The effect of day-old weights on performance of the broilers

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of day-old weights on performance of broilers. 150 day-old broiler chicks were divided into three equal groups depending on their body weights viz. A (30–35 g), B (35.1^0 g) and C (40.1–45 g). The average day-old weights were 33.62, 37.53 and 42.69 gfor groups A, B and C, respectively. The corresponding live weights at end of five weeks were 1306.05, 1350.56 and 1449.72 g. The birds from group C weighed significantly higher than groups A and B. The significant effect of day-old weight was also supported by significant correlation between day-old weight and weight at end of fifth week for males and pooled data of males and females but was not significant for pooled data of females. The regression of weight at fifth week on day-old body weights was also significant for males and for pooled data of males and females. The total gain in weights of birds from groups A to C were 1272.43, 1313.03 and 1407.03 g, respectively. The group C gained significantly more weights than groups A and B. The total feed consumption per bird during five weeks of period for group A to C were 2881.31, 2864.32 and 2988.79 g while FCR was 2.11, 2.02 and 1.98, respectively. The apparent differences among average feed consumption of birds from different groups were statistically non-significant. Birds from groups B and C had significantly better FCR than the birds from group A. The net profit per kg was Rs. 4.98, 6.26 and 7.76 for birds from groups A to C, respectively. The group C recorded higher net profit per kg than other groups. The differences in all parameters of carcass evaluation studies were statistically non-significant except gizzard weight percentage. Hence, due consideration should be given to initial body weights of chicks in broiler production, as it plays an important role in deciding growth performance of birds.