STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF STOCKING DENSITY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BROILER CHICKS RAISED IN DIFFERENT SEASON
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Date
2011-12
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Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg (C.G.)
Abstract
Day old chicks of commercial strain, Ven Cobb-400 were raised for 6 weeks on deep litter system. The experiment was conducted in three different seasons namely winter ,summer and rainy seasons. A total of 480 day old chicks in each season representing equal number in both sexes were divided randomly into four groups. Each group consisting of 120 chicks was divided into four replications and each replication had 30 chicks. Chicks were housed at stocking densities of 0.50 sq. ft/ bird, 0.75 sq. ft/ bird, 1.00 sq. ft/bird and 1.25 sq. ft/ bird. One additional replicate of each stocking density was maintained for extra birds for the replacement of dead birds in the experimental pens so as to maintain a constant density in the present study. Studies indicated that heaviest body weight of day old chicks was found to be 42.90 g in winter season. Highest growth was recorded in winter season(2587.50 g followed by summer(2244.83 g) and rainy(2199.61 g) seasons at 6th week of age group. With the exception of 5th week of age, highest growth was recorded at 1.0 sq. ft floor space per bird as compared to other stocking densities under different age groups. The body weight of male was significantly (P< 0.01) higher (2520.62g) than female birds (2127.39 g). No significant difference was observed in season*density*sex. The average weekly feed consumed by birds at 6th week of age was 1104.56 g, 1293.73 g, and 1298.47 g in winter, summer and rainy seasons respectively. Feed intake was found to be non significant in birds reared at different stocking densities. Body weight gain was recorded higher at stocking density of 1.0 sq.ft per bird in all the seasons. Body weight gain ranged from 126.76 g (1st week) to 563.17 g (6th week) in winter. The mean value of feed conversion ratio ranged from 1.88 (1.0 sq. ft / bird) to 1.99 (0.5 sq.ft/bird) in summer season. Lower feed conversion ratio was observed in birds reared on the floor space of 1.0 sq.ft at 6th week. Nitrogen retention was observed to be higher in winter (60.61%) at 1.0 sq.ft/bird followed by summer (52.14%) at 1.25sq. ft/bird. Hb was found to be 7.04 g/100ml (winter ), 7.01 g/ 100ml (rainy) and 6.92 g /100ml (summer) with non significant effect of season. Higher H/L ratio was observed at stocking density of 1.0 sq, ft /bird. Mean serum cholesterol ranged from 119.60 to (1.25 sq.ft/bird) to 128.08mg/100ml (0.75 sq.ft/bird.).Free fatty acid was recorded higher (20.33mg/dl) at a stocking density of 1.25 sq.ft/bird. Mean cortisole was significantly (P< 0.01) varied from 3.60ng/dl(1.25 sq.ft) to 6.97ng/dl (0.5 sq.ft/bird) in winter. Higher reduced Glutathione (18.39mole/gHb) was observed at 1.0 sq.ft/bird. Males had significantly higher glutathione than female. Mean lipid peroxidation varied from 4.66 mole/g Hb (winter) to 30.94 mole/g Hb (rainy) with significant effect. The overall mean giblet weight was found to significantly (P<0.01) higher i.e. 91.68g in winter. Males had higher thigh weight (583.66g) than females (480.08g). Stocking densities were observed to be non significant on gizzard weight. Higher leg weight (60.37 g) was observed in the floor space of 1.0 sq.ft/bird. Significantly higher dressing percentage was observed in both winter (82.56%) and summer (82.53) seasons. Density and sex were found no significant effect on dressing percentage of carcass. Higher mortality of broiler birds was recorded in summer season. 13.88% mortality was recorded at stocking density of 0.5 sq.ft/bird followed by 11.11% at 0.75 sq.ft/bird, 10.5% at 1.25 sq.ft/bird and 8.8% at 1.0 sq.ft/ bird. The net income per bird raised on 1.0 sq.ft/bird stocking density was observed maximum (Rs. 63.26) followed by 1.25 sq.ft/bird (Rs. 60.0), 0.75 sq.ft/bird (Rs. 57.96) and 0.5 sq.ft/bird (Rs. 47.76) stocking densities. (A.