Comparative investigations of the feed and nutrient consumption, growth, a nutrient efficiency of broiler chickens under different climatic conditions in Nigeria.
Feed intake, growth and blood parameters were studied over 3 years, in 2,300 chickens started either during the cool, dry season or the hot, dry season. From day old to 4 weeks, fed was more efficiently used for growth during the hot, dry season than for the cool, dry season. Using Haemoglobin and Haematocrit as criteria, and on supplementing a practical type ration with copper and iron, it was observed that climatic stress, as distinct from mineral deficiency, plays an important role in the brooding of exotic chickens in the tropics. The importance of this in relation to housing and timing of brooding the chickens by commercial producers was highlighted.
Ogunmodede
B K
BK
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Ibadan, Department of Animal Science, Nigeria.
Legel
S
S
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D002980:Climate; D009549:Nigeria; D009753:Nutritive Value