Growth Performance of Colored Broilers Given Ration with Rice bean (Vigna umbellata) during the Finishing Period

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the effect of rice bean on the growth performance of colored broilers during the finishing period. It was conducted at the Benguet State University Poultry experimental farm at Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet from December 2014 to February 2015. A total of 120 (36 days old) colored broilers were used in the experiment. Following the Completely Randomized Design (CRD), the birds were distributed into three treatments. Each treatment was replicated four times with ten birds per replicate. The different treatments were as follows: broiler finisher ration (T0); ration with 15% rice bean (T1); ration with 30% rice bean (T2). Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in the initial weight of birds taken at 36 days of age among treatments. This indicates that the experimental units were homogenous. The average weight of the birds was 0.575 kg. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences in the final weight, total and daily gain in weight, total and daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. The highest final weight, daily gain in weight, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of 1.35, 0.073, 0.099, and 2.70, respectively were attained from colored birds given broiler finisher ration. Feed cost to produce a kilogram gain of birds in broiler finisher ration, 15% rice bean ration and 30% rice bean ration were Php 77.60, Php 247.68 and Php 221.51, respectively. Based on the result of the study, colored broilers fed with broiler finisher ration have the best overall growth performance compared to broilers given ration with 15% and 30% rice bean ration. From the result, rice bean ration is not recommended as feedstuff for colored broilers at the inclusion rates of 15% and 30%.