Abstract
BackgroundFew literatures exist on the performance and cost implication of birds reared on different management system. The cost benefit analysis of rearing Isa Brown layers on three different management systems was evaluated in a 9 (9)-week feeding trial. One hundred and forty-four (144) points of lay (19 weeks old) Isa-Brown chickens were procured from a reputable farm in Osun state. The birds were placed on three (3) treatments (battery cage, deep litter, and free range) of three (3) replicates and sixteen (16) birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Birds reared on conventional cages were arranged into three birds per cage unit. Birds on deep litter were kept on wood shavings, in which perches, laying nests, feeders, and drinkers were provided. Hens on free range management system were kept in a large area of land camped using planks and hexagonal wire mesh which was partitioned into various replicates. Sheds were provided for the birds to protect them from harsh weather conditions, and perches, laying nests, feeders, and drinkers were also provided. The birds on all the treatments (battery cage, deep litter and free range) were given the same diet, and the study period lasted for sixty-five days. The weight gain per bird, percentage weight gain, hen day production (HDP), egg mass index, and feed conversion ratio were determined. At the end of the experiment, these records were used to evaluate economic indices.ResultsThe result showed that only the feed intake and total feed intake were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by management systems in all the parameters measured for performance. The daily feed intake, total feed intake total cost of feed consumed, quantity of egg produced per bird, revenue generated from eggs, production cost, net benefit, cost-benefit ratio, and percentage cost of production were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by management systems. Birds kept on deep litter system recorded the highest (48.87) number of eggs produced. The cost of construction was recorded to be highest in battery cage system while construction of free range facilities was at the minimum. Revenue generated from egg sold was highest (₦1384.56) in deep litter system while free range recorded the least significant (p < 0.05) (₦1301.44) value. Total cost of producing table eggs was significantly (p < 0.05) highest (₦2251.54) in battery cage, while free range had the least (₦2074.88) cost of production. Free range birds recorded the highest (₦326.56) net benefit, while the least (₦195.24) net benefit was obtained in battery cage.ConclusionIt was therefore concluded that free range management system resulted into better profit margin and could however be adopted by small scale farmers in rural areas willing to practice backyard poultry farming.
Highlights
Poultry industry is highly essential to Nigerian economy because it provides a good source of animal protein in meat and eggs (Nmadu et al 2014)
Performance of Isa Brown layers reared on three different management systems Table 2 showed the general performance of Isa Brown layers reared on three different management systems
Highest (p > 0.05) values (0.16 and 9.41) of weight gain and percentage weight gain was recorded in free range birds while birds on battery cage and deep litter had values for weight gain that are statistically (p > 0.05) similar
Summary
Poultry industry is highly essential to Nigerian economy because it provides a good source of animal protein in meat and eggs (Nmadu et al 2014). Battery cages are the major system of housing laying hens (Horne and Achterbosch 2008; Leenstra et al 2016 and Meseret 2016) This was because battery cages help to reduce sanitary problems in poultry production, and it helps to enhance labor effectiveness and space management. RSPCA considered the use of enriched cages as unacceptable and inhumane to the welfare of the poultry birds; they suggest that alternative methods such as barn, deep litter, and free range management systems should be imbibed (RSPCA 2005). At the end of the experiment, these records were used to evaluate economic indices
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