Modeling Growth Response of Broiler Chicken to Feed Consumption Using Linear Data Based Model Structure

Data on body weight and feed intake were obtained from broiler chickens raised at the University of Benin Farm Project to model growth response of broilers to feed consumption using a linear data based model structure. The birds were given four treatments based on the frequency of change of four commercial feed brands (A, B, C and D). In treatment 1, only feed A was given. Treatment 2 consist of changing all feed brands weekly, changing at interval of every 4 days (treatment 3) and at an interval of every 2 days (treatment 4). Highest growth response was observed in week 7 for combined feeds and week 8 for sole feeding. Peak feed efficiency was also observed a week lower than this ages resulting to predicted body weight of 1874.46g, 1984.54g 2148.55g and 2502.05g for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Estimated mean relative prediction error (MRPE) were 4.90%, 8.05%, 5.42% and 6.99% were obtained for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Feed efficiency and cumulative feed consumption showed similar trend over time with peak feed efficiency at week 7 and drastic change in feed consumption starting at week 3. The results of this study indicated similar trend in response thus implying that the growth trajectories for the treatments are nearly the same.