Influence of Feed Trough Colour on the Performance of Starter and Finisher Broiler Chickens

Abstract

A 56-day research exercise was conducted to discover which feed trough colour will induce higher feed intake in broiler starter and finisher for better performance. Usual feed-trough colour (galvanized with zinc) as control, red, white, yellow and green colours were used to coat the feed troughs deployed. Four hundred and fifty day old Zatech breed broilers of mixed sexes were divided into five groups and assigned to the five differently coloured feed troughs in a Completely Randomised Design of experiment (CRD). Each group was further divided into three replicates of thirty birds each. The parameters used for evaluation were: initial weight, final weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed cost, cost of production of broiler, cost of chicken per kilogram, profit after sale and mortality. Statistical tool used on data collected was analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results at zero to two weeks of age post hatching indicated no significant difference among the groups in all parameters. Significant difference was observed in all parameters between the white group on white feed-trough and rest on the other coloured feed-troughs, at two weeks of age post hatching. It was therefore recommended that white coloured feed troughs be applied as feeders for broiler starter at two weeks to eight weeks of age for better performance and profit.