Performance of Broilers fed On-Farm versus Commercial Feeds

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Animal Science Departmental farm to compare the growth performance of broiler chickens reared on three on-form feeds and three commercial feeds. Broilers were fed the six types of feed during the starter phase between 0-5 weeks of age and during the finisher phase between 5-9weeks. Results showed that although one of the commercial feeds outperformed all other feeds in terms of weight gain and feed efficiency; the overall growth performance on on-farm feeds were comparable to those on commercial feeds even where one of the on-farm feeds contained sub-optimal levels of energy Ilowever, feed cost / kg weight gain was significantly lower for on-farm feeds. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the on furm diets (T1-T3) and the commercial diets (T4 -T6) in term of feed cost per kg gain. The on farm feeds were relatively cheaper than the commercial feeds. It is concluded from this study that the widespread use of on-farm feeds hy poultry farmers can be justified on the basis of cost effectiveness and profitability considerutions. However the risks associated with this practice should be a matter of concern to all poultry farmers, research and extension personnel. It is therefore recommended that feed quality regulatory agencies should as a matter of urgency find ways by which some nieasure of quality control can be applied to on-farm feeds.