Effect of modified shelter arrangements on growth performance, stress and water usage of commercial broilers in hot and humid climate

Abstract

The current research was conducted to study the effect of modified shelter arrangements on commercial broiler’s performance and water usage in hot and humid climatic regions. Ninety six commercial Vencobb broiler chicks of one week of age were segregated into four groups with three replicates having eight chicks per replicate, viz. TA (asbestos roof as control), TAG (asbestos roof with gunny bags screen), TH (modified asbestos with thatched roof), and THG (modified asbestos with thatched roof with gunny bags as the screen). The overall maximum temperature of the asbestos group’s experimental sheds throughout the trial period was substantially greater than that of the thatch group. Significantly, the highest THI was seen in the TAG shed. The cumulative body weight gain was significantly highest in TH shed. The cumulative FCR and performance indices of the thatched group were found to be significantly better than the asbestos group. The net profit/bird and net profit/kg were better in the TH group. According to behavioural studies, the panting rate rose with age in weeks but was much lower in the thatched group. Serum corticosterone levels were considerably lower in the TH and THG groups than in the asbestos roof groups. In hot and humid locations, modified asbestos with a thatched roof may be suitable for commercial broiler poultry.