EFFECT OF SEX SEPARATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILERS RAISED TO MATURITY - Sam, I.M., Akpa, G.N., Alphonsus. C., G. I. Iyeghe-Erakpotobor and Agubosi O.C.P (original) (raw)

The effect of rearing method (mixed sex, separate males and separate females) on the growth characteristics of broiler birds was studied from day old to 18 weeks of age. Method of rearing had significant effect (P<0.05) on all the growth and performance characteristics (live weight, weight gain, and rate of increase in live weight and weight gain) studied. The mixed sex group had higher live weight and weight gain at 4 and 8 weeks of age but was overtaken by the male sex group at 12 and 18 weeks of age. Regardless of the rearing method, the live weight and weight gain of the birds increased at increasing rate from day old to 12 weeks of age, and then increased at decreasing rate to 18 weeks of age. The live weight increased at the rate of 85.83, 164.58, 219.44, and 190.74 g/bird/week at 4, 8, 12, and 18 weeks, respectively in the males sex group. While the increasing rate in the mixed sex group was 101.25, 170.83, 191.67, and 175.93g/bird/week at 4, 8, 12 and 18 weeks of age, respectively. The live weight increase in the female sex group was 84.83,143.85, 177.75 and 155.70g/bird/week at 4, 8, 12 and 18 week of age, respectively. The effect of rearing method on the most economic parts of the broilers (breast weight, thigh weight and back weight) was significant (P<0.05) in all the sex groups except breast weight at 18 weeks and back weight at 4 and 8 weeks of age. This study therefore suggest that rearing of broilers from day old to 8 weeks of age might be economically beneficial when reared as mixed sexes rather than separate sexes KEYWORDS: Broilers, rearing method mixed sex, separate male and separate female