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Improved Feeding of Desi Chicken Reared in Confinement

S. D. Chowdhury
Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

S. Ahmed
Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. A. Hamid
Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Growth of Desi (indigenous) chickens reared in confinement with improved feeding was compared with birds kept on traditional scavenging system. One-day-old indigenous chicks (n = 120) were divided into four groups containing 30 chickens in each group. Following a 3-day adjustment period, one group had access to a number of feed ingredients in different feeders in order to allow choice feeding. The other group received a chick mash formulated on rule of thumb basis without taking account of nutrient concentrations in the mixed feed, and the 3rd group was fed a balanced diet formulated by considering nutrient concentrations in the prepared feed. Birds reared under the traditional scavenging system had uncontrolled access to animal and vegetable matter, and were treated as control. There were three replicates of 10 birds in each treatment group. Records of growth performance up to 12 weeks indicated that birds with access to improved feeding systems gained significantly (p<0.01) more weight, and their survival rates were considerably (p<0.05) higher than those reared under traditional scavenging system. It is suggested that the Desi chickens may be more productive with improved diets when reared in confinement. (Bangl. vet. 2006. Vol. 23, No. 1, 29-35).

Keywords: Desi chicken, Feed, Comparison, Scavenging system, Traditional scavenging system

Location: In Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Chicken, Feed

Objectives:

To aimed at improving the growth rate of traditionally reared Desi chicken in confinement with improved feed in comparison with scavenging system.

Methodology:

Research station The study was carried out at farmer's households in Bandigarh village at sadar Upazilla (sub-district) of Thakurgaon, Bangladesh. Preparation of experimental house and equipment: A shed measuring 610 cm x 452 cm was constructed with a height of 244 cm in the front and 213 cm in the back, mostly with bamboo and a corrugated tin roof. There was no ceiling under the roof. The house was partitioned into 10 pens with wire netting and bamboo. Nine pens were equal in size for housing three replicates of birds each of three improved feeding groups. Another pen accommodated three replicates of scavenging chicks during night. The wall of the house was made with an entrance in such a way that upper portion permitted ventilation for the birds, but excluded predators. Feeders, drinkers and other equipment were cleaned and disinfected before use. Experimental birds and diets: One hundred twenty, one-day-old chicks hatched by broody hens were allocated to four treatment groups having 30 birds in each group. The control group was in their night shelter but allowed going outside during the daytime for scavenging. Each replicate group of 10 birds in this group was marked with different colours (red, green and yellow) for identification. Repeated colouring of these birds was needed. The chicks of the traditional feeding group ate insects, larvae, kitchen waste, plant leaves, fallen grain, etc. freely without supplementation of improved feeds. Chicks of other three groups, each with three replicates were housed continuously and given improved feed. In order to allow choice feeding, the birds belonging to the second group were provided with three feeders to supply broken grains (maize, wheat and rice) in one feeder, crushed rice polish, soybean meal, mustard oilcake in the second feeder and micro-ingredients such as common salt, bone meal and vitamin-mineral mixture in the third feeder. The feeds were placed in each feeder side by side in such a way that the birds could select. The third group of chicks were fed different ingredients in mash form, but the formulation was made on rule of thumb basis. The fourth group was fed a diet formulated so that the nutrient concentration met or exceeded the requirements for layer-starter mash according to the International Nutrition Standards for Poultry (Blair et a/., 1983). In preparing diets, all ingredients were hand-mixed thoroughly according to the rural farmers' normal practice. Antibiotics, growth promoters, enzymes were not mixed in any feeds. Raw materials were procured from local feed market and examined by naked eye for colour and texture and feeds with bad odour were excluded. During the first week of age, feed was supplied on newspaper to chicks receiving the improved feed, and water in small round tin pots was on free access. They are switched over to small tray feeders and plastic drinkers after one week. For the control group, drinkers were kept outside the house during the daytime, although they had access to water from other sources at the time of scavenging. Brooding: All chicks were brooded by their mother hens for the first three weeks only. The scavenging chicks were allowed to go outside the house with their mothers during that time. All mother hens were removed at the end of three weeks to make the chicks self-reliant. Statistical analysis of data: The data generated from the trial were subjected to ANOVA in accordance with the principles of a completely randomized design (Steel and Torrie, 1980). The least significant differences (LSD) were calculated for variables, which showed significant differences at a probability level of <0.05 or better.

Source of Information: The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2006) 23 (1) : 29-35

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The impetus behind this study was to explore the growth potential of Desi chickens through an improvement in their feed in contrast to the scavenging system. In a number of previous studies, performance improved when feed was supplemented (Huque et al., 1992; Sazzad, 1992) suggesting that scavenging chickens are poor producers because of inadequate nutrients (Ulcil, 1992; Mwalusanya et al., 2002; Biswas et al., 2005). The current study supports these earlier findings. Of course, the comparison in the present study differed from that in earlier studies. Nevertheless, the results from this work clearly indicate that better growth performance may be achieved if the diets of Desi birds are improved. The results also imply that chickens reared under the traditional scavenging system do not receive enough feed to support their potential growth.

Knowledge Management: Journal