Vol. 10, Issue 8, Part D (2025)

Author(s): Reena Dodwe, Laxmi Chouhan, Anil Shinde, Girraj Goyal, Vaishali Khare, Nirmala Muwel and Harshita Pandram

Abstract: The present study was aimed to evaluate effect of early chick nutrition on growth performance and economics of production on coloured broiler chickens. A total number of 144 coloured broiler chicks (Day old) were taken and divided into four treatments with T₁ (immediate fed), T₂ (12 hrs fed), T₃ (24 hrs fed) and T₄ (36 hrs fed) to study the effect of early nutrition on the performance of coloured broiler. The experiment was conducted in a floor house having individual pens on either side of the central passage with deep litter system. Response criteria were weekly body weight, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency and economics of production. At the end of feeding trial (8 weeks) T₁ and T₂ reported significantly higher (p<0.05) live body weight and feed intake than T₃ and T₄ treatment groups. Cumulative feed conversion ratio were significantly (p<0.05) better in T₁ group compare to other treatments. Overall performance of body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were highest in immediate fed followed by 12 hrs fasted groups, while fasting for 24 and 36 hrs reduced performance and overall efficiency. Cost of feed consumed per kg weight gain reported lower in immediately fed (T₁) group compared to other fasted group. It may be concluded that feed deprivation up to 12 hours did not negatively affect growth performance and economics of production but feed withdrawal for 24 and 36 hours adversely affected performance, highlighting the importance of early feeding for optimal broiler performance. The feed deprivation up to 12 hrs is recommended but beyond this it adversely affects the overall production performance.