Authors : Babar D. K. , M. I. Rind , R. Rind , A. A. Golangi and M. Rind
Abstract: Birds naturally have flying habit and using perches over 24 hours, to fell more safe and also to provide more space at floor for others while using perches. 106 day old chicks were purchased and randomly divided in two groups i.e. Group A (50) and b (56). Chicks housed by providing similar broding rearing and growing managements at poultry Experiment Station, Department of Poultry Husbandry, Tandojam, Starter and finisher feeds (both iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric) and water were offeed ad libitum and light was provided over 24 hours for 42 days of experimental period for production and behaviour studies. Results shows that both average total feed and water intakes were higher for B than A group (3.322 and 3.255 kg b-1 and 6.694 and 6.570 litre b-1, respectively) and also their Interaction between groups and weeks were also significant P<0.001). Both average live body weight and weight gain were slightly more for B than A (1.836 vs. 1.827 and 1.791 vs. 1.782 kg b-1), respectively. The mortality was least in group B than A (5.4 vs. 8.0 percent). Profit for use of perches (B) was Rs. 81.6 and Rs. 0.0 for without perch group (A). Both average feeding and drinking behaviours were higher in group A than B (422.1 vs. 217.1 and 117.4 vs. 74.8 min 24 hrs-1b-1, respectively) and its interactions between groups and weeks were also found significantly (P<0.01). Chicks of group B begin using perches from its first week and increased in its using length in 24 hours upto third week but later significantly decreased each week, (13.1 min 24 hrs-1 b-1) against no perch used in A. It concludes that broiler has begin using perches from first to sixth weeks of age and perches become economical and profitable.
Babar D. K. , M. I. Rind , R. Rind , A. A. Golangi and M. Rind , 2003. Comparative Study of with or without Perches on the Production and Behaviour of Broiler . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 2: 545-547.