Productive Perfomance of Arbor Acres Broilers at Different Distribution Densities during Winter in Guatemala

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of broilers from Arbor Acres breed at different distribution densities (11; 12, and 13 broilers per square meter) during winter in Guatemala. Data on 1 440 animals were assessed. Items measured were first day and week weights, food consumption, weight gain every seven days, and final food conversion rate. In addition, hen-coop temperature values and daily mortality rate were determined. Data were analyzed by means of a linear model from the least squares method (S. P. S. S, 2001), and average values as well as standard errors were estimated. A regression analysis was applied to growth curves to obtain the corresponding equations according to the best determinant coefficient (R2 = %). No significant difference was detected among treatments for first day weight, neither for treatments concerning final weight, conversion rate and mortality rate during the breeding period, which can be considered the most remarkable results. On the other hand, the applied treatments proved their efficiency in weight gain; besides, winter distribution density increase did not affect productive performance indexes. Production costs per kilogram showed better results than those reported on the reviewed literature. Therefore, these findings support the validity of all treatments for breeding and fattening during winter, especially the one for 13 broilers per square meter