Abstract
The present study examined the comparative performance between Bovans Nera and other commercial pullet strains in Nigeria. This study was carried out in the pullet house at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, from January to April, 2002. The experiment was carried out to compare the growth performance and profitability of Bovans Nera with three other commercial pullet strains, Bovans Godline, Lohmann White and Lohmann Tradition. All data collected were subjected to the analysis of variance using the SAS General Linear Model procedure. Differences between treatment means were separated using Duncans New Multiple Range Test. Profitability was assessed using net returns by subtracting costs (rearing pullet, feed and packaging excluding overheads and labour) from income (from egg sales and spent birds). The results showed that Bovans Nera was better in feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency (a greater weight gain per unit feed intake) and attained a greater weight and a better market value than the other pullet strains. There was a higher production cost for Bovans Nera when compared with other strains. However, Bovans Nera will give more returns on investment even when their eggs are translated to monetary terms. These differences can be attributed to variation in the genetic constitution of individual strains.
Highlights
The importance of poultry production to the biological needs, economic and social development of the people in any nation cannot be overemphasized. Oluyemi and Roberts (1979) claimed that poultry production in Nigeria as well as other warm climate countries has a high priority rating compared with other types of livestock because poultry has better energy and protein conversion ratio and that net return on investment are relatively high.Commercial layer strains produce eggs for food and egg processing industries
The cost of day-old chicks, equipment, feeds, drugs and other inputs are unbearable and for a farmer to succeed in this enterprise, the most productive layer strain must be reared on the farm in order to achieve the desired maximum profit, repay the loans secured for the business and plan for expansion
The average feed intake of the birds was influenced by the strain difference with Lohman Tradition having the highest (548.69±2.57 g per bird) feed intake, followed by Bovans Nera (514.88±3.93 g per bird) while Bovans Goldline had the lowest (436.11±0.09 g per bird)
Summary
The importance of poultry production to the biological needs, economic and social development of the people in any nation cannot be overemphasized. Oluyemi and Roberts (1979) claimed that poultry production in Nigeria as well as other warm climate countries has a high priority rating compared with other types of livestock because poultry has better energy and protein conversion ratio and that net return on investment are relatively high. The cost of day-old chicks, equipment, feeds, drugs and other inputs are unbearable and for a farmer to succeed in this enterprise, the most productive layer strain must be reared on the farm in order to achieve the desired maximum profit, repay the loans secured for the business and plan for expansion. Advances in genetic selection are delivering lighter body weight targets, earlier ages to 50% production, and higher hen day rates with better persistency, all on lower feed intakes. This is certainly a good formula for higher profits, but this comes with increased pressure for the best pullet possible. This study was, carried out to examine the place of genetic composition in the growth, nutrient utilization and cost/benefit values of pullets fed with the same feed under the same condition
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