Growth Performance and Profitability of Broilers Supplemented with Vermi Meal under Free Range Management System

Abstract

Background: Poultry rearing systems and feeding have been the emphasis of broiler raisers to in able to meet the costumers demand for high-quality products. In this study, free range management have been introduced that allows the birds to enjoy their natural habitat while utilizing vermi meal as supplemented to commercial feeds. Method: Evaluated the growth performance and profitability of broilers fed with different levels of vermi meal. Treatments represent T1- 100% Commercial Feeds (CF), T2- 2% Vermi Meal (VM)+98% CF, T3- 3% VM+97% CF, T4- 5% VM+95% CF. Treatment means having significant differences were subjected to Least Significant Difference at 5 % level of significance. Result: Vermi meal did not influenced the weight gain, feed intake, feed consumption and dressing percentage of broiler chicken. However numerically, final weight and weight gain in T4 containing 5% VM was higher than T1 with commercial feed a difference of 66. 66 grams and 67.60 grams respectively. Birds of T4 with 5% inclusion of vermi meal showed higher in most parameters compared to the group fed with commercial feed. Consequently, 5% level of vermi meal had an optimum result in final weight, gain weight, feed conversion ratio, feed consumption, live weight and carcass weight.