Chopped hedge mustard (Sisymbrium afficinalis) residues as litter material for broiler chicken under heat stress condition

The performance of broiler chicken on four litter materials consisting of chopped Khakshir residues (KH), wood shavings (WS), a mix of 33% Khakshir and 67% a mix of garden hay residues with fine particle size (KH+PR) and a mix of 50% Khakshir hay with 50% wood shavings (KH+WS), were studied. Type of litter had no significant effect on average daily gain, carcass weight, carcass yield, mortality and efficiency of production (P>0.05). The mean feed intake and feed conversion efficiency during 1-14d were significantly better for birds reared on KH litter (P<0.05). The mean litter moisture at 28d, pH at 1 and 28d, objectively assigned dustiness score at 14 and 28d and nitrogen content at 56d significantly influenced by type of litter (P<0.05). The surface temperature significantly differed for various litters at 1 and 28d. Temperature at 30–40 mm of depth was only significantly influenced by type of litter at 42d (P<0.05). At the same ambient temperature (at 150–200 mm above floor), the KH and KH contained litters was found consistently cooler than WS litter at all ages. It may be concluded that, chopped Khakshir residues alone or in combination with fine-particle sized plant residues or wood shavings, could serve as a potential source of litter for broilers in extreme ambient temperatures.