Weekly live body weight and weight gain
The live body weight of broilers from group B was observed significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of group A during first, second, fifth and sixth week of age (Table 3). At the end of first week, live BW of broilers from group B was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of group A, even though the group B is provided with less energy content than that of the group A, this may be due to the higher lysine content of the diet during the first week as compared to the control group. Similar result was observed by the
Kidd et al., (2004); they reported that the average BW of bird’s specifically male bird showed higher body weight when fed with high nutrient density diet (lysine) as compared to the other dietary treatments. The mixing of extra methionine and lysine improved the growth rate because both amino acids were instantly absorbed into the body, requiring no prior digestion unlike when whole proteins are consumed. During the second week of experiment the live BW of broiler from group B was higher than the group A even though the diet is having reduced crude protein and methionine level than the control group A. This shows that the birds during second week of age can perform well even if the crude protein and methionine content is reduced by maintaining the energy and lysine level constant as control group. The live BW of boilers from group A and B at the end of third and fourth week were not significantly different. During fifth week the group B birds have significantly higher (p<0.05) BW than the group A this may be due to the higher crude protein and lysine content of the diet of the group B birds than the control group A. At the end of experimental trial treatment group (B) birds were heavier than the control group (A) birds. Similar results were also found by
Mudhunguyo and Masama (2015);
Mehmood et al., (2014) and
Hauschild et al., (2014).
Weekly feed consumption (FI)
The average FI of broilers from group B was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of group A were observed during second, fifth and sixth week of age and also during the cumulative FI from 0-6 weeks of age (Table 4). After completion of first week feed consumption of group B broiler is numerically higher than that of group A broiler. These results were accordance with
Swennen et al., (2011) who stated that when amino acids in the feed are at optimum levels, chickens will increase FI in an effort to meet their requirements, in another study
Lisnahan et al., (2017) reported that the supplementation of extra methionine and lysine into diets at the starter phase improves the feed intake. At the end of second week FI of broilers of group B was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of group A broiler, the broilers of group B consumed more feed may be because of diet is having less protein content than that of group A broiler, to fulfill their protein need broilers of group B consumed more feed compared to the group A broiler. The weekly average FI after completion of third and fourth week did not show significant difference between the control group (A) and treatment group (B). The weekly FI of group B broiler at the end of fifth week was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of group A, here broilers of group B consumed more feed may be due diet is having less energy content compared to group A. To fulfill the energy need of body, broilers of group B may be consumed more feed than control group (A) broilers. The weekly average FI of treatment group (B) at the end of sixth week was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of control group (A).
The overall feed intake of treatment group (B) broilers was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of control group (A) broilers. The overall increment of cumulative feed consumption was @11.14% in multiple phase feeding group. Similar results were also found by
Mehmood et al., 2014 that the 4-phase feeding program exhibited significantly (p<0.05) highest feed intake as compared to single, two and three phase feeding pattern. Loupe and Emmert, 2000 also reported that over the complete experiment (0 to 6 weeks) birds fed a phase feeding regimen had an increased (p<0.05) feed intake relative to birds fed NRC requirements throughout.
Weekly feed conversion ratio (FCR)
It was observed that the FCR during initial four week of experiment between group A and group B were not significant (Table 5). The FCR of treatment group (B) was significantly better at the end of fifth week and numerically improved at the end of sixth week as compared to the control group A. The overall FCR in the multiple phase feeding group B was found improved @2.79% than the control group A. These results are matches with Mostert (2016) who reported that cumulative feed conversion ratio was improved in birds fed with high protein diet compared to the birds fed low protein diet.
Mudhunguyo and Masama (2015) reported that the better feed conversion ratio was observed under four phase feeding program as compared to two or three phase feeding program.
Mehmood et al., (2014) recorded improved FCR in 4-phase feeding program as compared to single, two and three phase feeding pattern. Similar results were obtained by
Pope et al., (2004). These results might be due to exact nutrient requirement was made available during particular period/age of bird and nutrient was utilized efficiently by the birds.
Weekly mortality
The overall mortality in broilers during the experimental period was 1.87% (Table 6), which occurred in both treatment groups. The percentage mortality of control group (A) broilers was 1.25% and percentage mortality of treatment group (B) broilers was 2.5%. There is no such critical difference between the percentage mortality of control group (A) and treatment group B broilers. The overall mortality
i.e. 1.87% which was within the acceptable limit. The multiple phase feeding has not put any negative effect on percentage mortality in broilers.
Economics
The net profit per bird for the control group (A) and treatment group (B) were Rs. 26.51 and 40.34, respectively. And the net profit per kg of body weight was Rs.13.59 and 18.25, respectively. It was seen that the broilers fed with the multiple phase feeding shown the higher net profit per bird and also per kg of body weight as compared to the broilers fed on control diet. This is because of the broilers fed with the multiple phase feeding attained higher overall body weight as compared to the broilers fed on control diet. It was concluded that multiple phase feeding was useful in earning maximum profit per bird because of higher live weight.