Thumbnail Image

Theses

Browse

19911
Reset filters
Subject: Poultry Science × Author: John Jacob, E × End date: 1996 × Start date: 1990 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of housing systems on performance of broilers in summer
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1991) John Jacob, E; KAU; Peethambaran, P A
    A study was undertaken to quantamise the performance of broilers during three to eight weeks of age under three systems of rearing namely deep litter (DL), deep litter with fanned environment (DLF) and wire floor (WF) in a house with ACC roofing. The deep litter system of rearing broilers in a house with tile roofing (DLT) was also studied and compared with the above systems. Each system consisted of five replicates of 28 chicks each. Wood shavings were used as litter material in deep litter system. Plastic hexagonal mesh was used in wire floor system. Pedestal fan were used for providing fanned environment. Dry mash was fed throughout the study. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Standard managemental practices were followed identically in all systems of rearing. It was observed that the eighth week body weight and cumulative feed efficiency were numerically better with broilers reared in the house with tile roof. The cumulative feed intake per broiler during the period from zero to eight weeks of age was low during summer with all rearing systems studied. The cumulative feed efficiency was adversely affected by rearing broilers on DL with fanned environment. A marked reduction in maximum temperature inside the house, per cent relative humidity at the level of birds and cloacal temperature of birds were noticed in broilers reared with deep litter system in the house with tile roofing. The overall mean per cent relative humidity inside the house was found to be 82.5 per cent in the morning and 49.0 per cent in the afternoon during summer. Livability was not affected by any of the housing system. Among the different rearing systems, a reduction in ready to cook yield was observed in broilers reared with deep litter system in the house with ACC roofing. The returns over cost of feeding broilers revealed that it was Rs 7.99 per broiler with deep litter system of rearing in the house with tiled roof. In the house with ACC roofing, the returns over feeding cost in various systems were comparatively lower. From the above findings, it was concluded that rearing of broilers on deep litter system in a house with tiled roof was preferable in comparison with deep litter and wire floor system of rearing in a house with asbestos roofing, during summer season under hot humid environment.