Broiler Parent Stock Production in Bangladesh: Growth Performance and Uniformity in Open-Sided Houses under Restricted Feeding

Experiments were conducted to investigate the growth performance of two broiler parent stocks of foreign origin reared in open-sided houses following restricted feeding programme. One hundred seventy seven and 120 day-old broiler parent chicks belonging to strain A and B, respectively were reared at Bangladesh Agricultural University Poultry Farm in two different trials from day-old to commencement of laying. Compound balanced parent feeds were offered to chicks and feed allocation was controlled at the end of each week during 3–22 weeks of age and then fortnightly on the basis of comparison between target body weight and achieved body weight. Body weight and feed consumption data were compared with their respective standards. Flock uniformity was calculated and evaluated from 8 weeks prior to the point of pre-breeder period (22 weeks). Livability data were also evaluated. It can be concluded from the observations that (i) target body weight of broiler parent stocks of foreign origin was close to the standard under Bangladesh conditions; (ii) flock uniformity was either acceptable or close to the acceptable value particularly for females but varied between sex; (iii) sexual maturity was delayed inspite of achievement of body weight close to the target; (iv) the effect of stress on growth and uniformity may be minimized in open-sided houses but difficult to eliminate completely under Bangladesh conditions and (v) livability during the rearing period was satisfactory.