M. A. H. Pramanik
Department of Livestock Services, Bangladesh
S. D. Chowdhury
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
B. C. Roy
M. M. Agah Ltd., Chattagram, Bangladesh
M.T. Khatun
Department of Livestock Services, Bangladesh
S. Biswas
Department of Livestock Services, Bangladesh
Body weight, Maturity, Fertility, Hatchability, Parent stock, Broiler
Bangladesh Agricultural University poultry farm
Animal Health and Management
Statement of the problem: The research work was conducted within the facilities of the project entitled “Comparative study of the performance of different strains of poultry under Bangladesh conditions” at Bangladesh Agricultural University poultry farm. Before starting the experiment the birds were divided into three groups depending on achieved body weight at 22 weeks of age, which were previously grown from day-old. These three groups were overweight, standard weight and underweight. Here standard weight groups were considered according to the breeders information available in the breeder manual. Here birds those achieved target body weight and also within ±10% of the target body weight was considered as standard. Those weighed more than 10% and less than 10% were considered as overweight and underweight respectively. Fertility and hatchability traits and day-old chicks' weight after hatching were observed for each group separately.
House preparation First of all, house was selected for carrying out experiments. The houses were made clean and washed with tap water top to bottom and each and every corner and then disinfected with disinfectant, phenyl and subsequently dried well. After drying small pens were prepared with wire netting having 305 cm (10 ft) length and 183 cm (6 ft) width for each. Each pen was suitable for housing 14 chickens (i.e. 12 females and 2 males). At the later stage of preparation of the houses the litter materials (Sawdust) were spread on the floor as bedding material at 4-5 cm depth for birds? comfort ability. Then birds were placed in the individual pens.
Source and type of birds The original source of the birds was the reputed hatcheries in the Thailand. The birds were procured from the above mention hatcheries through their respective representatives in Bangladesh. Type of birds The experiment was carried out with broiler parent stock of two different strains and marked as the strain-1 and strin-2. Preparation and placement of nests (egg laying box) Low cost wood materials were used to prepare the nest. The nests were prepared in such a dimension that the hens got adequate space inside. The dimension of the nests i.e. height, width and length was 45 cm × 45 cm × 45 cm. the nests were placed at a corner of the each pen so that the birds did not feel any disturb at the time of laying.
Lay-out of the experiment There were three treatment and each treatments had tree replications. Each replication contained 12 hens and 2 males. The treatments were considered as over-weight, standard weight and under-weight group. For each strain similar treatment and replication were arranged. For both the strains similar number birds were managed the numbers of birds were 126 for each strain. Introduction of birds in the pen Previously grown (day-old to 22 weeks of age) chickens were weighed and introduced in the pen according to the layout of the experiment depending on body weight. For each treatment and replication birds were considered randomly. Efforts were made to maintain uniformity for each replication on each treatment in relation to body weight.
Feeding management Three kinds of feed were fed to the experimental birds. These diets were pre-breeder diet, Breeder diet-I and Breeder die-II for female birds. For male birds, breeder diet males were supplied. The feeds were procured from the Aftab Feed Mill of Aftab Bahumukhi Farm Ltd., Bhagolpur, Bajitpur, Kisorgonj. Pre-breeder, Breeder diet –I, Breeder diet-II and Breeder diet male were used depending on the production status of the broiler breeder birds following breeder's manuals. Forms and composition of feeds The feeds which were supplied to the experimental birds were pellets. The ingredients composition and nutrients composition of different diets used for breeder are given below.
Watering procedure Normally water was supplied to the birds three times a day to full fill their requirements. When the weather becomes hot, the excess amount of water was provided specially when the temperature exceeded 250C. Clean, cool and fresh tube-well water was always provided to the birds. The multivitamin powder also provided with the drinking water. For all birds (both males and females) situated in a pen, only a round waterer made of plastic materials was used. Litter management A mixture of sawdust and sand were used for litter. At the initial stage of experiment each pen was prepared for chickens providing sawdust at 4-5 cm in depth. Later both the sawdust and sand was added to all pens, when required. When the new litter was added with the remaining, the damp portion of litter including droppings materials removed, and disposed first and then the new litter was added to increase the depth of the litter. Due to removal of damp litter and addition of new ones birds were comfortable, moisture content of litter was reduced and soiled eggs also reduced.
International Journal of Applied Research, 6 (2): 16-25.
Journal