Comparison of Recommended Performance of Marshal R Commercial Broilers andField Performance Results

Abstract

One hundred and twenty (120) broiler chicks were used in a field experiment tocompare farm performance with the recommended performance results of Marshal R commercial broilers. Sixty (60) of chicks were sourced from local hatchery in Owerri on the morning of their hatch (Group 1), while another 60 chicks also were sourced from Ibadan, about 600 Km from Owerri (Group 2). Each group was divided into 4 sub-groups of 15 chicks each and replicated thrice, with 5 chicks per replicate, in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Feed and water were given to the control A1(Group 1) on the day of hatch, while the control A2 (Group 2) were fed 36 hours post hatch on arrival. Other sub groups B, C and D of the two groups were started on feed and water at 48, 72 and 96 hours post-hatch respectively. The recommended performances of Marshal R broiler chicks were compared with the experimentally observed ones. Feed consumption and weight gain were measured across the controls of the groups and comparisons were made and percentage differences calculated. The performance of Marshal R broiler chicks was compromised at an average level of 34.5% less feed intake and 20.8% less than the recommended weight gain in the first six weeks of life.Thus, feed intake and weight gain values of Marshal R broiler chicks under normal feeding and management conditions in a typical small-scale poultry farm in southeast Nigeria were far less than the recommendedvalues.