Determination of the Optimal Four Phase Feeding Regime in a Fifty-Six Day Broiler Production Period

Abstract

This study determined the variants of the four-phase feeding regime with the optimal performance and net income of broilers in a fifty-six day production period. Ninety-six, unsexed day-old Arbor Acer broiler chicks were distributed to groups of 24 birds each. Experimental broiler pre starter, starter, grower and finisher diets were formulated, produced and assigned to the four groups randomly in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment as follows: T₁(control) Starter, 0 – 28 days and finisher diet from 29 – 56 days, T₂ (pre starter 0 – 6 days, starter 7 – 14 days, grower 15 – 28 days 29 – 56 days), T₃ ( pre-starter 0 –7 days starter 8 – 13 days, grower 14 – 42 days and finisher 43 –to 56 days) and T₄ (pre-starter 0 – 7 days, starter 8 - 21 days, growers 22-35 days and finisher 36–56 days). Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Results indicated that birds on the four-phase feeding regimes (T₂, T₃,and T₄) produced significantly (p<0.05) higher final body weights and body weight gains, better feed conversion ratio and lower feed cost per kg body weight gain than those in the dual- phase [control (T₁)] feeding regime. Birds on T₃ produced the best values in most of the parameters measured. It is recommended that the four-phase feeding regime particularly T₃ (pre-starter 0 –7 days, starter 8 – 13 days, grower 14 – 42 days and finisher 43 – 56 days) be adopted for optimal broiler performance and net income.