Performance of broiler chicks under kargil conditions

The performance of commercial broiler with replacement of maize and fishmeal with wheat, barley and detoxified apricot oil cake in the finisher ration was studied under Kargil condition. 120 birds (day old) divided into 2 groups (60 each, 15 × 4 replicates), each group fed same starter ration up to 4th week of age and finisher ration with maize and fishmeal to the group I and replacing the feeds with locally available feeds in group II upto 8th weeks of age. Blood parameters viz., glucose, hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count (TEC), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC) and different leukocyte count (DLC) were statistically similar in both the groups. Weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) in group I was 1590.28 g and 2.31, respectively whereas in group II, respective values were 1482.57 g and 2.34, respectively. Mortality percent (6.60 vs. 8.30 in group I and II), dressing percent (72.64 vs. 71.57 in group I and II) and other slaughter traits viz., blood loss, feather loss, leg, breast, back and neck weight and various organ's weight were statistically similar in both the groups. It was concluded from the present experiment that locally available feeds i.e., wheat, barley and detoxified apricot oilcake may be used safely in the finisher ration for optimum growth, without affecting carcass quality under Kargil conditions.