Dr. S.S. NagraKaur, Navneet2024-04-052024-04-052009https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810208145Burning of agricultural residues especially paddy straw is now recognized as a major source of environmental concern in India. Burning of huge quantities of paddy straw annually leads to emission of obnoxious gases thus causing adverse impacts on, health of human, animal and bird population. This practice can be discouraged through its utilization as alternate litter material to commonly used paddy husk which is now available at costly prices because of its use in different industries thus raising the cost of broiler production. This was evaluated through three experiments during summer, winter and spring seasons conducted on broiler chicks. Broiler chicks (n=144) were distributed into three treatment groups, each having 4 replicates and reared up to 42 days of age. Paddy husk (PH), unchopped paddy straw (UPS) and chopped paddy straw (CPS) were used as different litter materials. The litter type had no significant effect on body weight, weight gain, FCR, PER and EER evisceration rates and cut-up parts of carcasses. Mortality was little higher in paddy straw groups which also contained more moisture and had higher caking/compaction leading to soiled and unsanitary breast feathers. Bedding type had no influence on bacterial/parasitic load and manorial value of the litter. It was concluded that combination of paddy straw and paddy husk (PH) makes a good bedding material for broiler chicks.EnglishThesis