Effect of Supplementation on Performance of Indigenous Chicken under Farmer’s Condition at Barishal District of Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was carried out to know the effect of supplementation on growth performance of indigenous chicken in Barishal district of Bangladesh. The study was conducted at Babuganj upazila of Barishal district, Bangladesh. Randomly ten households were selected with a pretested questionnaire by face to face interview and direct observation. The major constraints of rural poultry production were dirty, non-structured poultry house. As a part of the study the existing chicken house of the farmers was modifying first. Feeder and drinker also supplied for easy supply of feed and water. Body weight and body weight gain was recorded both cock and hen in indigenous chicken at selected farmers house feeding supplementation compared with scavenging group. Mean body weight with standard error showed significance differences from 4th weeks of age to 22nd weeks of age in cock. Indigenous cock gained 1kg body weight at 22nd weeks of age feeding supplementation where highest body weight gain at 18th weeks of age. Hen also showed significance differences in body weight and body weight gain between supplemented group and scavenging group. Where hen attained 1004.46±1.72g body weight at 22nd week of age in supplemented group and 792.35±5.38g at scavenging group. Body weight gain of hen highest at 102.30.±2.35g at 16th weeks of age. Fertility, hatchability and mortality in artificial and natural incubator showed no significance difference between supplemented and scavenging group. Chick mortality showed significance difference during brooding period and it recorded highest 18.3± 1.31% during first week of age. Finally we can conclude that supplementation can improve the body weight gain and lower the risk of chick mortality of indigenous chicken in rural condition. We hope that this study will support farmers by enhancing their knowledge about supplementation feeding of indigenous chicken for better body weight gain and lower mortality of chicks.