Effect of Paddy Straw and Wood Shavings as Alternative Bedding Materials for Broiler Chickens
Abstract
Effect of Paddy Straw and Wood Shavings as Alternative Bedding Materials for Broiler Chickens
Dileepa Shanthapriya1, Ruvini Mutucumarana1,Manula Senanayake2
1Department of Livestock Prodution, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, 70140, Sri Lanka.
2JP Poultry Products (Pvt.) Ltd., Walowitawatta, Badalgama, Sri Lanka.
Abstract
Litter materials play a crucial role in optimizing broiler performance, welfare, and environmental sustainability within the poultry industry. This study aimed to assess the effect of paddy husk (PH), wood shavings (WS) and paddy straw (PS) as alternative litter materials for performance of broilers. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) evaluating three litter materials (paddy husk: PH, WS and PS). A total of 72, 14-day old Indian River (IR) broilers were weighed (540.55+23 g) and assigned randomly to three (03) treatments. Each treatment was replicated two (02) times (12 birds/replicate). Performance of birds was recorded weekly for the period of 14-35 days. Litter material had no effect (P>0.05) on the feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality of broilers. The litter material did not have any influence (P>0.05) on the dressing percentage (DP%) of broilers. The present study demonstrates that the tested litter materials has no effect on the performance, DP% in IR broiler chickens.
Key Words: Broiler, Litter, Paddy husk,Paddy straw, Wood shavings, Growth performance
