COMPARISON OF BROILER CHICKEN PERFORMANCE ON DIFFERENT

FEEDS

Introduction
Nowadays, feed cost in poultry production has gone up substantially due to increase in price
of feed ingredient particularly soya bean and corn (Raghavan, 2009). In other to reduce the
cost of poultry feeds production, the search for affordable price, locally available and give
enough nutritious to support the growth of birds (Danohue and Cunningham, 2009). The two
major factors for a successful and economic broiler production are fast growth rate and
efficient feed conversion. In broiler chickens, feed efficiency is usually expressed as the
amount of FI per body weight gain (BWG) referred to as feed conversion ratio (FCR). These
can be achieved through efficient management practices that ensure effective disease
prevention and control, coupled with the availability of high quality feed, fed ad libitum and
the flock maintained under continuous illumination (Demeke, 2003). The major ingredients
such as corn in poultry diets provide the protein and energy required for poultry to maintain
health, grow, and produce eggs. Corn also called maize, is native to the Americas and was
first cultivated by the American Indians and most routinely used in commercial poultry diets
in the United States because it has a good energy content and is easy to digest. The amino
acid profile of the protein in corn complements the amino acid profile of the other
ingredients, such as soybean meal, typically used in feed. Alternative grains are typically
evaluated in relation to corn. Food conversion ratio is a

Most studies have been conducted on feed restriction a long with genotype,
behavioral change, environmental conditions or insulin receptors of broiler breeders (Merlet
et al., 2005; Puterflam et al., 2006; Hocking et al., 2007; Bruno et al., 2007) but insufficient
information has been conducted on feed intake, growth performance and economic
efficiency of broiler chicks. Moreover, in animal production most studies in catch-up growth
have been concerned with lying hens (Tesfaye et al., 2009). Information on catch-up growth
in broiler chickens is very limited. It is necessary to examine the phenomenon of catch-up
growth and some of the factors that influence the response of broiler chickens to a short-
term feed restriction and refeeding. So, this study was conducted to compare the broiler
chicken performances on different feeds with rations formulated with commercial feeds,
imported corn and GWG corn.
Methodology:
The work was undertaken at enclosed house of Malaysian Agriculture Research and
Development Institute (MARDI), Serdang, Selangor. Three treatments were tested which are;
A: commercial diet, B: imported corn, and C: GWG 888 corn with 10 replications. 18 birds of
Day Old Chick (DOC) with ±0.04 kg birds were placed into each cage according to the
treatments. A total of 30 cages were used in this experiment.

Housing and maintenance

At the beginning of experiment, 250 g of feeds were placed into feeder, and feed were
added weekly. feed and body weight (kg) were measured by using a weighing scale and data
were recorded for every week until day 42. Meanwhile mortality data were monitored and
recorded daily during the experiment period. Feed and clean water were given ad libitum
during the experiment.

Data analysis

Mean separations were determined using Turkey’s Test. The statistical analysis were
conducted using MINITAB software program version 14.
 Result and discussion:

Table 1: Performance of broiler chicken among treatments.

Treatment No of birds Initial wt (Kg)/bird Final Wt (Kg)/bird Total Wt Gain (kg)/bird Total Feed intake (kg)/bird FCR Motality (%)
a a
A 98 0.0442 ± 0.0060 2.7326 ± 0.1565 2.7326 ± 0.1565 5.0366 ± 0.5283 1.85 ± 0.2567 2.22
B 98 0.0438 ± 0.0007 2.4461 ± 0.1309 b
2.4461 ± 0.1309 4.6383 ± 0.5861 a
1.71 ± 0.2681 11.67
C 98 0.0441 ± 0.0060 2.5102 ± 0.1068 b
2.5102 ± 0.1068 4.6363 ± 0.5118 a
1.85 ± 0.1861 7.78
* Total weight gain (kg) per bird and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were measured and data were shown as mean ± standard deviation. Same superscript letters in each row
indicate that there were no significant differences (p>0.05), n=10.
From the result collected, feed conversion ratio (FCR) in treatment B was slightly higher
than treatment A and C but there is no significant different for each treatment (p<0.00) as
indicated in table 1. Meanwhile for total body weight gain per bird (kg) between treatment
A, B and C have significant different since (p>0.05). Treatment B (Imported corn) gave the
highest percentage of mortality, which is, 11.67% followed by treatment C and A
respectively.
According to Mudhunguyo and Masama, (2015) in order to provide a good quality of
chicken with proper management and nutrition, the percentage of mortality should have
less than 0.7%. Mortality of broiler chickens is caused by many factors, such as the genetics
nutrition, toxins, poor brooder management and relaxed biosecurity measures (Ahsan-ul-
Haq.,(2003; Mudhunguyo and Masama)

Efficient Feed conversion ratio is considered as a one major factor for a successful and
economic broiler production (Mudhunguyo and Masama). Based on Tegel Poultry of New
Zealand (2012); Mudhunguyo and Masama, (2015), Improved types of broiler chicken have a
feed conversion ratio of 2 to 1 thus the FCR in this study was within the range.

Conclusion

Based on result obtained, we can conclude that treatment of different feed for broiler
chicken, gave no significant different on feed conversion ration eventhough the body weight
of bird in treatment A is slightly significant different than treatment B and C.
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