Use of Palm Wastes as Alternative Flooring Materials in Broiler Chickens Houses under Prevailing Conditions in New Valley

Abstract

A total number of 180 one day old chicks of cobb broiler were used to investigate the effects of different types of floor made from palm wastes on growth performance and carcass traits of broiler. The study included six groups of treatments; (wheat straw litter, wire net, plastic net, wooden slats, palm fiber mate and palm stem slats floors). The achieved results showed that the floor types had significant (P≤0.05) effect on final body weight and feed conversion. Wooden slats and palm stem slats floors had significant superiority of body weight and gain over the broiler reared on wire net, plastic net and palm fiber mate floors. Also, feed conversion of broiler reared on wheat straw litter, plastic net, wooden slats and palm stem slats floors had significant superiority values over the broiler reared on wire net and palm fiber floors. Birds reared on wheat straw litter, wooden slats and palm stem floors had significantly higher carcass percentage as compared to those of wire net . The lowest percentage of abdominal fat is recorded for broilers raised on wire net floor, plastic net and palm fiber net floors in comparison with those raised on wheat straw . Broilers raised on wheat straw litter, wooden and palm stem slats floor had significantly lower leg problems than those of birds raised on wire net floor and palm fiber net floors. From the economic efficiency, it could be concluded that wooden slats and palm stem slats floors best being used for managing broilers.