Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Division of Livestock Production & Management, Shuhama Alusteng, Srinagar - 190 006, (J & K).
*Corresponding author: E-mail: alamkhan1231@yahoo.co.in
A study was carried out on 180 commercial broiler chicks during winter season to evaluate three alternate plant by-products viz chaffed wheat straw T1, dried tree leaves T2, wood shavings T3 as litter materials for broiler farmingvis a vis saw dust (control) T4, the conventionally used litter material under temperate agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir Valley. The chicks were brooded in batteries upto 5 days of age and there after shifted to deep litter system having four different litter materials in measured quantities and reared up to 42 days of age. Results indicated statistically in-significant difference in all the production parameters viz, final body weight; body weight gain feed consumption and FCR. The economic analysis revealed that the cost (feed cost plus litter cost) was least for T3 group where dried tree leaves were used as litter material (Rs 34.08) fallowed by Rs 34.58, 35,20 and 35.28 in the groups where wood shavings, chaffed wheat straw and saw dust were used as litter materials respectively. It is therefore concluded that dried tree leaves, wood shavings and chaffed wheat straw could also be used as litter materials in addition to saw dust, the conventionally used litter material. However dried tree leaves proved to be most economical.
Broilers, litter materials, economics
