COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BROILER HYBRIDS IN SUB TROPICAL ZONE OF BHUTAN

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the growth rate and feed conversion ratio of two commercial broiler hybrids namely Vencobb 400Y and Ross 308. A total of 330 unsexed day-old chicks comprising of 165 numbers each of Vencobb 400Y and Ross 308 were used for the study. Each experimental group was randomly allocated with 55 numbers of birds with three replicates and were reared in an open sided poultry shed. The performance data were collected for 42 days and, analyzed using sample independent t-test. There was significant difference (p=0.00) between two broiler hybrids in terms of final body weight. Initial body weight of Ross 308 was found higher than the Vencobb 400Y hybrid. However, at the end trial (42 days), the final live body weight of Vencobb 400Y was observed higher than Ross 308. The final live body weights recorded for Ross 308 and Vencobb 400Y were 2280.24 ± 37.75 gm and 2636.20 ± 31.13 gm respectively. The final FCR of 2.02 for Ross 308 and 1.78 for Vencobb 400Y were recorded. There was no significant difference (p=0.06) between the two broiler hybrids for feed conversion ratio and mortality. In overall, the performance of these two commercial broiler hybrids was found comparable in sub-tropical zone during spring.