Evaluation of differences in feed utilization for exotic and local chickens in Tanzania
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Date
2011
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The study was carried out to compare the growth and food utilization attributes of
broiler and local chickens. Two experimental diets were formulated to provide a low
and high plane of nutrition based on the crude protein and metabolizable energy
contents of the diets. Birds were weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment.
Feeds given and refused were weighed daily to determine the feed intake (FI).
recorded on individual-bird basis. Feeds were given in amounts that would allow for
at least 15% refusal per bird per day. Daily dry matter intake (DDMI) was calculated
as the difference between food offered and food refused, and the cumulative dry
matter intake (CDMI) was calculated at the end of the experiment. Samples of the
diets were taken and bulked daily for both dry matter and nitrogen content
determination. A parallel set of adult birds (X broiler and Y Local) were used for
digestibility studies, during which birds were placed in individual battery cages. The
results showed that there were significant differences (P > 0.05) between the broiler
and the local chickens in Weight gain (466.6*33.2 vs. 138.1*33.23); Daily rate of
gain (35.9*25.0 vs. 10.6*25.1); Daily DMI (118.4*1.8 vs. 47.6*1.81) and Feed-
Efficiency (30.3*1.01 vs. 22.3*1.1). HE-HP diet produced birds with higher weights.
than LE-LP. Birds on HE-HP consumed significantly more protein and nitrogen than
those on LE-LP and CP digestibility was higher for birds on HE-HP. Birds on LE-LP
had a higher N retention ratio than those on HE-HP. It was concluded that
commercial broilers were better performers under both feeding regimes. Where good
quality feed is not a constraint, keeping the commercial strain appears to be a better
option than raising local chickens.
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Keywords
Feed utilization, Exotic and local chickens, Tanzania