Local feed impact on growth, egg yield, and profitability of Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken in Nekemte City, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study evaluated the feed intake, growth, egg yield and profitability of Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken fed rations formulated from locally available feed sources at Wallaga University. Ninety 42-day-old chicks were used in the study. The dietary treatments for growers includes: Feed 1. 60% crushed maize grain, 27% soybean, 6.5% lupines, 4.5% noug cake, 1.25% limestone, 0.25% salt and 0.5% premix; Feed2. 0% wheat grain, 13% soybean, 15% noug cake, 1.25% lupines, 0.25% salt and 0.5% premix and Feed3. Commercial diet (positive control). Layers ration composed of: Feed-1. 65% crushed maize grain, 20% soybean, 2.5% lupines, 8.5% noug cake, 3.25% limestone, 0.25% salt and 05% premix; Feed2. 75% wheat grain, 10% soybean, 11% noug cake, 3.25% limestone, 0.25% salt and 0.5% premix and Feed3 Commercial ration. A Completely Randomized Design with three replications was used for the experiment. The average feed intake, final body weight and daily weight gain of the grower chicken were significantly (p <0.05) increased from Feed-1 to Feed-3. Chicken fed Feed-2 ration had the highest (p < 0.05) efficiency (0.11 of eggs production. Hens consumed Feed-2 diets were the most profitable group with net return of 80.40 ETB, which was more than threefold compared to the commercial ration (23.30 ETB). The commercial ration (Feed-3) was superior in feed intake and in promoting body weight gain of the chicken while Feed-2 has resulted
in the highest efficiency of eggs production. Due to highest egg yield and low feed intake of the birds fed on Feed- 2 diets, this is the most profitable treatment in the current study. Since Feed-3 was the one most promoted growth of Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken, it may be more useful for meat yield than eggs. Generally, for more egg production and profitability, Feed-2 is recommended for Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken farming.