Effect of stocking density in battery system of housing on the performance of broilers
G.A. BHAT, M.T. BANDAY AND A.A. KHAN
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry
Division of Livestock Production & Management
Shuhama Alusteng Srinagar Kashmir
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A study was conducted on 180 broiler birds during summer season to assess the effects of three stocking densities in battery system of housing from 2 nd to 6 th week of age on feed consumption, weight gain and mortality. Three batteries with three-deck system (each deck of 5’x2 1/2’dimensions) were used for this experiment. In battery Ist, IInd and IIIrd, 15, 20 and 25 chicks were housed/deck respectively from day Ist but data was recorded from 8 th to 42 nd day of age. Feeding and watering was adlib throughout the experimental period. No adverse effect of increasing density from 15 birds to 20 birds per deck was observed on the performance of broilers with respect to weight gain, feed consumption, FCR and mortality. When the density was increased from 15 birds to 25-birds/deck adverse effects on weight gain and FCR was observed, but feed consumption and mortality remained un-affected. It could be concluded that broilers could be raised in battery system of housing with stocking density of 20-birds/deck up to six weeks of age without any adverse effect on their performance during summer season. |