Effect of litter type and stocking density on the performance of broilers

Two hundred and forty day-old, broiler chicks were reared on fresh and dry wheat straw (T₁ and T₂) and paddy straw (T₃ and T₄) litters. Birds were kept at a stocking density of 0.15 sq m/bird in T₁ and T₃ and stocking density of 0.18 sq m/bird in T₂ and T₄ by using pens of 2.25 sq m and 2.7 sq m, size, respectively. Better feed conversion ratio (1.89) was observed in birds reared at 0.18 sq m/bird suggesting more economic returns. The various carcass characteristics were not influenced by litter type or stocking density. The net profit per kilogram body weight was lowest (Rs. 1.83) in T₁ (wheat straw litter and stocking density of 0.15 sq m./bird) and highest (Rs. 3.54) for T₂ (wheat straw litter and stocking density of 0.18 sq m./bird).