PERFORMANCE OF CHICKENS OF LITTER CREATED IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF BED AND TAX OF CAPACITY

Abstract

This experiment aimed to determine the effect of three different types of litter and two stocking density (10 and 12 birds/m2) in the performance of broilers in two phases (1 to 28 days and 29 to 42 days). 264 Hubbard male and female chicks were allotted in randomized blocks design in a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with four replications per treatment. The parameters evaluated were: weight gain, feed intake and feed to gain ratio. No significative effect (P>0.05) was observed of types of litter in both periods, and a difference (P<0.01) for weight gain (1.05 and 0.61 kg), feed intake (1.49 and 1.93 kg) and feed to gain ratio (1.41 and 2.72). No effect (P>0.05) to stocking density on weight gain, but difference was observed (P<0.01 and P<0.05) for feed intake and feed to gain ratio. In general, the better performance of broilers occurred in first period and 12 bird/m2 is recommended. KEY WORDS: Broiler production, litter, stocking density