Comparison of Broiler Chicken Performance on Different Phase Feeding Programs

Literature reveals that different feeding regimes affect performance of broiler chickens. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of different phase feeding programs on performance of Cobb broiler chickens (n = 90) using commercial broiler diet fed ad libitum under similar conditions for 36 days under a positivist research design. Treatment 1 (T1), was the control group under two phase compared to three (T2) and four phase (T3) feeding programs. Treatments were replicated three times. Growth rates, carcass weight and feed conversion ratio were measured.  Results of the study showed that broiler chickens under T1 were significantly lighter (p<0.05) at 1789g than T3 (1871g) at day 36. Carcass weights and weights of internal organs were significantly different amongst the feeding phases, with superior weights noted on T3 feeding program. Broilers on T3 had significantly (p<0.01) heavier feet weights than those on T1 and T2. T2 had the least feed conversion ratio of 1.34 compared to T2 (1.32) and T3 (1.28). We recommended that small scale broiler farmers should adopt four phase feeding program to achieve superior growth rates, carcass weight and higher feed conversion ratios. 

Literature reveals that different feeding regimes affect performance of broiler chickens. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of different phase feeding programs on performance of Cobb broiler chickens (n = 90) using commercial broiler diet fed ad libitum under similar conditions for 36 days under a positivist research design. Treatment 1 (T1), was the control group under two phase compared to three (T2) and four phase (T3) feeding programs. Treatments were replicated three times. Growth rates, carcass weight and feed conversion ratio were measured.  Results of the study showed that broiler chickens under T1 were significantly lighter (p<0.05) at 1789g than T3 (1871g) at day 36. Carcass weights and weights of internal organs were significantly different amongst the feeding phases, with superior weights noted on T3 feeding program. Broilers on T3 had significantly (p<0.01) heavier feet weights than those on T1 and T2. T2 had the least feed conversion ratio of 1.34 compared to T2 (1.32) and T3 (1.28). We recommended that small scale broiler farmers should adopt four phase feeding program to achieve superior growth rates, carcass weight and higher feed conversion ratios.