The European performance indicators of broiler chickens as influenced by stocking density and sex
Department of Biotechnology in Zootechny, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, The University of Prishtina, “Bill Clinton” Boulevard, nn, XK10000, Prishtinë, Republic of Kosovo.
*Corresponding author: E-mail: muhamet.kamberi@uni-pr.edu
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different stocking densities on the growth performance of Ross 308 broiler chickens up to six weeks of age. A total of 216 one-day broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatment groups based on the stocking density: Low (LSD) = 14 chickens m-2, Medium (MSD) = 18 chickens per m2 and High (HSD) = 22 chickens m-2, with four replications. Higher body weight gain (TWG) was observed for the low (2,043.89 g) and medium (2,008.03 g) compared to the high (1,901.51 g) density. The study revealed that chickens of the LSD treatment consumed significantly (P < 0.01) more feed compared to the HSD chickens. High stocking density (22 m-2) tended to improve feed conversion ratio compared to medium (18 m-2) and low (14 m-2) stocking density, but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). From the results of this study it can be concluded that broiler chicks can be stocked up to 22 chickens m2, as far as required standards are assured.
Key words:
broiler chickens, feed intake, growth, Sex, stocking density