Growth Performance and Profitability of Broilers with Vermi Meal on Fermented Ration Under Two Management Systems

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the different levels of vermi (Eisenia fetida) meal on fermented ration in broiler chicken growth and profitability under two management systems. For this purpose, 120 day old broiler chickens (cobb vantress) were tested in a Completely Randomized Design with four (4) dietary treatments: first, the commercial feeds (control), second, 2% vermi meal+local ingredients, third, 3% vermi meal+local ingredients and fourth, 5% vermi meal+local ingredients in three (3) replications where 15 broilers were randomly distributed in the pens. The result revealed that the total confinement system had higher body weight and weight gain with a slight difference of 35. 60 grams and 36.90 grams respectively compared to that of free- range system that had lesser feed consumption with difference of 81.10 grams and high in net income and Return of Investment (ROI). In relation to feed ration, feed consumption increased when given higher percentage of vermi and it was significantly different from the commercial feeds. In three (3) different levels of vermi meal, though they didn't have significant difference to each other, the 2% level of vermi meal was comparable to commercial feeds and showed a difference in terms of body weight of 296.70 grams in TC; 326.00 grams in FR. In terms of weight gain 296.67 grams in TC and 370.97 grams in FR in both management systems. Consequently, 2% level vermi meal had an optimum result in final body weight, weight gain and high in feed conversion.