brands for commercial broiler Ross-308.