Effect of litter type and stocking density on the performance of broilers

Two hundred and forty day-old, broiler chicks were reared on fresh and dry wheat straw (T1 and T2) and paddy straw (T3 and T4) litters. Birds were kept at a stocking density of 0.15 sq m/bird in T1 and T3 and stocking density of 0.18 sq m/bird in T2 and T4 by using pens of 2.25 sq m and 2.7 sq m, size, respectively. Better feed conversion ratio (1.89) was observed in birds reared at 0.18 sq m/bird suggesting more economic returns. The various carcass characteristics were not influenced by litter type or stocking density. The net profit per kilogram body weight was lowest (Rs. 1.83) in T1 (wheat straw litter and stocking density of 0.15 sq m./bird) and highest (Rs. 3.54) for T2 (wheat straw litter and stocking density of 0.18 sq m./bird).