Performance of two broilers commercial lines reared in different housing systems.

Abstract

This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the ration consumption (RC), weight gain (WG), feed conversion (FC), productive efficiency index (PEI) and production per unit of area (PUA) in the periods: I (1-28 days), II (29-45 days) and Total (1-45 days) as well as viability (V) in the periods I and II, of two broilers commercial lines (Arbor Acres (A) and Hubbard (H)) reared in three housing systems (1-box; 2-metalic batteries and 3 - barn) in 2x3 factorial scheme. The stocking densities utilized were 12 chicks/m2. Four hundred sixty eight chicks were used in a randomized design. Commercial ration was given containing 22 and 19% of crude protein in the periods I and II, respectively. The different lines had significant effects on RC in periods I, II and Total, with the highest mean observed for the line H. The WG, PEI and PUA, in periods I and Total were influenced by different lines, with the lowest means for line A. The different housing systems influenced significantly the RC and WG in periods I, II and Total. The FC means, in periods I and Total, and PEI and PUA were significantly influenced by the housing systems. The interaction of line x housing systems had no significant effects on all studied characteristics.