The Growth of Broiler Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Treated with Commercial Feeds and Fermented Corn Malunggay Seed and Oyster Shell Mixture

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Poultry in the Philippines has been a significant contributor to the country's agriculture sector, considering the economic status of our country and the high cost of commercial chicken feeds in the market, poultry farmers can't afford buying it. Even in industrial agriculture or commercial poultry farming, feed serves as the largest cost of the operation. This problem will eventually affect the poultry industry as it will limit poultry production. This study aimed to determine and compare the effects of commercial feeds and fermented corn, malunggay seeds and oyster shells mixture on the masses and height of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

METHODS

The cages were labeled as set-up A (Control) Commercial Feeds and set-up B (Experimental) Fermented feeds. There were 5 chickens as replicates for each of the treatments. Observation on the said parameters was done every day for three weeks from day 7 to day 28 of age of the broiler chickens. This study does not include the temperature, amount of sunlight and the kind of cage where the chickens stored. Proper ventilation, beddings and water were provided. Accurate measurements were determined by weight of oyster shells , corn and malunggay seeds. These were used in preparing fermented feed by means of Lacto-Fermentation to produce the best result.

RESULTS

The controlled set-up showed the greatest height of broiler chickens with an average of 13.3cm during week 1, 17.2cm during week 2 and on week 3 it had an average of 19.86cm. On the other hand, the experimental set-up had an average height of 12.5cm during week 1, 17 cm on week 2 and week 3 with an average of 19.2 cm. In terms of mass, commercial feeds showed the greatest mass in broiler chickens with an average of 95.2g during week 1, 135.8g during week 2 and on week 3 it had an average of 155g. On the other hand, fermented feeds had an average height of 81.6g during week 1, 126.4g on week 2 and week 3 with an average of 147.2g. An adaptation period of several weeks is required on the use of lacto-fermented feed for chickens to see benefits in chickens that were previously given dry feed.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the result of the ANOVA test at p<0.05 level of significance, it showed that there is no significant difference between the effect of commercial feeds and fermented feeds on the masses and height of the broiler chickens. This study has shown that commercial feeds are comparable with fermented corn, malunggay seeds and oyster shells mixture as alternative chicken feeds.