INVESTIGATION ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF CROSS-BRED (RIR X FAYOUMI, Ft) COCKERELS AT DIFFERENT AGES

Abstract

The research was conducted to investigate the profitable market age of Cross-bred (RIR X Fayoumi) cockerel reared for meat purpose on semi-scavenging system. One hundred and twenty birds were used in the experiment which was distributed randomly into 4 groups such as AI, A2, A3 and A4 depending on rearing age. Each group contains 10 birds. Data on group AI, A2, A3 and A4 were recorded at the age of 12, 14, 16 and 18 weeks respectively with similar type of ration. The data of the present study showed that average live weight of the birds at 12, 14, 16 and 18 weeks were 738.33g, 919.00g, 1099.33g and 1276.67g respectively and all the treatment groups were significantly different (P<O.OS) among them. Feed intake was varying from 34S7.33g to 6S3S.00g and all the treatment groups were significantly different (P<O.OS) at S% level. The FCR value was significantly lower (P<O.OS) in Al (4.68) and followed by A2 (4.91), A3 (4.9S) and A4 (S.12). Lower FCR value indicates positive performance. The lower mortality mean value 6.67% was found in A2 and no significant differences was found among the treatments. The mortality mean value was 8.33%, but no significant difference (P>O.OS) was found in mortality. The cost benefit ratio (CBR) of A2 (1.14) and A3 (1.14) groups were significantly higher (P<O.OS) than Al(1.09) and A4 (1.11) groups, no difference (P>O.OS) was found between A2 & A3 and Al & A4 groups. The dressing % and carcass parts of AI, A2, A3 and A4 were statistically non significant (P>O.OS). According to Cost Benefit Analysis, 14 weeks were the best profitable marketing age for sonali cross-bred male chicken, although dressing percent and carcass weight percent of breast, thigh, drumsticks, back, wings and neck was not affected(P>0.05) by different age groups.