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Effects of Chick Separation and Feeding on the Performance of Hens and Chicks

M. J. R. Amin
Livestock Training Institute, Department of Livestock Service, Gaibandha, Bangladesh

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

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

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was conducted to observe the effect of separating chicks from broody hens after hatching, and supplementary feeding, on the performance of broody hens and chicks. Eighteen broody hens incubated 360 eggs of native hens. Broody hens and chicks were divided into three treatment groups; in T₁, chicks were not separated, and chicks scavenged with mothers; in T₂, chicks were separated at five days and fed ad libitum; and in T₃, chicks were separated at 10 days and fed ad libitum. Hens in T₂ and T₃ received 50g feed/hen/day. The interval between end of incubation and first lay was shorter in T₂ (36.3 days) and T₃(41.7) than in T₁ (55.2). Clutch length was shortest in T₁ (12.7 days), medium in T₃ (15.0) and longest in T₂(17.0). There were more eggs/clutch in T₂ (14.7) and T₃(14.3) than in T₁ (11.5). There were no differences in broody hen’s body weight between treatment groups. Mortality of chicks was highest in T₂ (39.6%), medium in T₃ (33.9), and lowest in T₁ (21.0). Body weight of chicks was highest in T₂, medium in T₃ and lowest in T₁, except at 1st week of age. It is suggested that separation of chicks and supplementary feeding was beneficial in terms of interval between end of incubation and first lay, clutch length, number of eggs per clutch and body weight of chicks.

Keywords: Chick, Broody hens, Supplementary feeding on the performance

Location: Pakkhiya village of Patuakhali district

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Chicken

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of separating chicks and feeding on egg production and body weight of broody hens and on the performance of chicks.

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out at Pakkhiya village of Patuakhali district for four months. Hatching eggs of native hens were collected from local farmers and hatched using 18 broody hens. Each hen incubated 20 eggs. After hatching of chicks, broody hens and chicks were divided into three groups: in T₁ chicks were not separated; in T₂, chicks were separated from hens at five days old and fed ad libitum; and in T₃ chicks were separated at 10 days old and fed ad libitum. During incubation every hen was provided with a commercial layer ration “Quality feed” (Quality Feeds Limited, House 14, Road 7, Sector 4, Uttara, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh) @ 50g per day After hatching of chicks, hens in groups T₂ and T₃ were supplied Quality feed (Quality Feeds Limited, House 14, Road 7, Sector 4, Uttara, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh) @ 50g per hen per day. Diet for hens contained 89% dry matter (DM), 2740 Kcal metabolisable energy (ME), 18% crude protein (CP), 5% ether extract (EE), 3% crude fibre (CF), 1% Lysine, 0.5% Methionine, 3.7% calcium and 0.5% available phosphorus (AP). Chicks' diet contained 89% DM, 2950Kcal ME, 19% CP, 5.3% EE, 3% CF, 0.5% Lysine, 0.4% Methionine, 1.2% calcium and 0.45% AP. Nutritive values were obtained from the manufacturer. The following parameters were recorded: 1) Broody hen’s body weight, 2) Interval between end of incubation and first lay, 3) Clutch length, 4) Number of eggs per clutch, 5) Chick’s body weight and 6) Chick’s mortality. All recorded and calculated data were used for a Completely Randomized Design. Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test was performed to isolate the significant differences between treatment means.

Source of Information: The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2009) 26(1) : 13 – 16

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is concluded that separating the chicks at 5 and 10 days old from the hens and feeding balanced ration led to a shorter interval between end of incubation and first lay, longer clutch length and more eggs per clutch, and resulted in better performance.

Knowledge Management: Journal