Effect of feed type on performance of pullet chicks in Nsukka local government area of Enugu state, Nigeria

Abstract

A five-week study was conducted to determine the effect of feed type on performance of pullet chicks in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty 4-week old pullet chicks (ISA Brown strain) averaging 100.03g body weight were randomly divided into 4 groups of 30 birds each. Each group was randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (self-compounded starter diet (C) and three commercial starter diets-A, B and D, respectively), using a completely randomized design (CRD). Each diet constituted a treatment. Each treatment was replicated 2 times with 15 birds per replicate. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. There were significant (P<0.05) differences among treatments in average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein intake, protein efficiency ratio and final body weight. Birds on treatment C (self-compounded feed) had significantly (P<0.05) higher final body weight and average daily weight gain than those on treatments A, B and D (commercial feeds), while birds on treatment A had significantly (P<0.05) higher average daily feed intake than birds on other treatments. Birds on treatment C had the least FCR value and higher (P<0.05) protein efficiency ratio (PER) value. Birds on treatment C had the least (P<0.05) cost of daily feed intake and total feed intake and cost of feed per kg weight gain. It was concluded that diet C (self-compounded feed) was superior to the commercial feeds because it supported the highest growth rate of chicks and its use resulted in drastic reduction in feed cost per kg weight gain.

Keywords: Feed type, growth performance, pullet chicks, Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria