Vol. 10, Special Issue 6 (2021)

Author(s):
KD Singh, PS Pramanik, Subodh Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, AK Srivastav and MK Verma

Abstract:
The research was conducted to investigate the impact of stocking density (i.e., I.C.A.R., Venky^,s and Amrit recommendations) on gait score & mortality in broiler chickens. A 500 day-old straight run commercial broiler strain “VENCOB” chicks were divided in two batches. Each batch was subdivided in 3 equal groups namely Gr 1 (I.C.A.R.), Gr 2 (Venky^,s) and Gr 3 (Amrit). All the birds were raised on pucca floor with saw dust as litter material providing equal managemental practices. Walking ability was accessed at weekly interval up to 6 weeks of observation. The gait scoring system followed in the present study was Modified gait scoring system developed by Garner et al. (2002). Daily mortality of birds was recorded in morning hours &mortality rate was calculated weekly. The lowest and highest% of birds showing GS 0 under I.C.A.R. recommendation of stocking density have been found to be 83.93+0.64% (week 4) and 92.86+0.40% (week 6) respectively. Similarly the corresponding proportion of birds showing GS 1 were 6.07+0.78% (week 1) and 13.93+0.64% (week 4) respectively. Comparatively lesser % of birds show GS 2 and the lowest and highest L.S. means % of this were 0.00+0.40% (week 6) and 3.21+0.82% (week 3) respectively. Venky’s & Amrit’s observation were also similar as I.C.A.R. recommendation has been observed. Overall it has been observed that% of birds showing GS 0 was significantly more in I.C.A.R. followed by Amrit and Venky’s during this study. However, highest% of birds showing GS 1 was recorded in Venky’s recommendation followed by Amrit and I.C.A.R. Whereas, less than 5% birds exhibited GS 2 in this study in respective of stocking densities. There was no significant difference regarding% of birds with GS 2 in three stocking densities during all the weeks except at week 4. The overall mortality (%) was less than 5% over weeks under each placement densities. No significant difference was observed among mortality rates of broiler chickens under these three stocking densities during all the weeks studied. From present study, this can be concluded that leg health and walking ability was comparatively better under I.C.A.R. recommendation followed by Amrit and Venky’s. However, effect of stocking density on mortality was non significant among three stocking.