Effect of different housing system and stocking density on growth performance of broilers

Effect of housing systems and stocking density on the body weight gain and cumulative feed consumption of broilers were studied to know growth performance of birds. The birds were reared on deep litter, wire net and wooden slat type of housing system with 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 sq.ft. area/bird. The housing system showed non significant effect on body weight gain of broilers. Whereas, density showed the significant difference, at 0.8 sq.ft. area/bird the weight gain was higher than 1.0 and 1.2 sq.ft. area/bird in deep litter, wire net and wooden slat system. Similarly the cumulative feed consumption showed significant difference in housing system as well as at different densities. In deep litter system cumulative feed consumption were higher at 0.8 sq.ft. area/bird than 1.0 and 1.2 sq.ft. area/bird. Thus it revealed that 0.8 sq.ft. area/bird do not have any deletorious effect on body weight gain and feed consumption of broilers.