2001•Animal Nutrition and Feed TechnologyRequires access
Performance of Growing Chicks on Non-Cereal Rations
H.V. Dharne, Manisha Mathur, Ramjee Gupta, Neera Arora
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Abstract
Three dietary treatments including one control (D1) and two non-cereal diets (D2 and D3) were evaluated in White Leg Horn chicks from 9 to 20 weeks of age. All diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric except for D2 (low energy). The consumption of non-cereal feed with low energy (D2) was significantly more (P < 0.05) than chicks fed D1 (6722.59 vs 6508.74 g). There were no significant differences in gain in body weight and feed efficiency. The albumen index and haugh unit were significantly low (P < 0.05) in D2. The low energy diet was cheaper by Rs. 5.89/kg gain than D1. Results indicated that low energy non-cereal diet (CP 16%, ME 2300 Kcal/kg) had no adverse effect on the growth or sexual maturity of the growing female chicks between 9–20 weeks, hence can be used safely at farmer's level.