Abstract:
The growth performance of Paraoakan strain of native chickens given ube processing by-product meal (UPBM), golden kuhol meal (GKM) and takip-kuhol meal (TkM) were evaluated. A total number of 40 (14 days old) Paraoakan strain of native chickens were randomly distributed into two treatments using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatments were: T1-75% UPBM + 25% GKM and T2-73.5% UPBM + 24.5 GKM + 2% TkM. Each treatment were replicated four times with five birds per replicate for a total of 20 birds per treatment.
In the 56 days feeding trial, the birds were able to gain weight with a mean of 109.8g from a mean initial weight of 90.2g to a mean final weight of 200g. In addition, each bird had an average daily gain (ADG) of 2.0g with a mean feed intake of 793.9g feeds resulting to a mean feed conversion ratio of 7.33. This also resulted to a mean feed cost to produce a kilogram weight gain of ₱73.31. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between gains in weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio on both treatments.
As to the feed cost to produce a kilogram gain in weight, UPBM + GKM + TkM had a lower feed cost of ₱72.07 than UPBM + GKM with feed cost of ₱74.54, with a difference of ₱2.47. Body size parameters such as body length, heart girth and shank length were also found to be comparable on both treatments even if it is not subjected to statistical analysis.
Based on the findings of the study, giving UPBM + GKM ad libitum to native chickens resulted in the same growth performance as the native chickens given UPBM + GKM + TkM. Further, the low feed intake of the birds in the study have resulted to their poor growth performance and feed efficiency despite of giving the ration ad libitum.
