A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF COBB 500 BROILER PARENT STOCK AMONG THREE RENOWNED FARMS OF CHITTAGONG

Abstract

A study was carried out in three renowned breeder farms in Chittagong district of Bangladesh. The objectives of the study were to compare the management practices and production performances of parent breeder stock of about 29800 Cobb 500 strain reared in those farms (farm A, B and C). The duration of the study was August 10 to August 30’ 2016 which was done on 18-50 weeks of ages of birds. Relevant information’s related to management of birds (i.e. housing feeding, lighting, vaccination schedule, temperature management, bio-security etc.) were recorded from register book of farms and compared with the standard. Data related to production performance (i.e. feed intake by male and females, live weight, egg production etc.) were also recorded and analyzed. It was revealed that farm A, B and C maintained standard management systems. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in feed intake by female breeders of three farms though it differed significantly (P<0.05) in males and was higher in farm B and C in comparison with farm A. However, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed among body weight of male and female birds of farm A, B and C. Egg production was insignificantly (P>0.05) higher in farm B compared to farm A and B. Peak egg production in farm A was observed at 30th weeks (90%), farm B at 31- 42th weeks (95%) and farm C at 32th weeks (91%). From the study it was evident that there were fewer differences in existing management systems of farm A, B and C. Cob 500 performed well in that system. Insignificant amount of differences were observed among the production data of three farms almost in all parameters. It was also noted that production performance in a breeder farm depends mainly on the management practices and there is a negative correlation between the feed intake and egg production of birds.