Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of broiler chickens fed different physical forms of commercial starter diets

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of broiler chicken fed three different commercial diets tagged A, B and C feed at starter phase. Two-hundred-day-old broilers were used for the experiment. They were allotted to the three diets in three replicates in a Completely Randomized Designed. Feed and water were supplied ad-libitum throughout the research period. Among the performance parameters studied were daily weight gain (DWG), Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed use efficiency (FE) were significantly affected. Their values ranged from 48.66-56.01, 1.73-2.03, 0.49 0.58, respectively. However, weight at four (4) weeks and mortality were significantly influenced (P<0.01). Similarly, Daily Feed Intake (DFI) and Initial Weight was not influenced by the feed forms. T1 and T2 diets demonstrated superior growth performance and economic efficiency, with T1 (Marsh) proving to be the most cost-effective. Overall, the results highlight that the choice of feed form should be guided not only by growth outcomes but also by economic viability, particularly in low-resource production systems. It was concluded from the finding of the research that feed form has significant effect on the productive performance of broiler chicken at starter phase.