Abstract:
The study was conducted to determine the growth performance of colored broilers given different levels of Oriental Herbal Nutrients (OHN). It was conducted at the BSU Poultry Project, Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet from January to March 2015. A total of 160 day-old chicks were distributed to four treatments following the Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatments were T0-Control with vitamin mineral antibiotic premix (VMAP); T1-15ml of OHN per liter of water; T2-30ml OHN per liter of water and T3-45ml of OHN per liter of water.
The result of the study shows that there were no significant differences among the treatments in the initial weight, weight at 30 days, total feed consumption, average daily feed consumption and total water consumption of the colored broilers. Highly significant differences were obtained in the final weight and total gain in weight of the birds. The average initial weight of the colored broilers was 0.046g, weight at 30 days old was 0.664g, total feed consumption was 4.77kg, average daily feed consumption was 0.086kg and the total water consumption was 8.163 liters. Significant differences among treatments were obtained in the average daily gain in weight, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kilogram of broilers produce a kilogram of weight (Php). The birds given 15 ml OHN had the highest mean final weight of 2.115 kg, mean total gain in weight of 2.069 kg, mean average daily gain in weight of 0.037 kg and mean total water consumption of 1.456 liters.
In terms of feed cost to produce a kilogram gain, lowest costs was computed from the birds given 15ml OHN with Php 62.82. This was followed by those given VMAP with Php 64.48. On the other hand, those given 45ml and 30ml OHN registered the highest amount of Php 65.89 and Php 65.93 respectively.
Based on the prevailing prices of raw materials and labor cost during the conduct of the study, OHN costs Php183.20 per liter. Based on the average water intake of the birds, cost of OHN incurred from birds given 15ml, 30ml and 45ml OHN was Php22.41, Php44.90, and Php67.14 per bird, respectively.
Based on the result of the study, it is therefore recommended that 15 ml of OHN be used as an additive in the drinking water for colored broilers.
