Performance of Two Commercial Broiler Strains in Subtropical Environment of Bhutan

Abstract

A study was conducted with an objective to determine the growth performance and Feed Conversion Ratio [FCR] of two commercial broiler strains [Cobb 400y and Ross 308]. The study used a total of 330 unsexed Day-Old Chicks [165 of each strain]. Fifty-five numbers of each strain were randomly allocated to three replications. At the end of the experiment [42 days], the result showed that the final live body weight of Cobb 400y was better than Ross 308. There was a significant difference in the live weights between two broiler strains. There was no significant difference in the mortality trend between two broiler strains. The significant difference was also not observed in terms of average daily weight gain, FCR and dressing percentage of two commercial broilers. The study results suggest that the performance of Cobb 400y and Ross 308 are comparable under sub-tropical environmental conditions in winter.