Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers Fed Selected Energy Source Feeds

A total of 132 one day old mixed sex birds of Hubbard Classic broiler breeds were used. Specifically, 33 per a treatment and 11 birds per a replicate was also the arrangement of experimental birds for this trial. All experimental pens are opened sided and bedded with Teff straw. Based on the analyzed nutrient compositions of the ingredients, four broiler starters, grower/finisher-I and finisher-II diets were prepared as experimental treatments. Average feed intake was daily but weight gain was recorded weekly for every experimental pens. To evaluate the performances, 4 from each treatment with a total of 16 birds were randomly selected, weighed, slaughtered and properly dressed. Average feed intake and body weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) different for finisher I and II but no significant (p>0.05) difference was shown for feed intake to body wait ratio (FCR) of all phases of the experiments. Average live weight, the thigh and breast weights were significantly (p<0.05) different for treatment group that containing wheat grains. However, eviscerated weights and percentage of the carcass were significantly (p<0.05) different for treatment group that containing maize grains.