Economic suitability of three fast growing Broiler strains reared under farming condition in

Abstract

The performance and profitability of three commercial broiler strains reared under intensive farming system were investigated in this study at three different farms in Sariakandi Upazilla from 1st February to 7 march. Day-old broiler chicks (n=156) of three different commercial strains (Arbor acres, Cobb-500, and Lohman) were assigned to three treatment groups in a completely randomized block design. Each treatment replicated four times, 13 birds per replicate. The birds were reared from d1 to 35 days of age with similer housing, feeding and environmental management condition. Regarding to all parameters collected, live weight and body weight gain were higher in T2 ( Cobb-500) group, while the birds of T3( Lohmann) group were the lowest. Birds of T2 ( Cobb-500) group consumed higher feeds, while the birds of other two groups had the lowest feed intake. Cobb-500 broiler strain achieved superior FCR, while the birds of T3 ( Lohman) strain group had poorer FCR. Livability of the broiler strains was unaffected by all the treatment groups. Higher net profit and lower production cost observed in T2 (Cobb-500) group than compared to other two strains, although the difference between the treatment groups was similar. The highly significant measurements of live body weight, weight gain and better FCR values were recorded for Cobb-500 broiler strain, followed by Arbor acres and Lohmann, respectively. In conclusion Cobb-500 broiler strain is appeared to be the most economic to rear amongst the three broiler strains investigated here in response to their performance records.