Performance of Broilers fed On-Farm versus Commercial Feeds

Authors

  • M. Afolayan Faculty of Agriculture, Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria
  • I. I. Dafwang Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • J. J. Omage Ahamadu Bello Universit, Zaria, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v36i1.1040

Keywords:

On-farm feed, Commercial feed, Pelleted feed

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Animal Science Departmental farm to compare the growth performance of broiler chickens reared on three on-form feeds and three commercial feeds. Broilers were fed the six types of feed during the starter phase between 0-5 weeks of age and during the finisher phase between 5-9weeks. Results showed that although one of the commercial feeds outperformed all other feeds in terms of weight gain and feed efficiency; the overall growth performance on on-farm feeds were comparable to those on commercial feeds even where one of the on-farm feeds contained sub-optimal levels of energy Ilowever, feed cost / kg weight gain was significantly lower for on-farm feeds. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the on furm diets (T1-T3) and the commercial diets (T4 -T6) in term of feed cost per kg gain. The on farm feeds were relatively cheaper than the commercial feeds. It is concluded from this study that the widespread use of on-farm feeds hy poultry farmers can be justified on the basis of cost effectiveness and profitability considerutions. However the risks associated with this practice should be a matter of concern to all poultry farmers, research and extension personnel. It is therefore recommended that feed quality regulatory agencies should as a matter of urgency find ways by which some nieasure of quality control can be applied to on-farm feeds

Author Biographies

M. Afolayan, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria

Department of Animal Science

I. I. Dafwang, Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

National Agricultural Extension and Rural Liaison Services

J. J. Omage, Ahamadu Bello Universit, Zaria, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Science

Downloads

Published

2021-01-01

How to Cite

Afolayan, M., Dafwang, I. I., & Omage, J. J. (2021). Performance of Broilers fed On-Farm versus Commercial Feeds . Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 36(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v36i1.1040

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>