Abstract

Mustafa Rahim Abro , Hakim Ali Sahito *, Azizullah Memon , Rab Nawaz Soomro , Hidayatullah Soomro1 and Nisar Ahmed Ujjan

The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of broilers in response to various percentages of animal protein (A.P) and plant protein (P.P) feed ingredients, kept at SAU, Tandojam. One hundred twenty 120 day old mixed chicks (male and female) were purchased for 42 days. Initially weighed and randomly divided in to 4 equal groups i.e. A, B, C, and D, each group having 30 chicks. They were fed different rations containing various percentages of A.P and P.P feed ingredients sources. Group A containing 20% A.P and 80% P.P (control), while group B, C and D were given 30/70, 40/60, and 50/50 percentages of A.P and P.P feed ingredients, respectively. It was noted that the different percentage of (A.P and P.P) animal protein and plant protein sources have significant (P<0.05) effect on the growth and economic parameters of broiler, but non-significant effect on edible and non-edible internal organs. The feed intake of broiler in groups A, B, C and D was 4203.37, 4240.21, 4283.98 and 4396.62 g/b; water intake (P<0.05) of broiler was 9.46, 9.51, 10.06 and 10.45 liter/b, respectively. Average live body weight (P<0.05) of broilers in groups A, B, C and D was 1896.25, 1952.39, 2022.32 and 2116.97 g/b; Feed conversion ratio was 2.03, 1.99, 1.93 and 1.84. Average carcass weight was 1138.80, 1176.60, 1252.20 and 1313.60 g/b; dressing percentage was 60.12, 61.88, 62.57 and 63.22; heart weight was 10.60, 11.00, 10.80 and 10.20 g/b; gizzard weight 56.40, 57.40, 58.80 and 59.20 g/b; liver weight 36, 38.40, 38.80 and 39 g/b and intestine weight 132.90, 137.20, 138.60 and 143.40 g/b, respectively. With increasing protein ratio of animal protein in broiler ration, there was significant (P<0.05) increase in feed and water consumption of broiler. It was observed that animal protein and plant protein percentages of 50:50% proved to be the most effective to increase broiler live body weight, improve feed conversion ratio, carcass quantity as well as net profit per broiler basis. However, there was no association of animal protein and plant protein source on the mortality rate of experimental broiler. It was concluded that 50:50 percentages of A.P and P.P feed ingredients could be considered as an optimum ratio for better broiler growth and economic profitability.