The Effects of Three Commercial Grower Feeds on Performance, Internal Organs, and Carcass traits in Pullet Chickens

Abstract

Poultry farming is categorized as a developing business venture in most countries, especially Nigeria. This is followed by poultry feed production units ranging from smaller compartments to commercial poultry feed producers. This research study was carried out to examine the physical, and biochemical parameters of feed, growth performance, carcass traits, and visceral organs of pullets fed selected commercial grower feeds and formulated diet. A total number of 1200 Isa Brown pullets aged 10 weeks were divided into 4 groups with 5 replicates for each group randomly. This research experiment was completed within 8 weeks. All poultry feeds were filled inside standard polyethylene woven bags in the absence of insects/mold. All poultry feeds, including Top Feed, Chikun Feed, and formulated diet were grouped into mash form except one of the commercial feeds Vital Feed in the pelleted form which is the treatment of the research. There were significant differences in final body weight, weight gain, feed consumed, and feed conversion ratio among the experimental treatments. The least weight was recorded among hens fed Vital feeds with the highest feed intake, which might be due to high fiber content in the feed. The dietary treatment significantly affects the live weight, dressed weight, neck, breast muscle, liver, kidney, gizzard, and abdominal fat of pullet fed different commercial feed and formulated diets. The findings of the current study indicated that a self-formulated diet at the grower stage could replace the commercial poultry feeds used in the study.