Effects of time of change from broiler starter to broiler finisher diet on the performance of meat-type chicken

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the effect of time of change from broiler starter ration (BSR) to broiler finisher ration (BFR) on growth performance and economy of gain of meat- type chickens. Six hundred Abor Acres broiler chickens were used in an 8-week study in which same starter and finisher diets were fed but at different times. There were four treatments, indicating the time of change from broiler starter to boiler finisher rations. The starter and finisher diets had the same energy levels (12.0 MJkg-1) but different crude protein content; 23 per cent and 21 per cent for starter and finisher diets, respectively. The experimental birds had free access to feed and water throughout the period of study. There were no significant difference (P 0.05) by the time of changing the feed.  Economic analysis revealed that T2 was the most economic, having a value of GH¢ 7.59 with the others having values of GH¢7.98; GH¢8.16 and GH¢ 7.92 for T1, T3 and T4, respectively. The result from the study suggests that the optimum time for changing BSR to BFR is 3 weeks, as this tended to give the best growth performance and had a reduced economy of gain. Original scientific paper. Received 21 Jun 13; revised 02 Jul 15.