Abstract
Three commercial broiler strains (Arbor-acre, Marshall and Hubbard) were placed under three dietary energy and crude protein levels of 2900 Kcal/kg (ME) - 22% CP, 3100 Kcal/kg (ME) - 23% CP, and 3300 Kcal/kg (ME) - 24% CP as low, medium and high energy levels at starter phase, respectively. At the finisher phase, the birds were fed 2800 Kcal/kg (ME) - 19% CP, 3000 Kcal/kg(ME) - 20% CP and 3200 Kcal/kg (ME) - 21% CP, in order to determine their productive performance in wet season of semi-arid. A total of 675 birds were used in a completely randomized design (CRD) comprising 225 birds each of each strain serving as treatments. Each group was replicated five times so that each replicate had 15 birds. Each strain group was fed three dietary energy levels at both starter and finisher phases for 56 days. Feed and water intakes, mortality, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, Cost/kg gain was determined at the end of the trial. Data recorded for each phase were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) was used to compare the means. Results indicated that Hubbard strain had significantly (P<0.05) lowest cost/kg gain, mortality, feed conversion ratio, feed intake and higher weight gain than other strains. Low energy diet had significant higher (P<0.05) weight gain and lower cost/kg gain than both medium and high energy diets. The study concluded that; Hubbard strain fed low energy diet should be raised in wet season of semi-arid Sokoto due to its lower cost/kg gain, mortality, better feed conversion ratio and higher average daily gain compared to other strains.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.5(1): 33-42, April 2018
Highlights
Broiler birds among other species of poultry have the potential of providing quality protein to the populace owing to its short generation interval, thereby creating source of employment and quicker return of investment
The study concluded that; Hubbard strain fed low energy diet should be raised in wet season of semi-arid Sokoto due to its lower cost/kg gain, mortality, better feed conversion ratio and higher average daily gain compared to other strains
Performance parameters of different broiler strains at starter phase in wet season of semi-arid Sokoto Significant differences that were observed in the main effect of strain in terms of average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality and cost/kg gain, were higher than those obtained for the same strains in other researches
Summary
Broiler birds among other species of poultry have the potential of providing quality protein to the populace owing to its short generation interval, thereby creating source of employment and quicker return of investment. There has been allot of constraints hindering growth and development of poultry industry in wet season of semi-arid Sokoto, Nigeria, these include sudden temperature fluctuations in wet season which make it difficult for birds to maintain their thermoneutral zone. Other factors determining the success of broiler production in semi-arid Sokoto include; vertical immunity of a particular broiler strain to the common infections prevalent in wet season, and their ability to convert feed effectively in the event of stress. The wet season of Sokoto semi-arid Nigeria extends between May and October and it is characterized by temperature fluctuations (SEPP, 1996 (unpublished); Abdulrahim et al 2013).This temperature fluctuation does not support efficient performance of some broiler strains(Oluyemi and Roberts 2000; Razuki et al, 2011). Broiler strains commonly supplied to the farmers in semi-arid Sokoto include Arbor-acre, Hubbard and Marshall which were developed in Asia and Europe, hatched and distributed by some companies in south western Nigeria, these differences in the environments and strains results in having inconsistent performance resulting from using a particular strain of broilers across different seasons of semi-arid Sokoto
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