Agrostudies Protocol Project Proposal

2017-2018

EFFECT OF ROOM SIZE ON CHICKEN MORTALITY RATE

Researchers:
Kelvin Pineda II
Aries Catimbang
Bulacan Agricultural State College
PHILIPPINES

Mugwanya Elimia
Makerere University
Benjamin Niwamanya
Bukalasa Agricultural College
UGANDA

Dr. Iris Schoenbaum

Supervisor
 CONTENTS

Item Page

Introduction.........................................................................................................................................1

Research Question...............................................................................................................................1

Hypothesis.............................................................................................................................................1

Objectives of the Research Project.......................................................................................................1

Economic Importance of the Research.................................................................................................1

Research Material and Methods...........................................................................................................2

Time Table...............................................................................................................................................3

Description of Research Method...........................................................................................................3

Photography............................................................................................................................................4

Bibliography............................................................................................................................................4
Introduction
Start with general statement about poultry farms/industry
Its very foggy introduction- Try to make an order and connections between the sentences - Write it as
paragraphs – not as separated sentences. And add citations
The issue of room size (flock size) is still a contradiction among many poultry farmers on whether or
not it has an effect on chicken mortality rate. Noting the fact that there is a difference between density
and flock size, -???Many poultry farmers are still not aware that the size of the flock partly indicated by
the room size has a significant impact on chicken mortality rate.(- in the begging of this paragraph you
wrote that there is “still contradiction” and here you write that there is “significant impact”- you need
to decide and add citation)
A number of factors can affect chicken Mortality rate in the poultry house among which are the
following; Feed intake, ambient temperature, relative humidity, density and flock size.

Many commercial poultry farmers especially those dealing in broiler production prefer large poultry
houses/rooms to smaller rooms with the aim of getting higher returns in a short time.

Density has a remarkably higher effect on chicken mortality rate. However given the correct
density(Spacing of 16birds per square metre) (add citation),the size of the room hence flock size also
has a significant effect on chicken mortality rate leading to losses in large commercial farms.

On the other hand keeping all factors constant in large flocks, It's harder and hence may not be as
accurate as in smaller flocks. Therefore birds raised in larger rooms/groups are more likely to be
affected by higher mortality rate than birds in smaller rooms.

This is also because group size of chicken has a marked influence on the performance of the chicken.
Large group convert their feeds less efficiently (savory,1974).On the other hand smaller flock have
higher survivality than those of large flock (Tind and Ambrosen, 1988)
There is a chance to improve on the farmers profits by determining the appropriate room size/flock size
to reduce on the mortality rate of birds on the poultry farms.
Therefore a study has to be conducted to investigate the effects of flock size on chicken mortality rate
and hence determine the appropriate room size for rearing chicken with the lowest mortality rate.
Objectives
The study aims to determine:
* to determine the mortality rate in poultry farms
*To determine the appropriate room size for rearing chicken.
*To reduce on the mortality rate of chicken in poultry farming

Research Question
What is the effect of room size on chicken mortality rate?

Hypothesis
Room size has a significant effect on chicken mortality rate.
Room size also has a marked influence on the performance of chicken.
Chicken raised on larger rooms convert their feed less efficiently contributing to higher mortality rate
and on the other hand, chicken reared in smaller rooms have higher survivality than those of large
rooms. Also keeping all factors favorable and constant is easier and more accurate in small rooms than
larger rooms.

Economic importance
To reduce on the losses and hence increase the profits on poultry farms.- try to extent this idea
Materials and Methods

Independent variable; Room size

Treatments; Large rooms- mention size
Medium rooms- mention size
Small rooms- mention size

Dependent variable; Chicken mortality

Parameters; Percentage of dead chicken

Chicken weight

When to measure;

1. Chicken mortality rate- Chicken mortality rate shall be measured daily as follows;

Daily mortality rate= Present number of dead chicken x 100%

Number of live the previous day
Overall mortality rate= Total number of dead chicken x100%- in what period
Total number of housed chicken
Why not to do average of the daily mortality rate
2.Chicken weight ; Chicken weight shall be measured once a week, using a weighing scale and a
bucket by first subtracting the weight of the bucket. 50-100 chicken according to age shall be measured
per week in each of the houses and average recorded. In all the houses they are in the same age- now?
When you will know what is the exact number write it down

Replicates
Repeats; 2 small rooms each with 16,000chicken
2 medium rooms each with 28800chicken
2 large rooms each with 41600chicken
A summary of treatments and repeats

Treatment No. of rooms Room size Density

Large 2 2600 Square meters 41600 Chicken

Medium 2 1800 Square meters 28800 Chicken

Small 2 1000 Square meters 16000 Chicken

Good

Fixed Factors
*Food (quality/amount)
*Water (quality/amount)
*Ambient temperature
*Light
*Genetics/breed
*Relative Humidity
*Spacing

TIME TABLE
Activity Days
( Week 1 ) ( Week 2 ) ( Week 3 ) ( Week 4 )
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
1. Cleaning Rooms x x x
2. Putting Sawdust x x
3. Setting Temp x x x x x
4. Receiving chicks x
5. Measure weight x x x x
6. Collect Dead x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
7. Vaccination x x
Description of research methods
This research proposal shall be conducted at Shelley Yazamut Poultry Farm located in Telamim.
It shall be conducted between February and April to compare the effect of room size on chicken
Mortality rate.
All experimental houses shall be cleared, disinfected, washed and left to dry for one day.
Temperature and other factors shall be stabilized in all rooms two days before receiving one day old
chicks.
The same feeds and water quality shall be provided in all rooms automatically by machines.
Chicks of same breed shall be used and initial body weight of chicks shall be recorded on the first day
of arrival.
Saw dust shall be used to cover the floor of all rooms as a litter materials.
Same light intensity shall be provided in all rooms.
Vaccination shall be carried out similarly in all treatments after 10 days.
Percentage of dead chicken shall be recorded daily for each of treatments.
Chicken weight shall be measured and recorded once every week by taking a sample of 50-100 birds
depending on age in all rooms/treatments.
Bibliography:
write it as scientific citation
*Tind & Ambrosen, 1988
*Savory, 1974