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A Comparative Study of the Performance of Noiler and Broiler Birds in Tropical Humid Zone (South-East Nigeria)

1Obienyem, J.N., 2*Ezebo, R.O., 3Ozoh, C.N. and 4Omumuabuike, J.N.

1Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Anambra State Polytechnic, P.M.B. 002, Mgbakwu, Anambra State, Nigeria.

2Department of Botany Faculty of Bioscience, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

3Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewery, Faculty of Bioscience, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

4Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

*Correspondence:esau_056@yahoo.com

 

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of broiler and noiler birds. A total of 36 (thirty-six) day old unsexed broiler (Casacada) and noiler birds were sourced from Ibadan, South-western and Amo Farm from Owerri, South-eastern Nigeria respectively. After brooding, the chicks were randomly divided into two treatment groups of eighteen birds each. They were replicated twice and were fed with equal amount of commercial broiler finisher. The feed intake, feed conversion ratio and body weight gain were determined. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the two treatments with the highest weight gain in T2 at 1.885kg and the lowest weight gain in T1 at 1.237kg. There was a significant increase in the body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of broiler birds across the treatments. It was therefore, concluded that broiler birds have better feed efficiency than the noilers.  

Keywords: Comparative, Study, Performance, Noiler, Broiler, Birds, Humid, Zone, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

As the population of Nigeria continues to increase in a geometric pattern, food supply particularly, protein supply lags behind in arithmetic pattern. [1], have stated that one of the ways of increasing protein supply for the Nigerian population is through broiler production. Broilers are poultry birds used mainly for meat, and in recent years occupied a leading role in meeting the animal protein need of people worldwide [2]. The high price of conventional poultry feed ingredients in Nigeria has increased the feeding cost to about 80% of the total cost of production [3]; [4]. This is due to the stiff competition between human and monogastric animals for the already scarce conventional feed resources [5]; [6]. The resultant effects have been low production level, narrow profit margin and collapse of the once prosperous poultry farms. In the present time, the choice of feed is determined to a large extent by price rather than by quality of feed [7]. This development has also contributed to the indiscriminate appearance of new commercial feeds in the market, the quality of such commercial feeds being doubtful because no quality grading system is in place. Chickens have short generation interval and therefore are the choice animal species for achieving sustainable and rapid production of animal protein for human consumption [8]  Unlike other forms of animals (livestock) that have either or both cultural taboos and religious prohibitions attached to them, the chickens have neither restrictions in all parts of Nigeria [9]. [10], also reported that poultry, particularly broilers are fast growing birds, with high feed efficiency, reaching the required market weight of 2 kg within eight to twelve weeks (8 – 12 weeks) of age. In a world where malnutrition and starvation stare the entire human race at the face, it is amazing that there exist some agro-industrial by-products lying waste, which could be utilized for increased food production, especially livestock and poultry, to supply protein [5]. In cases where agricultural by-products are utilized, they are inappropriately or grossly under-utilized; not withstanding their favourable yield characteristics and relatively lower cost [11]. This study evaluated the comparative performance of noiler and broiler birds in tropical humid zone of South-east Nigeria.

CONCLUSION

The result of this study showed that broilers performed better in terms of body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio than their noiler counterparts. The results revealed that the average amount of feed it took the broilers to reach the market weight of 1.885kg at nine weeks was 4.575kg whereas it took the noilers 3.605kg to attain the market weight of 1.237kg at the same number of weeks. Hence, the broiler birds have better feed efficiency than the noilers.

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CITE AS: Obienyem, J. N., Ezebo, R. O., Ozoh, C. N. and Omumuabuike, J. N. (2023). A Comparative Study of the Performance of Noiler and Broiler Birds in Tropical Humid Zone (South-East Nigeria) IDOSR JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES 8(3) 147-150. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/2023/10.2.1421

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